Black Swan State Theatre Officially Launches 'Star Gazing 2010' Season

Black Swan State Theatre Company launched its 2010 season at Canton Lounge Bar on Tuesday evening. Black Swan's Artistic Director, Kate Cherry, introduced Black Swan' season, themed "Star Gazing 2010". The invited guests were also addressed by playwright HAnnie Rayson, whose new play, The Swimming Club, is one of the centerpieces of Black Swan's 2010 season.

Black Swan is presenting five mainhouse productions in 2010 - the secon season program created by Artistic Director Kate Cherry. The season includes The Sapphires by Tony Briggs ( a co-production with Company B Belvoir) as part of the UWA Perth International Arts Festival, The Swimming Club by HAnnie Rayson (a co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company), Sarah Ruhl's comedy The Clean House (a co-production with Queensland Theatre Company), Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, and J.T. Rogers' Madagascar.

Christine Anu, Casey Donovan and WA actress Kylie Farmer will star in the Motown musical The Sapphires by Tony Briggs, which will be presented as part of the Perth International Arts Festival. The play, a co-production between Black Swan and Company B Belvoir, will then tour to Adelaide and Wollongong before a season in Sydney.

HAnnie Rayson's new play, The Swimming Club, will star John Waters, Igor Sas, Caroline Gillmer and Megan Holloway. A co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company, this is a play for baby boomers and all those who love them.

The Clean House, a comedy by Sarah Ruhl about clean homes and messy lives, will star Pia Miranda and Sarah McNeill. The Clean House is a co-production with Queensland Theatre Company.

After the success of Much Ado About Nothing in 2009, Black Swan will present another Shakespeare comedy, Twelfth Night, in 2010. This play was the inaugural production of the fledgling Black Swan Theatre Company in 1991. As in 1991, the cast of this brand new production will again include Geoff Kelso (this time in the role of Malvolio).

Amanda Muggleton will star in Madagascar by J.T. Rogers, a haunting story of a mysterious disappearance that changes three lives forever. 

Black Swan's emerging artist development program, The HotBed Ensemble, will present The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute and Yellow Moon - The Ballad of Leila and Lee by UK playwright David Greig.

Subscribers can choose between 4 or 5 play opening night and 3 play, 4 play and 5 play subscription packages. Black Swan has also introduced a new “3 Saturday matinees” subscription package and will again offer a “3 preview” package, enabling subscribers to see three previews of their choice for only $105.

Students can save $5 compared to the standard student ticket price by purchasing unsold seats for just $14.95 up to 30 minutes before a performance begins upon presentation of valid student ID. The $14.95 student rush tickets are available for all mainhouse production, but are subject to availability. For the first time, Black Swan is also offering a Family Package, enabling two adults and two children/students to see a Black Swan mainhouse production for just $120.

Black Swan State Theatre Company is Western Australia’s Flagship Theatre Company and one of Australia’s foremost theatre companies. For more information on Black Swan State Theatre Company, visit www.bsstc.com.au.