Mayhem and mystery: Queensland Theatre season cancelled in double blow for arts community
The horror week for the performing arts in Queensland continues with the sudden axing of the entire season of Queensland Theatre’s highly anticipated production of the Broadway hit play POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE.
This cancellation by Queensland Theatre follows the shock departure of Queensland Ballet’s artistic director Leanne Benjamin this week after just six months at the helm after Li Cunxin retired due to ill health.
Both major companies are in disarray at the end this week for different reasons. Conspiracy theories are starting to sprout around both companies which is par for the course in the arts world.
POTUS is a femme-fueled, political farce which was set to give a satirical, dramatic and enticing inside-look at American politics and it was supposed to kick off its Australian premiere at Queensland Theatre’s Bille Brown Theatre Thursday night.
Patrons were told opening night was cancelled due to illness in the cast. Rumours then swirled that the whole season was cancelled and that turned out to be true with Queensland Theatre issuing a statement late Friday morning to all ticket holders.
“Last night the difficult decision was taken by the Board of Queensland Theatre to cancel our season of POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE due to health issues impacting some of our wonderful cast,” the message said.
“The entire company is heartbroken for you, our audience, as we always want to deliver the outstanding theatre experiences you love and deserve. However, the wellbeing of our cast, creatives and crew is our top priority.”
Ticket holders were given a link to nominate ticket options which include a refund if requested.
The statement wound up … “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your ongoing support of Queensland Theatre”.
The play was penned by up-and-coming playwright, Selina Fillinger, and is centred around a fictitious President of the United States’ (POTUS) foul-mouthed faux pas in front of the media and foreign dignitaries. It follows seven powerhouse women as they navigate misplaced hallucinogenic drugs, a sex scandal and an assassination attempt – all within 24 hours.
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The story was to be brought to life in Brisbane by a star-studded, all-female ensemble featuring Amy Ingram, Christen O’Leary, Emily Burton, Emily Liu, Jodie Le Vesconte, Wendy Mocke, Paula Arundell all led by acclaimed director, Lee Lewis who is the immediate past artistic director of the company and yet to be replaced.
“Set in the White House, POTUS is a farce with seven women who are quite literally trying to piece back the American government after one swear word,” Lee Lewis says.
Some wondered whether controversial content in the play (well there is an assassination attempt) may have led to the cancellation although Queensland Theatre says it is simply a matter of cast illness which has torpedoed what promised to be one of the theatrical highlights of the year.
