The Bridges Of Madison Country

Jason Robert Brown’s Tony Award winning musical The Bridges Of Madison County will make its Australian premiere this week at Hayes Theatre Co. Directed by Neil Gooding and produced by Matthew Henderson, the musical, originally based on the novel by Robert James Waller will star Helpmann Award-winning actor Kate Maree Hoolihan in the role of Francesca and Helpmann Award-nominee Martin Crewes in the role of Robert. The Bridges Of Madison County tells the iconic story of two lovers, their respective marriages and the blurred lines of life and love.

Hoolihan shared the difficulties of telling the story of an affair, “It’s quite a difficult story to tell, because it’s an affair. You want to hate them because they’re cheating, but you have to make sure that you tell the story in a way that’s understandable.”

Despite this, Hoolihan says her character Francesca is an incredible role to play, “She’s an incredible character, she’s so wonderful and warm and there are so many beautiful characteristics about her. She’s had to survive a lot of things.”

The Bridges Of Madison County is a beautiful and reflective production with Kate Maree saying, “I really hope that seeing the show will challenge the audience to reflect on their own lives. This story tells of several moments in your life that change the trajectory of your story, and we all have that.”

“The story also challenges your own morality… love is not black and white. Life is not black and white,” Kate Maree said, continuing, “there are no real right or wrong answers to many situations in life and at the end of the day being human and being kind and generous and loving people, is probably the most important lesson we can take.”

Mar 6-Apr 5. Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point. $62-$69+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.hayestheatre.com.au

By Madison Behringer