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''Calpurnia Descending' sends up the dangers of fame with the tale of Beverly Dumont – a reclusive, drunken, Depression-era Broadway washout. Beverly limps towards obscurity until a naive ingénue appears offering a final shot at glory. It’s the role of a lifetime, but the chalice soon proves poisoned and both women are drawn into a world of paranoia, sleaze and bloody, unrelenting ambition.
'The latest work from queer ‘DIY’ theatre duo Sisters Grimm ('The Sovereign Wife', 'Little Mercy') stars the inimitable Paul Capsis ('Angela’s Kitchen') and Ash Flanders. Rich in wit and piercing cultural critique, this fabulously entertaining work takes two of Australia’s finest male actresses and ignites a backstage Battle Royale.' (Source: Malthouse website)
Production Details
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A Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre co-production.
Performed at Sydney Theatre Company (Wharf 2) 9 October - 8 November 2014.
Performed at Malthouse Theatre (Merlyn Theatre) 12 - 30 November 2014.
Director: Declan Greene.
Set & Costume Designer: David Fleischer.
Lighting Designer: Katie Sfetkidis.
AV Designer: Matthew Gingold.
Cast includes Paul Capsis and Ash Flanders.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Classic Hollywood Set-up Delightfully Goes beyond Parody and Drag
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 13 October 2014; (p. 15)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama -
Camp Comedy Packed with Surprises
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13 October 2014; (p. 15)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama -
Grimm End for Star on the Demise
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 October 2014; (p. 5)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama 'The old-school diva is set for a shake-up in the outrageous Calpurnia Descending, writes Elissa Blake.' -
Capsis Returns to the Sydney Stage as a Naughty Puppet Master
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 29-30 March 2014; (p. 11)
-
Grimm End for Star on the Demise
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 October 2014; (p. 5)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama 'The old-school diva is set for a shake-up in the outrageous Calpurnia Descending, writes Elissa Blake.' -
Camp Comedy Packed with Surprises
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13 October 2014; (p. 15)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama -
Classic Hollywood Set-up Delightfully Goes beyond Parody and Drag
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian , 13 October 2014; (p. 15)
— Review of Calpurnia Descending 2014 single work drama -
Capsis Returns to the Sydney Stage as a Naughty Puppet Master
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 29-30 March 2014; (p. 11)