Bliss
We need to talk about Harry Joy. The world revolves around him. Until he dies on a sunny afternoon.
He awakens to a curious vision of the world he has known for 39 years. Fakes instead of family. Allies have become enemies. Conspiracies everywhere. His wife, children and friends attempt to punish him through a series of twisted inconveniences. Harry concludes that this Hell around him has been there the entire time. He’s just been too asleep to see it.
Peter Carey’s madcap novel is brought to life in a lush and extraordinary collaboration from the team behind Picnic at Hanging Rock. Starring Toby Truslove (ABC’s Utopia) and a stellar ensemble cast, follow Harry as he clamours for his soul, from suburbia to the rainforest, and beyond.
"THIS WORK HAS SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT OUR COUNTRY, OUR SEXISM, OUR HEALTH, AND OUR VALUES THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LEAVE WITHOUT BEING AFFECTED"
"THE NEXT LAUGH IS NEVER TOO FAR AWAY...DEFINITELY FOR AN AUSTRALIAN AUDIENCE"
"AN ENRICHING ADVENTURE"
"A BOLD ADAPTATION THAT BOASTS A TALENTED CAST WHO TOGETHER ENLIVEN CAREY'S '81 NOVEL"
PRODUCTION PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
A Malthouse Theatre and Belvoir production. Proudly supported by Art Series Hotels.
Key image: Zan Wimberley
Images: Pia Johnson
Partners
| BY / | Peter Carey |
| ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY / | Tom Wright |
| DIRECTION / | Matthew Lutton |
| CAST / | Marco Chiappi, Will McDonald, Amber McMahon, Charlotte Nicdao, Susan Prior, Anna Samson, Mark Coles Smith, Toby Truslove |
| SET & COSTUME DESIGN / | Marg Horwell |
| LIGHTING DESIGN / | Paul Jackson |
| SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSITION / | Stefan Gregory |
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Event & ticketing details
Accessibility
Dates & Times
| PREVIEWS | 7.30pm Fri 4 May, 7.30pm Sat 5 May, 6.30pm Mon 7 May, 6.30pm Tue 8 May |
| OPENING NIGHT | 7.30pm, Wed 9 May |
| AUDIO DESCRIBED | 5pm, Sun 20 May |
Location
Merlyn Theatre
The Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank 3006
Get directionsTrain
Any train to Flinders Street, then a 12-minute stroll through Melbourne’s sparkling Arts Precinct.Tram
The No. 1 South Melbourne tram goes right past our door. Get off at Stop 18. Any tram down St Kilda Road—jump off at Grant Street, Stop 17 and take a 3-minute walk.Event notes
DURATION /
Act I – 75 minutes
Interval – 20 minutes
Act II – 70 minutes
WARNINGS /
Contains strong adult themes, sexual and drug references and coarse language.