ELLING Comes To Sydney Theatre Co's Wharf 1 5/30, Begins Touring After 6/4

Based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen. Stage adaptation by Axel Hellstenius in collaboration with Petter Næss. Translated by Nicholas Norris. Adapted by Simon Bent

30 May to 12 July 2009. Opens Thursday 4 June 2009 at 8pm.
Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay

Then tours to Parramatta, Canberra, Newcastle, Belrose and Wollongong.

The charming yet unsentimental comedy, Elling, adapted by Britain's Simon Bent from the Norwegian novel and cult film, is about people living on society's fringe attempting to come to terms with the real world. Directed by Pamela Rabe, straight from her acclaimed performance in Sydney Theatre Company's The War of The Roses, the Wharf 1 season of Elling runs from 30 May to 12 July 2009, followed by a NSW/ACT tour.

From institutional care, confused souls Elling (Darren Gilshenan) and Kjell (Lachy Hulme) are discharged into a state-subsidised flat in Oslo and given the opportunity to prove that they can lead independent lives. On their hilarious search for what it is to be ‘normal', this oddball twosome make some unexpected discoveries about love, sex, food, poetry, and the power of friendship.

Darren Gilshenan's theatre credits include Urinetown as part of Sydney Theatre Company's 2007 Main Stage season and numeroUs Productions with Bell Shakespeare as well as ABC TV's Chandon Pictures. Lachy Hulme is well known for ABC TV's comedy series, The Hollowmen and the character of Sparks in the Matrix trilogy. They're joined by Frank Whitten, whose numerous STC credits go back to 1991; Glenn Hazeldine, recently seen in STC's The Pig Iron People and Yael Stone, winner of the 2008 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Newcomer (for The Kid and STC's Frankenstein).

Simon Bent's adaptation of Elling is based on the cult hit film of a novel by one of Norway's most popular writers, Ingvar Ambjørnsen. Bent's adaptation was first performed at London's Bush Theatre in 2007 and later transferred to the West End. His other comedies include Wasted, Bad Company, Goldhawk Road and A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Cast Darren Gilshenan, Glenn Hazeldine, Lachy Hulme, Yael Stone, Frank Whitten

Director Pamela Rabe. Set Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell. Costume Designer Tess Schofield Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper Sound Designer Max Lyandvert

For further information:
Tim McKeough, Media Relations Manager (02) 9250 1703 tmckeough@sydneytheatre.com.au
Wesley Slattery, Media Relations Coordinator (02) 9250 1705 wslattery@sydneytheatre.com.au

Box Office: 9250 1777 or www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Wharf 1. 30 May to 12 July 2009. Tickets: $30 to $75

TOUR: Playhouse, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 29 July - 1 August, Canberra Theatre Centre 5 - 8 August, Civic Theatre, Newcastle 12 - 15 August, Glen Street Theatre, 19 - 30 August, IMB Theatre, IPAC, Wollongong 2 - 6 September.

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