Inside Rupert

It couldn't be a more perfect time for MTC to present a new work about Rupert Murdoch. Scandals running so deep, divorce announced and the recent front page of Murdoch's paper, The Daily Telegraph's attempt at influencing the election, it would be a dream for any actor, director or writer to creatively work on anything closely related to this man. What makes the piece even better is it is written by one of Australia's most celebrated writers, David Williamson. 

In her first MTC performance, HaiHa Le will be playing numerous roles in the new work, Rupert, most notably Wendi Deng, until very recently Murdoch's wife. Le couldn't be more excited about working with playwright legend Williamson. “I studied him in high school and now I'm in the room with him; it's kind of surreal. He is the most generous and gentle writer and person; he is very open to ideas and suggestions. He will take it in, write it and give us the amendments the next day. [Murdoch] actually just announced their divorce so there was an amendment after that was announced. David Williamson has this really difficult task of staying on top of Rupert's crazy life. And it is constantly changing; he is always in the media about news hacking scandals and it's a challenge to stay on top of the current issues.” When dealing with a man like Murdoch, Le informs me both Williamson and the MTC have lawyers ensuring what they're doing will not be brought down by some technicality. 

While it feels close to impossible to put everything about this Citizen Kane of a guy down on paper, Le suggests that while the process is constantly organic, it isn't the facts that drive the show. “It's not about his empire; it's about what drives him, what are his ideologies, his personal power. It's more a portrait of a person than a history lesson. We are not making a documentary. The director Lee Lewis knows what an MTC audience would expect to see at the Playhouse, what they expect from a play by David Williamson about Rupert Murdoch, and I think she is really clever to not give the audience what they are expecting. It's a very different take of what you see normally at the MTC.” 

Two actors will be playing Murdoch, with Guy Edmonds as the younger man and Sean O'Shea playing something close to the man we know today. Le, with the rest of the talented ensemble, are between them playing as many as 20 characters each, with different wigs, costumes and accents to get their heads around. Being a Williamson play, a good amount of Aussie humour and wit can be expected and next year it flies to the US for World Stages: International Theater Festival in Washington DC. Check out a new work about an old and, depending on your perspective, infamous Australian paper giant.