Queensland Theatre’s POTUS is a star-spangled, femme-fuelled political farce
Queensland Theatre’s brash new play, POTUS, has been receiving some phenomenal guerilla marketing, as the news cycle of late seems dedicated to proving the truth can be as silly as fiction. While the American people gear up for their second attempt to possibly appoint a female president, this femme-fuelled, political farce will make its Australian premiere at Bille Brown Theatre from 27 July.
POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive, is a three-time Tony Award-nominated play from up-and-coming playwright, Selina Fillinger, following seven different women on the team of a fictional US president as they attempt to navigate his foul-mouthed faux pas alongside misplaced hallucinogenic drugs, a sex scandal and an assassination attempt.
“Unprecedented times require unprecedented courage,” says Selina. “I started working on POTUS when I was a very scared, very sad 23-year-old woman who needed to laugh. I wrote this play to give myself joy, catharsis and courage. I hope it offers audiences the same.”
After a smash-hit run on Broadway in 2022 featuring a powerhouse cast of SNL and Veep alum, this production marks the play’s Australian premiere. Brought to life by a star-spangled all-female ensemble led by acclaimed director Lee Lewis OAM, the show stars Amy Ingram (Family Values and Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe), alongside Christen O’Leary (Ladies in Black, Triple X), Emily Burton (Othello, Storm Boy), Emily Liu (White China), Jodie Le Vesconte (Family Values), Wendy Mocke (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew) and Paula Arundell (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
According to Queensland Theatre executive director Criena Gehrke, POTUS is proudly ‘not for the faint-hearted’.
“POTUS is a satire about the hypocrisy of American politics and the people that work furiously behind the scenes to hold chaos together. It’s bold and brash but makes for an incredibly timely, and equally powerful story to bring to the stage,” she says.
“It’s written by a woman, directed by a woman and features a fierce all-female cast making it another outstanding piece of diverse storytelling that we’re excited to bring to the Queensland stage.”
Get the gals together for a hilarious evening about life, liberty and the pursuit of sanity. POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive is running from July 27 to August 24 at Bille Brown Theatre. Grab your tickets on Queenland Theatre’s website.
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