Darlinghurst Theatre Company Honors the Memory of Nick Enright with Productions in 2014-16

Darlinghurst Theatre Company and the Enright family hosted a special event at Eternity Playhouse this evening in honour of the late Nick Enright. Over the next three years, the Enright family is supporting Darlinghurst Theatre Company to produce three plays by the renowned Australian playwright including Daylight Saving in 2014, as well as two other works in 2015 and 2016.

The evening included performances and talks from special guests including journalist and author David Marr, actor Sandy Gore and composer Terence Clarke, as well as performers Paul Capsis, Doug Hansell, Genevieve Lemon, Lynne Pierse and Tony Sheldon, who all had the honour and privilege of knowing Nick personally.

Nick was an actor, director and teacher, as well as a prolific and influential writer for film, television, radio and the stage. His playwriting credits include Daylight Saving (1989) and Cloudstreet (1998), which was based on the award-winning novel by Tim Winton. He also wrote the book for many musicals including Variations (1982), The Venetian Twins (1979) and Broadway hit, The Boy from Oz (1998). Nick co-wrote the screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil (1993), which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Nick was Head of Acting at NIDA between 1983 and 1984, and was also a mentor and teacher to many in the industry throughout his life.

Darlinghurst Theatre Company Director Glenn Terry is thrilled at the opportunity to present Nick's work to new audiences at Eternity Playhouse. "As well as being a leading Australian writer, Nick Enright was much loved within the theatre community. He was a mentor to many professional theatre artists and I have fond memories of Nick mentoring young artists at our old theatre in Potts Point," he said.

Ian Enright, one of Nick's brothers, said Darlinghurst and its theatres were an important part of Nick's life, work and legacy. "We are delighted that the Darlinghurst Theatre Company and its Eternity Playhouse are taking a lead in the development, performance and promotion of Nick's works through a number of initiatives. We hope that others will follow," he said.

The Darlinghurst Theatre Company has also named the Eternity Playhouse bar "Nick's Bar" as a tribute to the much-loved man of the theatre.

Daylight Saving will play from today 31 October to 30 November, 2014, directed by Mark Kilmurry.

For more information, visit www.darlinghursttheatre.com.

Nick Enright (1950-2003) trained for the theatre at New York University School of Arts after early experience in Australia including with Nimrod and MTC. He was an actor, director and teacher as well as a writer. His plays include On the Wallaby, Daylight Saving, St James Infirmary, Mongrels, A Property of the Clan, The Quartet from Rigoletto, Blackrock, Good Works, Spurboard and A Man with Five Children. With Justin Monjo he adapted Tim Winton's Cloudstreet for the stage. He has also written for film and television, including co-writing with George Miller the screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil which was nominated for an Oscar. He has written a number of musicals including The Venetian Twins and Summer Rain with composer Terence Clarke. He wrote the book for the Australian production of The Boy From Oz. Among many awards were two Green Room Awards for Best Play, and four Gold AWGIE Awards, the 1998 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award and the NSW Premiers' Special Award. As well as being a prolific writer, Nick was a noted acting teacher, particularly at NIDA and WAAPA.