The Book of Everything

From the novel by Guus Kuijer, Adapted by Richard Tulloch commissioned by Kim  Carpenter’s Theatre of Image and co-produced by Belvoir Director Neil Armfield.

In the spirit of Belvoir’s The Small Poppies, Neil Armfield puts his big short pants on again for a special presentation of The Book of Everything.

Boasting an immediate sell-out in its Sydney season last year and overwhelmingly rave reviews, the show has been picked up by New Victory Theatre in Broadway, New York, for a season next year.

Thomas is nine and he’s started writing a book.  His father says all important books are about God. Even so, Thomas writes down all the interesting things he sees that other people seem to ignore: tropical fish in the canal, a deluge of frogs, the Son of God popping in for a chat …

He also writes down his greatest determination:

When I grow up, I’m going to be happy.

Featuring Jesus, the angels, the Bottombiter, the startling Mrs Van Amersfoort and a beautiful girl with a leather leg, this is a totally magical story about a child learning to act when faced with fear and wrong.

Directed by arguably Australia’s most respected director, Neil Armfield – director of famed shows such as Cloudstreet, Keating! and the feature film Candy – this is the third of Neil’s shows in the last 3 years to appear on Broadway (the previous two being The Diary of a Madman and Exit The King  with long time collaborator and friend, Geoffrey Rush).

The cast features some of Australia’s most recognisable actors such as Alison Bell (Laid), Claire Jones (Cloudstreet, Uncle Vanya), Deborah Kennedy (star of stage and screen for 30 years), John Leary (Where The Wild Things Are), Rebecca Massey (My Place, The Black Balloon, Exit The King) and Matthew Whittet as Thomas (the movies Moulin Rouge and Australia, and wrote and starred in Fugitive).

Neil says “it has enormous spirit and celebrates the ability children have to let their imaginations roam. It’s a funny, generous show that will grab your heart and challenge your mind, no matter how old you are”.

Cast:Julie Forsyth, Claire Jones, Deborah Kennedy, John Leary, Rebecca Massey, Lucia Mastrantone, Pip Miller and Matthew Whittet

Director: Neil Armfield
Assistant Director: Eamon Flack
Set and Costume Design: Kim Carpenter
Musician / Composer: Iain Grandage
Lighting Design: Nigel Levings
Sound Design: Steve Francis
Choreography: Julia Cotton

Please note: The Book of Everything contains depictions of domestic violence
This performance has a 20 minute lock-out so please allow plenty of time to park your car and get to the theatre.

Helpful links
See the full 2011 Season