Critical Stages

From Sydney, NSW.

DEALER'S CHOICE
by Patrick Marber

Presented by Albedo Theatre

Previous Success: A sell-out season for 28 performances. setting a box office record at the Old Fitzroy Hotel Theatre. Best Independent Production 2004, Sun Herald
Genre: Comedy/drama
Duration: 1 hour 50min (two acts, plus interval)
Suits: Large and medium size theatres
Minimum Stage: 7m wide, 6m deep, 3m high
Available for Touring: 2008, 2009

List of Dates & Venues

Winner of Writer's Guild Award for Best West End Play and Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. 

Dealers Choice was the winner of the Writers’ Guild Award for Best West End Play and also winner of Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. Set in a restaurant after closing time, it’s usually the same old guys and their weekly ‘friendly’ poker game, but on this particular night there is a ring-in. There is one last diner guest lurking in the restaurant who volunteers to join the game. Unknown to the amateur poker players, he is a mean, uncompromising professional gambler, owed a large sum of money by the restaurant owner’s compulsive son.

In the build-up to the inevitable poker game, the men’s lives are revealed, resentments are stripped bare and secrets divulged. The final act involving the game, crackles with scalding wit and edge-of-your-seat suspense as the stakes are driven to an almost unbearable knife-edge.

Dealers Choice is much more than just a comedy. It is a compelling and compassionate story about father-son, relationships, men’s bravado and the search for direction and connection.

Well known veteran actor David Webb plays the boss and heads up a brilliant ensemble cast; David Terry as Sweeney, the man who just can’t say no, Ashley Lyons as Frankie the womaniser, Christopher Stollery as Ash, the tough professional poker player, Sam North as the hapless gambling son, and John Leary as Mugsy, the mug!!

“It’s a very good play given a fine direction by Craig Ilott.”   Sydney Morning Herald.

“Craig Ilott’s excellent production of Dealer’s Choice catches not just the play’s humour and macho swagger... but also the fear... Highly recommended.”  Sun Herald.

Dealers Choice couldn’t have been done any better. It provides the perfect mix of actors, a strong script, wonderful direction and a perfect night of entertainment.”   Broadway Australia

Director Craig Ilott
Set Design Nicholas Dare

Lighting Design
Matthew Marshall
Original Co-Producer Katie Millington

Originally co-produced with The Old Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney

For more information email Luke Cowling: luke@criticalstages.com.au or phone 02 9331 3107

Photography by Nicholas Dare, Ingvar Kenne and Tom Evangelidis


DATES VENUE TOWN STATE
10-11 July 2009 QUT Gardens Theatre Brisbane QLD
14-25 July 2009 Glen Street theatre Belrose NSW
28 July - 1 August 2009 Civic PLayhouse  Newcastle NSW
4-5 August 2009 Casula Powerhouse Liverpool NSW
7-8 August 2009 Glasshouse Port Macquarie NSW
11-15 August 2009 Lennox Theatre Parramatta NSW
19-20 August 2009 Peninsular Theatre Gosford NSW
22 August 2009 Albury Convention and Performing Arts Centre Albury NSW
25 August 2009 Colac Otway Performing Arts and Convention Centre Colac   VIC
29 August 2009 Karralyka Centre Ringwood East VIC
3 September 2009 Drum Theatre Dandenong VIC
4-5 September 2009 Frankston Arts Centre Frankston   VIC
11-12 September 2009 Whitehorse Centre Nunawading VIC
15 September 2009 Arts Centre Warragul Warragul VIC
16-17 September 2009 Clocktower Theatre Moonee Ponds VIC
19 September 2009 Hamilton Performing Arts Centre Hamilton   VIC
22-23 September 2009 Theatre Royal Hobart TAS
25-26 September 2009 Princess Theatre Launceston TAS
2 October 2009 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre Mandurah   WA
3 October 2009 Bunbury Entertainment Centre Bunbury   WA
7 October 2009 Queens Park Theatre Geraldton WA
10 October 2009 Town Hall Theatre Albany    WA
15-17 October 2009 Jetty Memorial Theatre Coffs Harbour NSW
23-24 October 2009 Townsville Civic Theatre Townsville   QLD
28 October 2009 Darwin Entertainment Centre Darwin   NT