The Dismissal Announces Full Cast

Award-winning music theatre powerhouse Squabbalogic is pleased to announce the full cast for the brand-new, original Australian musical The Dismissal, which will be making its world premiere from 26th August 2023 at Sydney’s Seymour Centre.

The Dismissal is conceived and directed by Jay James-Moody, with a book by Blake Erickson & Jay James-Moody, and music and lyrics by Laura Murphy.

The Dismissal tells the epic story of Australia’s most dramatic political event – the sacking of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s government by the Governer-General Sir John Kerr on November 11th, 1975 – as told through the eyes of iconic larrikin Norman Gunston, played by Matthew Whittet (Darlinghurst Theatre’s Let The Right One In).

Alongside Whittet, Justin Smith (Belvoir’s Into The Woods) will star as Gough Whitlam, Andrew Cutcliffe (Neglected Musicals & Hayes Theatre Co’s Bells Are Ringing) as Malcolm Fraser, and Octavia Barron-Martin (Hayes Theatre Co’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), as Sir John Kerr.

These performers will lead a cast including Georgie Bolton (Peacock/STAN’s Joe vs Carole), Peter Carroll (Belvoir’s Into The Woods), Lincoln Elliott (Squabbalogic’s On A Clear Day You Can See Forever), Joe Kosky (Rodney Rigby & Junkyard Dog Productions’ Come From Away), Kaori Maeda-Judge (Sydney Theatre Company’s White Pearl), Shannen Alyce Quan (LWAA’s SIX The Musical), Quinton Rofail Rich (National Theatre of Parramatta’s Choir Boy), Monique Sallé (ATYP’s The Deb), Brittanie Shipway (Bell Shakespeare’s The Lovers), and Anusha Thomas (Little Eggs Collective’s Metropolis).

Director and Co-Bookwriter Jay James-Moody said, “The process of casting this show so consciously over a number of years with our creative, casting and inclusivity teams has been thrilling, challenging, illuminating and ultimately very rewarding. We’re so thrilled that this story – largely about white men in the 1970’s – will be presented to 2023 audiences by a team that represents the vast diversity of present day Australia which adds a further depth to the tale we are telling.”

The Dismissal will open at the Seymour Centre from 26th August 2023. Tickets are on sale now via thedismissal.com.

THE DISMISSAL

BOOK BY Blake Erickson & Jay James-Moody

MUSIC & LYRICS BY Laura Murphy

CONCEIVED & DIRECTED BY Jay James-Moody

PRODUCED BY Squabbalogic

STARRING Octavia Barron-Martin, Georgie Bolton, Peter Carroll, Andrew Cutcliffe, Lincoln Elliott, Joe Kosky, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Shannen Alyce Quan, Quinton Rofail Rich, Monique Sallé, Brittanie Shipway, Justin Smith, Anusha Thomas & Matthew Whittet

THE DISMISSAL was commissioned and developed by Squabbalogic with the support of The Russell Mills Foundation; Seabourn, Broughton & Walford Foundation; and Create NSW. This production is supported by the Australian Government’s RISE fund.

Image: Harvey House Productions.