Arts 0

Effie – The Virgin Bride to Premiere at Adelaide Cabaret Festival

By Tony Polese · On February 2, 2017

Adelaide Festival Centre in association with

Frontier Comedy presents

EFFIE – THE VIRGIN BRIDE

HIT STAGE SHOW TO PREMIERE AT

ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL

Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Frontier Comedy are thrilled to announce that Logie Award-winning, AFI nominated writer and performer Mary Coustas (Acropolis Now, Effie Just Quietly, Greeks On The Roof) is bringing her hit one woman theatrical production Effie – The Virgin Bride for the first time ever to Adelaide as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 21 & 22 June. Tickets go on sale to the general public on 10 February.

Fans can see Australian comedy icon Effie – alongside her immaculately conceived daughter Aphrodite and her womanising yet lovable Uncle Vasili – at the mother of all weddings this June as part of a national tour. This multimedia extravaganza full of music, dancing, and audience interaction is bound to be a night youse won’t forget!

Last year’s debut season of Effie – The Virgin Bride saw Coustas performing her three charmingly unconventional characters (Aphie, Uncle Vasili, and of course, Effie) for a mammoth ten nights at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre, with four shows added to meet public demand, as well as sold out shows at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre; proving that after almost three decades in entertainment, the public still cannot get enough of Mary and her outrageous yet lovable characters.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve done a really big show. And it’s the best show I could have hoped to have staged.’ – Mary Coustas

In Effie – The Virgin Bride fans can look forward to meeting Aphrodite, Effie’s five year old immaculately conceived cute little boofhead daughter, who unknowingly reveals Effie’s biggest secrets to us. Nothing is sacred. Aphie’s infectious innocence reminds us that the truth is never more entertaining than when uttered from the mouths of babes.

Coustas will also play Uncle Vasili, Effie’s womanising and loveable uncle who has flown in from Greece especially for Effie’s wedding. His poignant and candid confession about his life, marriage and the price he’s paid for his after hour activities somehow makes this short, unattractive, politically-incorrect man oddly endearing and completely unforgettable. As Mary says, “Vasili is my love letter to short, middle-aged, delusional Greek men.” Of course, Australia’s favourite Greek Goddess and the original Bacheloreffe Effie will also take to the stage.

Mary Coustas has been loved by Australian audiences since she first brought her most loved character Effie to the public in the hugely successful theatre production Wogs Out Of Work. Coustas’ portrayal of Effie has since landed her a Logie for Most Popular Comedy Personality in 1993, a Variety Heart Award as voted by her industry peers, a Top 20 single with her duet Amigos Para Siempre alongside Norman Gunstan, a book Effie’s Guide To Being Up Yourself and a record deal in 2015 with Effie’s Classic 90s Hits.

Coustas has also brought Effie to the stage numerous times since her inception in Wogs Out Of Work, appearing in Effie X-Posed, and later in acclaimed one-woman shows, Waiting For Effie and A Date With Effie. Outside of Effie, Coustas has also gained high praise for her portrayal of a dog in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Sylvia, appeared on TV in Skirts,Wildside, Grass Roots, The Secret Life of Us and Rake 2. On the big screen she has starred in Nirvana Street Murder,Hercules Returns, and received an AFI nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Mull.

In 2013, Coustas released her autobiography All I Know, sharing her story of a decade of IVF treatments, tragedy and motherhood at 49, touching the nation’s heart with her appearance on 60 Minutes.

Now, in Effie – The Virgin Bride, the public will see more of the woman behind Effie, as Coustas takes a moment to step outside of her most known creation to connect with her audience live on stage. She tells the story of her most crippling moment on stage years earlier, and how her audience brought her back from giving up what she loved most – performing.

Don’t miss your chance to see Australia’s favourite Greek Goddess gain a husband and lose a cherry in the encore season of this stage sensation! Tickets are on sale Friday 10 February – don’t miss out!

‘A sharply-written, multifaceted, deftly-performed one woman show filled with laughter, love…and a surprisingly emotional final act.’ – Herald Sun

‘An extraordinary show! Take your partner, take your best mate, even take your mum, but maybe don’t take your priest’ – Australian Stage

‘Sharp, funny and fearless’ – The Daily Review

‘Crass, domineering, groin-obsessed and egotistical, Effie is also irresistibly lovable’ – The Age

★★★★ ‘Effie can still wow an audience … she will never be a wog out of work’ – Herald Sun

‘Coustas mines her much-loved character’s catchphrases much to the crowd’s delight … bringing a freshness and modern relevance to her creation’ – Sydney Morning Herald

What	EFFIE – THE VIRGIN BRIDE
When	21 & 22 June
Venue	Her Majesty’s Theatre *For information about access for patrons (including those with disabilities), please visitadelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/about-us/redevelopment-project***
Time	7.30pm
Cost from	Adult Premium $66.90, A Reserve Adult $56.90, A Reserve Subscription & Adult Conc: $51.90, B Reserve Adult $46.90, Groups 6+ $61.90 A handling fee of $8.95 applies per transaction
Bookings	BASS 131 246 or online at bass.net.au