Peter Goers is returning to Adelaide Repertory Theatre, this time behind the scenes to direct Neil Simon’s celebrated comedy The Sunshine Boys. The production runs at The Arts Theatre on Angas Street from Thursday 10 to Saturday 19 September 2026.
The play follows Al Lewis and Willie Clark, a once-famous vaudeville duo who haven’t spoken in years. When they’re brought back together in the same room, old rivalries, bruised egos and decades of resentment come flooding back in a storm of rapid-fire comedy.
Goers, who will also take a cameo role in the production, describes the play as a theatrical masterpiece.
“The Sunshine Boys is a very funny play about very sad things,” he said. “Loneliness, old age, stubbornness, professional riffs and being washed up in showbusiness. It’s a masterpiece from Neil Simon, the most successful American playwright, and I’ve wanted to direct the play for a long time.”
South Australian stage veterans Robert Cusenza and Robin Schmelzkopf take on the roles of the feuding comedians, with Penni Hamilton-Smith and Lauren Thiel rounding out the cast.
The production follows Adelaide Rep’s season-opening success with The Man Who Came to Dinner, which also featured Goers in a starring role.
Adelaide Rep Chairman David Sinclair says the company is thrilled to be working with Goers again.
“The Man Who Came to Dinner was The Rep’s most successful production in over a decade,” Sinclair said. “We are pleased to reunite with Peter Goers and a leading South Australian ensemble for one of the most significant comedies in American history. This production marks the continuation of an exciting new era for The Rep, and we are proud to be championing community theatre in South Australia.”
Performance dates and times
- Thursday 10 September, 7:30pm
- Friday 11 September, 7:30pm
- Saturday 12 September, 2pm and 7:30pm
- Sunday 13 September, 4pm
- Wednesday 16 September, 7:30pm
- Thursday 17 September, 7:30pm
- Friday 18 September, 7:30pm
- Saturday 19 September, 2pm and 7:30pm
Tickets
General admission is $35, with concession tickets at $32. Every ticket includes a $1 seat levy contributing to The Arts Theatre redevelopment fund.
Purchase tickets at artstheatresa.sales.ticketsearch.com.
The Sunshine Boys is presented by Adelaide Repertory Theatre by arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French: A Concord Theatricals Company.
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