Final Cast Announced For NORTH BY NORTHWEST

The final role has been cast for the 2018/19 Australian seasons of the triumphant stage adaption of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest in Brisbane and Adelaide.

The principal role of villain Vandamm will be played by acclaimed Australian film, TV and theatre actor, Jonny Pasvolsky.

Producer for North by Northwest, Liza McLean said she is thrilled to announce this final casting.

"North by Northwest is listed among the canonical Hitchcock films of the 1950s and is often cited as being among the greatest films of all time. The three roles that audiences identify immediately are Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), Eve Kendall, (Eva Marie Saint) and Phillip Vandamm, (James Mason).

"Vandamm is the lead villain in North by Northwest, but also the other main love interest for our irresistible Hitchcock blonde, Eve Kendall, played by Amber McMahon.

"Like James Mason's portrayal in the iconic film, Vandamm needs to be sophisticated, intelligent, charming and seductive, while also playing the threatening, dangerous and unshakeable villain that he is, willing to do whatever it takes to fulfil his mission and track down the running man, Roger Thornhill played by Matt Day," said Ms McLean.

"We know Jonny will be a perfect Vandamm. It is a real coup to secure him as he currently lives in L.A., but will return to Australia to appear in this internationally acclaimed stage play.

"We are delighted to have Jonny Pasvolsky join Matt Day and Amber McMahon and we'll no doubt see an electric combination created for the complicated love triangle of their roles," said Ms McLean.

South African born Pasvolsky is an accomplished and sought after actor across stage, TV and film. His extensive TV credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock, HBO's Westworld, The Moodys, Mr. & Mrs. Murder, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Blood Brothers, Offspring, Underbelly 2, Home & Away, Seachange, All Saints, and McLeod's Daughters.

Pasvolsky's screen credits include the upcoming The Front Runner for director Jason Reitman and Mortdecai opposite Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow. The last project he did in Australia was the 2017 released film Rabbit, directed and written by Luke Shanahan.

The North by Northwest cast also includes Abigail McKern (Mrs Thornhill), Robert Menzies (Professor), Tom Davey (Leonard), Nicholas Bell (Newsreader), Christen O'Leary (Maggie), Peter Houghton (Gruzinski) Ezra Bix (Budnikov) Leon Cain (Janitor) and Roddy Peters (Bell Boy). Together this ensemble plays more than 30 roles in this highly acclaimed production.

Combining the magic of film and theatre, this incredible production of Hitchcock's supreme comedy of suspense will be presented live on Queensland Performance Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Lyric Theatre stage from 27 November 2018 followed by a season at Adelaide Festival Centre's Festival Theatre from 29 December 2018, with a special New Year's Eve performance.

This celebrated production follows sell out seasons in Melbourne, the U.K. and Toronto where it won over crowds and critics alike.

Every twist, every thrill, every hairbreadth escape from Hitchcock's original genius work is retained for this stunning stage production by director Simon Phillips (Muriel's Wedding, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and adapted for the stage by Carolyn Burns; together the creative team behind Ladies in Black.

Don't miss this lightning paced thriller that combines glamour with espionage for a truly irresistible cocktail. Tickets are selling fast so you'd better run!