“This is Personal is a one-woman show that declines to follow a well-trodden path. This is not stand-up and we’re not looking for cheap laughs…we’ve covered life, death, love, the miracle of swivel chairs and carpet squares, unthinkable loss and unquenchable hope. Tissues at the ready. It’s not all serious. The naked self-reflection is punctuated by big, loud, roaringly funny scenes of family life, conjured up by Coustas with a mixture of physical theatre and masterful comic timing.”
Harriet Cunningham, Sydney Morning Herald
After a successful season at the Opera House and a series of rave reviews, This Is Personal will be gracing venues across the country to give Australians a powerful and unforgettable insight into the woman behind the infamous and iconic boofhead Effie.
Brilliantly directed by Blazey Best (Well Behaved Women, Sensitive Guys, Kings for Pigs), Mary addresses questions from her inquisitive daughter, her answers forcing her to reflect on what she can offer from her own life experience… and more importantly what she can’t. The audience are introduced to the characters from Mary’s family who have shaped her life.
Laced with Coustas’ comedic flair, This Is Personal is a kaleidoscopic exploration of love, loss and laughter, and how all three come to define us.
“This show gives me the freedom to discuss the themes we all face in this life – race, gender, belonging, and freedom of expression. Now, I feel I am ready to tackle these issues of the human condition as Mary. To step away from the puppet and expose the puppeteer.” – Mary Coustas
Mary Coustas has starred in multiple national tours (Wogs Out of Work, Effie the Virgin Bride) and brought powerhouse persona Effie into living rooms around Australia in the seminal sitcom Acropolis Now (for which she was awarded a Logie for Most Popular Comedy Personality) and Greeks on The Roof (Seven Network). Mary has continued to thrill audiences with many stage shows since. She is also the author of Effie’s Guide to Being Up Yourself and critically acclaimed memoir All I Know.
“This Is Personal’ is an absolute masterclass in theatrical storytelling. Mary Coustas is a seasoned pro and it shows in every minute that she knocks it out of the park at the Sydney Opera House. What a joy and a privilege it is to see a woman “of a certain age” absolutely owning her experience, creativity, talent, wisdom and most of all her inherited gift “to find the funny.”
Michelle Sutton – Theatre Travels
“From the moment Coustas walks onto the stage until the moment she walks off to loud applause and a standing ovation, I am enthralled with the way the Greek actress explores how love, loss, laughter and fear played a huge role in her everyday life.Using her typical comedic flair, Coustas cleverly unpacks her baggage in a sharp 65 minute monologue.” The Greek Herald
“With multiple national tours, a hugely successful television career and a critically acclaimed memoir under her belt, Coustas saves her most personal insights for this special production. But it’s her signature comedic flair that shines throughout, ensuring the performance is as hilarious as it is (sometimes) heartbreaking.” Time Out
2023 TOUR DATES:
CANBERRA, Canberra Theatre Centre 3 – 4 March
Pre-sale Dec 12 | On-sale Dec 14
BRISBANE, Brisbane Powerhouse 8 – 11 March (Preview 8 March)
Pre-sale Dec 12 | On-sale Dec 14
ADELAIDE, Adelaide Festival Centre – Dunston Playhouse 4 – 6 May (Preview 4 May)
Pre-sale Dec 9 | On-sale Dec 13
DARWIN, Darwin Entertainment Centre – Playhouse 10 – 13 May
Pre-sale Dec 12| On-sale Dec 14
SYDNEY, The Concourse Chatswood 13 – 17 June (Preview 13 June)
Pre-sale Dec 12 | On-sale Dec 14
MELBOURNE, Arts Centre Melbourne – Playhouse 27 June – 1 July (Preview 27 June)
Pre-sale Dec 13 | On-sale Dec 15
More information
http://maryandeffie.com