Muggleton’s tour de force
Amanda Muggleton is to feature in a showcase production of Me & Jezebel by Elizabeth L Fuller – a one woman tour-de-force performance presented by Ellis Productions in conjunction with the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House from March 2-6.
Me & Jezebel is the hilarious true story of how Bette Davis invited herself over for a night and stayed, uninvited, for 32 days – turning Elizabeth Fuller’s home and family life upside down, and inside out!
The story shows that Davis thrives on confrontation and high tension, and that she is only truly happy when she is stirring things up and dominating the lives of the Fullers – especially Elizabeth who is desperate to form a real friendship with her idol and loses touch with reality.
Muggleton plays all roles in Me & Jezebel, including the forthright and intense Bette Davis, reluctant hostess Elizabeth, frustrated husband John, impressionable son Christopher, grandmother Ol’ Ma and singing evangelist Grace.
“It is always terrifying playing someone who is not a fictitious character – you can set yourself up for a fall, because the people that know and love Bette Davis so well, will have certain expectations,” Muggleton explained.
“Me & Jezebel is storytelling at it’s best – I am privileged to portray Davis’ strength, confidence and chutzpah… she had a hide like a rhinoceros.”
A beloved icon of stage and screen, Muggleton is described as one Australia’s most enchanting versatile and provocative leading ladies and has been nominated and won many awards – most notably, two Helpmann’s for her portrayal of Maria Callas in Masterclass and for the musical Eureka.
Muggelton trained at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama and her diverse career encompasses theatre, television, film, radio, musical theatre, public speaking and cabaret.
Me & Jezebel director, Helen Ellis, worked with Muggleton in 2006 when she co-produced the Victorian tour of the Noel Coward inspired Marvellous Party, which also featured Denis Olsen AM.
“When I read Me & Jezebel, I knew Amanda was perfect for the role,” Ellis said.
“Amanda showcases her incredible skill as each character appears in the blink of an eye without a hint of a costume change – it is an actors dream… it’s all about the craft – body language, rhythm of dialogue and pitch of voice.”
This production of Me & Jezebel is showcasing at The Playhouse at the Sydney Opera House prior to a national tour planned for 2011.
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