Set within a world of designer suits and ruthless deals, Silo Theatre’s season of the ferocious satire Boys Will Be Boys sees an all-female cast clawing their way to the top of the cut-throat finance industry from 08 – 24 September at Q Theatre.

Astrid is at the peak of her career as a currency trader, raking it in with the best of them. To stay on top, she’s had to tough it out with the men that dominate her industry. In Astrid’s mind, you have to take it like a man or you’ll be swallowed up. When a hungry new female intern comes along, Astrid attempts to mould her in her own image. Instead, she creates something far worse than the men she’s had to overcome — a woman who can beat her at her own game. 

Commissioned by Sydney Theatre Company (premiering in 2015) and inspired by a conversation with former STC Artistic Director Cate Blanchett, Boys Will Be Boys is the latest script from Australian writer Melissa Bubnic, a Patrick White Playwrights Award winner in 2010 and a writer for the UK TV series Shameless.

This explosive new work can be described as The Wolf of Wall Street meets hit TV series UnReal with a healthy bump of cabaret and razor-sharp wit. Messing with a traditional cabaret style, Musical Director Leon Radojkovic (BREL, Live Live Cinema) will weave the sound design around bashed up reworkings of songs by 1950s and ‘60s icons Etta James, Nina Simone and Peggy Lee.

Boys Will Be Boys presents us with a deplorably entertaining view of the power struggles at the top, full of in-your-face dialogue and detestable behaviour. What does it mean for a woman to perform in this hyper-masculine world? And how do we judge those who succeed?

Silo Theatre’s Artistic Director Sophie Roberts (director of 2015’s The Book of Everything and The Events) will direct the five-strong cast of women in both male and female roles, further highlighting the double standards and inequality of our most “civilised” financial institutions.

Jennifer Ludlam (Shortland Street, The Blue Rose) dons the patriarchal role of Arthur, whose manipulative power play sees him presiding over the rest of the pack. Amanda Billing (The Book of Everything, Lysistrata, Shortland Street) takes on the polarising role of Astrid – a woman who is unapologetically smashing her fist through the glass ceiling. Whilst newcomer Vanessa Kumar, who recently toured New Zealand with Indian Ink Theatre Company’s The Elephant Thief, steps in as the fresh-faced, ambitious newcomer Priya. Completing the cast is Jodie Rimmer (Filthy Rich, In My Father’s Den) who makes her long awaited return to the Silo stage as the intelligent, sexy and headstrong Isabelle, and Luci Hare (Auckward Love, Lysistrata) in her Silo debut as trust fund baby, Harrison – Priya’s overly privileged rival.
 
Boys Will Be Boys

September 8 - 24: Q Theatre, Auckland

Tickets via Q Theatre