Shift Out Sharon Strzelecki Crash Theatre Hits The Court At Melbourne Fringe with Lady Macbeth in Wing Defence

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution Thursday 12 September 2024

CRASH THEATRE COMPANY

Presents

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence

Shift Out Sharon Strzelecki Crash Theatre Hits The Court At Melbourne Fringe with Lady Macbeth in Wing Defence

Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024 October 2nd – 4th
ETU Ballroom, Trades Hall

“the performers themselves are universally excellent, bringing a youthful

exuberance and glee to the production.” Fringe World FringeFeed

“The funniest reimagining of Macbeth you’ll ever see.” and a half Pelicans, Pelican Magazine

“A little bit Mean Girls, and a little bit Pitch Perfect, all wrapped up in a modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.” Weekend Notes

“Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence is a fun, engaging, hilarious evening of entertainment.” ArtsReview

“Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence may well be the best piece of theatre about girls in sport since Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves.” Stage Whispers

“This show was the definition of an ensemble piece, with every actor getting the opportunity to shine.” Theatre Reviews Perth

WINNER OF THE ADELAIDE FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD 2024 WINNER OF THE MARTIN SIMS AWARD 2024

Crash Theatre Company shoots and scores with an electrifying theatrical experience and new, original Australian musical for Melbourne Fringe Festival this October with Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence. Get ready for hot and sporty girl power like you’ve never seen before. With power moves, pivots and literally, all the plot twists of a Shakespearean play. This award-winning show will play Melbourne Fringe for three nights only before touring to Perth, Bunbury and Adelaide in 2025.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence debuted at Perth’s 2024 FRINGE WORLD Festival followed by a sold-out encore at the popular Rechabite Main Hall. The production received resounding acclaim, achieving five-star reviews and taking home two of the biggest awards at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony. Crash Theatre Co received the Adelaide Tour Ready Award presented by Adelaide Fringe, and was also presented with Artrage’s premier accolade, the Martin Sims Award – recognising Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence as the best new Western Australian work that is destined to succeed on the world’s stage. The Award is named in honour of Martin Sims, former Chairperson of Artrage (the presenter of FRINGE WORLD) and a life-long advocate for the arts in WA.

In a thrilling Shakespearean twist on the netball court, Mac Beth passionately pursues the coveted title of Year 12 Netball Captain of the Dunsinane Hell-Hounds. In a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption, Coach Duncan’s decision sparks a fierce battle for leadership. The Dagger Divas, a trio of dreamy melodies (think Dreamgirls but Mean Girls), visits Mac in her slumbers, echoing the bard’s famous ghostly encounters. They fuel her with the fire to overcome adversity and fight on. Amid accusations and plot twists, Mac’s determination leads her to the brink of glory. But her reckless actions take her to the edge of despair, creating suspicion and fear among her teammates. As alliances shift and friendships fracture, a climactic showdown awaits the netball battlefield. Will Mac’s relentless drive for success ultimately lead to her triumph, or banishment? As the final buzzer sounds, all is revealed.

This energetic production breathes new life into a literary classic and is fuelled by an electrifying soundscape of electronic pop-synth compositions created by award-winning vocalist, DJ, and music producer, PROJECT BEXX (Bec Price). Since its

highly successful debut, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence has left audiences exhilarated, creating an overwhelming demand for school presentations and a national Australian tour kicking off in September 2024.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence is led by co-directors Ana Ferreira Manhoso and Courtney McManus who in this production make their musical theatre debut. The story delves deep into the dangerous realms of unchecked ambition while highlighting the fierce determination and competitive spirit of teenage girls on the netball court. Presented by an all-female powerhouse team of Western Australian artists, audiences are invited to step onto the court of this contemporary turmoil that entangles the timeless allure of Shakespearean drama. Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence isn’t just another musical; it’s a vibrant cultural touchstone set to ignite across stages globally. The show serves as a catalyst, for the gender equality crusade, inviting audiences not just to an electrifying experience of music, dance and theatre, but to reinforce the vision for a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable future for women in sports.

The production will be presented to a schools audience with a curriculum-aligned creative learning program at Subiaco Arts Centre from 9 – 12 September 2024. Following this, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence will debut nationally at the Sydney Fringe Festival from 26 – 30 September before heading to the Melbourne Fringe Festival from 2 – 5 October 2024. The tour will continue in 2025 as the show travels to Perth, Bunbury and Adelaide for the Fringe Festivals.

Ends.
For media enquiries or to review the show contact Bronny Lane, Publicist bronwen@littletrain.com.au | 0413 221 252 See you on the court, b!tch 💋

CAST

Mac Beth performed by Orla Jean Poole [she/her]
Coach Duncan performed by Courtney McManus [she/her] Summer Banquo performed by Kate Sisley [she/her]
Chloe Macduff performed by Shannon Rogers [she/her] Mia Porter performed by Ana Ferreira Manhoso [she/her] Jess Malcolm performed by Gabriella Munro [she/her] Brooke Ross performed by Georgia McGivern [she/her] Ashley Donalbain performed by Emily Semple [she/her]

CREW

Director & Music Composer, Bec Price [she/they]
Writer, Courtney McManus [she/her]
Lyricists, Bec Price [she/they], Courtney McManus [she/her] & Ana Ferreira Manhoso [she/her] Creative Producer & Marketing, Ana Ferreira Manhoso [she/her]
Stage Manager & Operations, Ella Cooke [she/they]
Choreographer, Shannon Rogers [she/her]
Production Designer, Rachel Porter [she/her]

CONTENT WARNINGS

Occasional Coarse Language, Strobe Lighting, Age Suitability – PG

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @crashtheatre.co

WEBSITE

www.crashtheatre.com.au

MEDIA KIT

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tMc8t3a82WjhehmSuy_pmOdbSzd6HxLY?usp=share_link

Crash Theatre Company would like to acknowledge the support of the Western Australian State Government, through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.