Lying Cheating Bastard June 30, 2009

SOFT TREAD ENTERPRISES in association with Tamarama Rock Surfers Present Lying Cheating Bastard
By James Galea and Nicholas Hammond

The extraordinary story of a con-man’s induction into the murky world of gambling, gangsters and grifters.
Performances from Tonight at the Old Fitzroy Theatre

From the writer of the ABC’s Secret Men’s Business and critically acclaimed mini series A Difficult Woman, Nicholas Hammond, this one man show Lying Cheating Bastard reveals the story of an apprentice card-shark drawn into the seedy underbelly of Sydney. Starring co-writer James Galea under the direction of Hammond and inspired by actual events, Lying Cheating Bastard will premiere in Sydney at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from June 30 and will tour nationally in 2010.

Lying Cheating Bastard is a fascinating story, part mystery, part coming-of-age, part demonstration of the finer arts of trickery. Lying Cheating Bastard follows the story of the infamous con man Jimmy Garcia aka the Cricket and his rapid rise to the position of the most successful con man in Australia by the tender age of twenty seven. The story begins when Garcia encounters one of a veteran con man, a man who will become his greatest mentor and his greatest betrayer. We watch Garcia learn the game and play his marks. With suspense the audience follows the losing bets against Jimmy and witnesses the darker side of human instinct as Garcia’s heart hardens to the fact that at the heart of every con is the greed of the mark. Putting it down to a natural gift with which he was born, Jimmy Garcia possesses a talent to play and read cards and dice, to understand any game of chance better than almost anyone in the world. Garcia has a strategy to win and says, “I always win, always, ‘cos I never go against the percentages, I always control the variables, and I don’t leave anything to chance. Oh yeah. And I cheat”.

Veteran actor Nicholas Hammond makes his directorial debut with this unique Australian story.

“My whole life has been telling stories - either as a writer or an actor” said Hammond. “Stories are the essence of theatre, and when I heard James’ story. I knew I had to be a part of telling it.”

James Galea grew up in inner Sydney and from his early teens was obsessed with magic.

"I use the same techniques as a professional card shark, but I do it for entertainment rather than for real,” said James. “I’m a magician/ musician/ actor/ writer/ pick-pocket - not many roles going round to utilise my various talents - so it was time to create one. When I met Nicholas Hammond whilst working on a cruise ship in Hawaii, we got to talking about how I got started in my field, and nine months later, my story has become out play”.

James Galea has breathed new life into art of magic in Australia, both on TV and stage. In 2006 Galea filmed his own six part series for the Nine Network's Urban Magic. In 2008 Galea's new show I Hate Rabbits eschewed the clichéd smoke and mirrors stereotype, combining his wicked sense of humour with extraordinary sleight-of-hand and close-up projection. I Hate Rabbits enjoyed two successful seasons in Sydney in 2008 before going on to play strong runs at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals, earning Galea a nomination, for the 2009 People's Choice Award for I Hate Rabbits at the Fringe.

Nicholas Hammond has been in the entertainment industry for over thirty five years, working as a highly regarded actor in New York, London, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne. He was most recently seen in Bruce Beresford's production of Moonlight and Magnolias for the Melbourne Theatre Company and will soon be seen on screens in the upcoming film adaptation of Li Cunxin's acclaimed biography, Mao's Last Dancer. As well as his award-winning writing, credits for TV, Hammond currently has two feature films in development.

"Meet magic’s best card shark!"
Sydney Morning Herald

"James Galea has reinvented the art of trickery."
The Daily Telegraph

"Awesome!"
The Age

"Lightning fast hands and sharp tongue….Spectacular… just spectacular!"
Mornings with Kerri-Anne

Opening Night Thursday July 2

DATES: Tues 30 June - Sat 25 July
TIMES: Tue 30 – 04 Sat July: 8-10pm
Sun 05 July: 5-7pm
Tues 07 -Sat 11 July: 8-10pm
Sun 12 July: 5-7pm
Tues 14 – Sat 18 July: 8-10pm
Sun 19 July: 5-7pm
Tue 21 – Sat 25 July: 8-10pm

Old Fitzroy Theatre
129 Dowling Street
Woolloomooloo 2011

Preview Performances & Cheap Tuesday:
General Admission $17
Beer, Laksa and Show $25

General Performances:
Adult $35, Concession, $25
Beer, Laksa and Show $40

Bookings: Tamarama Rock Surfers/ Old Fitzroy Theatre
www.rocksurfers.org or 02 9380 5553