THE FRONT PAGE
BY BEN HECHT AND CHARLES MACARTHUR
23 APRIL – 18 MAY 2024
“A journalist is a cross between a bootlegger and a whore.”
Late at night, in the crowded press room at Chicago’s Criminal Court, a group of reporters is waiting to cover a controversial execution the next morning.
Then an unexpected event breaks through the banter and bravura, and suddenly a scoop is on the cards.
This landmark comedy from 1928 introduced the now-familiar character of the hard-living, wise-cracking reporter chasing the big story, no matter what.
In this fresh adaptation, complete with some gender swapping, the satire on corruption, manipulation and scandal in politics, journalism and justice still hits a nerve..
Though mobile phones and laptops have replaced notepads and typewriters, and the internet has changed the way news is reported, the essence of the newshound is the same.
The plot twists and turns as much as its ethically elastic characters, and the laugh-a-minute, rapid-fire script will get the adrenaline rushing.
“One of the funniest and most exciting American plays” New York Times
Feedback/Comments
A very enjoyable play from start to finish. The actors gave it their all to deliver excellent performances. Highly recommended!
Lovely chilled venue, enjoyable play but at times drawn out with fast dialogue but quite funny.
We really enjoyed the performance. It was an old-style play with some funny and farcical parts, which we, along with the rest of the audience enjoyed. It was a delight to see the large cast enjoying and finding fulfillment from the roles they were playing. At times their delivery was a little fast, but that didn't detract from our understanding of the unravelling of the plot.
Big cast and great performance
