21 years on, The Boys is still timeless

In 1991 audiences were lining the streets to see the original Griffin production of The Boys, starring David Wenham in one of his first stage roles. 21 years on, The Boys has been re-imagined for a new generation in this year’s Sydney Festival.

Having become a classic of the Australian stage and screen, winning along its way an AWGIE and four AFI Awards, The Boys is returning home in a brand new production directed by Griffin’s Artistic Director Sam Strong, set to open tomorrow night at the SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross.

“I feel very honoured to be directing a new production of The Boys on the 21st anniversary of the legendary Griffin original,” says Strong. “The Boys is a terrifyingly timeless examination of the culture of male violence. But the most important thing about The Boys is what it does to you. This is a uniquely confronting experience in the theatre – and one made all the more intense and unforgettable for being brought to life in the intimacy of the Stables Theatre.”

The Boys is also a homecoming for some of its cast. Josh McConville (playing the role of Brett Sprague) burst onto the Griffin and Australian stage in 2009, winning the Best Newcomer Sydney Theatre Award for his performances in Strange Attractor and The Call for Griffin. Since then, he’s been named in the ’10 next big stage actors’ and appeared in numerous Sydney Theatre Company productions including In the Next Room and Gross und Klein. Jeanette Cronin, who most recently starred in the ABC’s hit series Crownies, will be returning to the play after starring in the film of The Boys. Josh and Jeanette will be joined by a cast of Sydney’s most exciting young acting talent for a new production that is sure to be a powerful, dangerous and visceral experience.

The Boys officially opens on the 11th January and runs until 3 March 2012. Book tickets via www.griffintheatre.com.au or call (02) 9361 3817.

For performers who work a regular Tuesday-Sunday week, there is a special Monday Rush (supported by Foxtel) – all tickets unsold one hour prior to performance are $15 (max 2 tickets per person)!

THE BOYS
by Gordon Graham

Venue: SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross
Opening Nights: 11 & 12 January
Season: 13 January – 3 March
Performance times: Monday-Saturday 7pm, Saturday matinee 2pm

Director: Sam Strong
Designer: Renée Mulder
Composer: Kelly Ryall
Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson
With Johnny Carr, Cheree Cassidy, Josh McConville, Jeanette Cronin, Anthony Gee, Louisa Mignone, Eryn-Jean Norvill

Image by: Brett Boardman