Work of Art: The First Look
Little Triangle
August 2022, ARA Darling Quarter Theatre
MUSIC AND LYRICS Jesse Layt
DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER Alexander Andrews
PRODUCER Rose McClelland
PIANIST Gianna Cheung
POSTER AND PROMOTION Alexander Andrews
A new Australian musical — The first look
An in-development full-length, sung-through musical written and composed by NIDA graduate Jesse Layt. This new Australian musical chronicles the creation of the world-famous Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and constructed across a period of fourteen years. Propelled by an entirely original score, it questions the value that is placed on Australia’s art and artists in a world where political ambition and economic austerity seem destined to take precedence over artistic expression.
CAST
Sally Alrich-Smythe, Chloe Angel, Melody Beck, James Burchett, Martin Everett, Ruby Hawken, Kimmie Jonceski, Brodie Masini, Jordon Mahar, Quinton Rich, Cypriana Singh, Shelise Vandal, Louis Vinciguerra, Richard Woodhouse-Smith
BAND
Gianna Cheung (Paino), Austin Hall (Drums)
Writer’s Note
Work of Art is a story about people who are willing to sacrifice everything to have their artistic voices heard. Emerging from a time where artists have been sidelined and arts organisations disregarded, I could not think of a more fitting subject matter to interrogate and explore through the lens of modern Australia.
As an artist in Australia, I hold the firm belief that providing Australian stories with a major theatrical platform is critical to the future of our industry. To be able to offer commercial theatre producers an Australian product with the scope and potential to stand beside the longest-running and highest-grossing musicals is a key ambition driving the development of Work of Art. I look forward to sharing this profoundly Australian story with the people of Sydney.
— Jesse Layt
