Colin Friels to Star in State Theatre Company & Belvoir Theatre's MORTIDO

State Theatre Company is delighted to collaborate with Sydney's legendary Belvoir Theatre on this scintillating new Australian play. Melbourne Theatre Company's Leticia Ca?ceres directs star of screen and stage Colin Friels in Mortido-a crime thriller, revenge tragedy and contemporary morality play all rolled into one.

Leticia Ca?ceres said "Angela Betzien's boundless theatrical imagination makes directing her plays feel like an extreme sport, nothing is more challenging, rewarding, or fun. To finally unleash our brand of Australian Gothic theatre on adult audiences, starring
the theatrical beast that is Colin Friels, alongside one of Australia's young actors, Tom Conroy, is an absolute thrill. Mortido is going to be a rush!"

Beginning with a Mexican fable about death and crashing its way through Sydney's Western suburbs, Germany and South America, Mortido's narrative is strong, powerful and highly engaging. The story follows three individuals on a quest for a life of comfort-Jimmy (a small-time cocaine dealer), Monte (a biggish-time distributor) and Grubbe (a detective). For Jimmy and Monte, the prize is wealth and good times; and for Grubbe, quiet retirement after a life spent doggedly trying to trace and defeat the king pins of Sydney's drug trade.

Australian Writer's Guild Award winner Angela Betzien is a virtuoso playwright who can write a great line in comedy as easily as she writes a thrilling plot, furious social critique or magical realism. Mortido is undoubtedly her most ambitious play to date. With Ca?ceres' directing talent at the helm, Mortido will be an on-the-edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster ride.

Angela and Leticia have worked together many times over the last decade, culminating in Belvoir's 2011 production of Betzien's play The Dark Room, which won the 2011 Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian work. The play was also produced as State Theatre Company's Umbrella production by Flying Penguin Productions in 2013.

Mortido will mark Colin Friels first production in Adelaide since Shadow and Splendour in 1992 which followed his three years as an ensemble member at the State Theatre Company from 1978 to 1980. One of Australia's most celebrated actors and star of Malcolm, BlackJack, Water Rats, Bastard Boys and Tom White, Friels has enjoyed a celebrated career on stage and screen. A Helpmann Award winner for his portrayal

of Willy Loman in Simon Stone's production of Death of a Salesman, Friels will bring his trademark intensity, wit and fearlessness to bear on this exciting new piece of Australian writing.

State Theatre Company Artistic Director Geordie Brookman said "It's really exciting to collaborate with one of Australia's most celebrated and acclaimed theatre companies in bringing a gripping new Australian work to the stage. And it's a particular pleasure to welcome Colin Friels back to the Adelaide stage where his theatrical career kicked off three decades ago."

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