February - Pénétration by Joris Lacoste

For the first time, MFT hired the atmospheric Erwin Rado theatrette in Johnston Street, Fitzroy.
The play was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Michael Bula Solicitors in paying for the airfare and director’s fee of Joris Lacoste, the playwright, who also directed, adapted and acted in the show in Melbourne with the strong cast consisting of Mandy Mouellic, Pascal Rigaldiès, Miranda Nation and Adam Cass.

The show attracted a different profile of audience and brought an MFT production to a cross section of the community not otherwise involved.

The play was performed in a bilingual version, with the English version translated by Michael Bula.

May – Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti

From Eddy Fatha’s stunning and colourful poster image to director Morgan Dowsett’s 60’s spoof version, Boeing Boeing was a success from the start, with a sizzling-hot cast which included Jean-François Delvaen as Bernard, the famous architect, Dominique Gibert as Robert, his friend, Elise Pioch as Berthe, Bernard’s maid, Florence Rivière-Meyer as Jacqueline, the French air hostess, Catherine Pierce as Judith, the German air hostess and Cynthia Sica as Janet, the American air hostess.

This play broke all box office records for the past 28 years attracting more than 1,535 people.
The play was staged in the magnificent heritage building Central Hall in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

SEPTEMBER - Le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard by Marivaux

A newcomer to the MFT was director Karen Berger, who brought a fresh influence on one of Marivaux’s most successful and well known plays, which was also performed in the wonderful surrounds of Central Hall. This was the 3rd presentation of the work by MFT in 29 years, the last were in 1986 and 1988.

The play was presented in a boxing ring/catwalk stage with the audience seated on the existing stage and on the ground in a transverse fashion.

The cast included: Henry Mera as Monsieur Orgon, Michael Bula as Mario, his son, Catherine Pierce as Silvia, his daughter, Amanda Sergent as Lisette, her femme de chambre, Bruno Gutton as Dorante, gentilhomme and the triumphant return of MFT co-founder David Gorrie as Arlequin, his valet.
 

This was the most successful Marivaux play ever in attracting more than 800 spectators.
The play was presented in French with video projected English surtitles.

 

November – Théâtre Sans Animaux by Jean-Michel Ribes

MFT was honoured to welcome another new female director, Miki Oikawa who brought a distinctly Japanese style in the interpretation and presentation of these wonderful sketches from Jean-Michel Ribes, the director of the Théâtre du Rond-Point, in Paris.

The cast included: Michael Bula, Mélanie Gollain, Henry Mera, Angélique Mie, Romain Hermelin, Mandy Mouellic, Annabel Pemberton, Vanessa Peltier, and Franciska Toubale.
 
Five out of the original ten sketches were presented in a rehearsed reading, similar to the format for Pénétration, to cap off an intense year of productions for MFT in 2005.