The Rise & Disguise of Elizabeth R

Written by Gerry Connolly, Nick Coyle & Gus Murray | Music by Max Lambert

Gerry Connolly is a familiar and much-loved face in Australia. A versatile actor, comic and musician from TV classics like Fast Forward and Joh’s Jury and countless stage productions. Perhaps his most enduring performance has been his inhabitation of Queen Elizabeth II. Over four decades, his loving (and uncanny) representation of her, full of dry wit and surprising ingenuity, has become an Australian icon.

This hilarious and moving new musical comedy, with a cast of three, literally takes us behind the scenes to see what it takes for Gerry to perform as Elizabeth and for Elizabeth to perform as the Queen. And of course some notorious ex-PMs make an appearance too… It’s a show about the masks we all wear and how we learn to let go of them. As the Queen nears the end of her reign, this show explores her history, her hidden personality, and the weird sense of intimacy that has developed for Gerry over decades of walking in the shoes of the Monarch.

Played Hayes Theatre Co in Potts Point, Sydney from 13 February to 1 March, 2020

Written by Gerry Connolly, Nick Coyle & Gus Murray

Composer & Musical Director Max Lambert

Director Shaun Rennie | Choreographer Leah Howard

Set & Costume Design Jeremy Allen | Lighting Design Trent Suidgeest | Sound Design David Bergman

Stage Management Daniel Cottier, Adrienne Patterson & Claire Miller

Assistant Director Daniel Cottier | Associate Lighting Designer James Wallis

Orchestration & Track Production Sean Peter | Additional Music Gerry Connolly & Laura Murphy

Producer Gus Murray

Starring
Gerry Connolly, Rob Mallett, Laura Murphy