Party Tricks
Genre
CreatorMichael Lucas
DirectorKate Dennis
Emma Freeman
Starring
ComposerBryony Marks
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Num seasons1
Num episodes6
Executive producerRick Maier
Janeen Faithfull
ProducerMichael Lucas
John Edwards
Imogen Banks
EditorDennis Haratzis
LocationMelbourne, Australia
CinematographyJohn Brawley
Runtime60 minutes
CompanyEndemol Australia[1]
ChannelNetwork Ten
Eleven (Catch-Up)
First aired6 October 2014
Last aired10 November 2014

Party Tricks was an Australian television political drama/comedy series starring Asher Keddie and Rodger Corser. It premiered on Network Ten on 6 October 2014 at 8:30pm.[2]

On 3 October 2014 John Edwards confirmed that Party Tricks would not return for a second series in 2015, due to Ten's production division running out of money.[3]

Plot

Kate Ballard (Asher Keddie) is facing her first re-election as State Premier. Committed and rigorous, her victory seems assured until the opposition announce a shocking new candidate: David McLeod (Rodger Corser), a popular media personality, and a man Kate had a secret, tumultuous affair with several years ago. To the world at large, David and Kate present as compelling, evenly-matched adversaries but a paranoid Kate fears that their complicated history is a trump card waiting to be played. Told in six parts, building to an election-night finale, this is a cat-and-mouse game, played out on a grand scale.

Conception

On 26 July 2013, Network Ten announced a new drama project from Endemol Australia named Party Tricks, a six-part drama series by the producers of Offspring, Puberty Blues, The Secret Life of Us and Tangle; John Edwards and Imogen Banks.[4]

Producer, Imogen Banks stated, "Politics, power and sex – what better elements for a big, juicy story? I cannot wait to make it. We're grateful to the country's politicians for living a reality that is far stranger than anything we could dream up. But it's our enormous pleasure to try."[1][4]

Production

Ten's head of drama, Rick Maier stated, "Imogen Banks and John Edwards have brought together the best of the best for this exciting new series, while Michael Lucas has created the perfect star vehicle for Asher and Rodger."[1]

Filming for the first season began on 5 May 2014 and wrapped on 27 June 2014.[5]

The six-part series produced by Imogen Banks and John Edwards for Endemol Australia and Network Ten with the assistance of Screen Australia and Film Victoria. It is created by Michael Lucas.[1]

Cast

  • Asher Keddie as Kate Ballard,[4] Labor Premier of Victoria and Member of Parliament for Richmond. Former Minister for Planning, Education, and Deputy Premier. Succeeded Rob Hutchens as Premier a year and a half prior to the start of the series.
  • Rodger Corser as David McLeod,[4] Victorian Liberal Party Leader, Liberal Candidate for Premier, and Candidate for Mount Waverley. Succeeded Neil Thorby as Leader of the Liberals in Victoria. Ultimately succeeds Ballard as Premier.
  • Adam Zwar as Trevor Bailey,[1] Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party and Interim Opposition Leader
  • Angus Sampson as Wayne Duffy,[1] Press Secretary and Spin Doctor to the Premier
  • Colin Moody as Geoff Ballard,[1] the Premier's Husband
  • Kaiya Jones as Matilda McLeod,[1] McLeod's Daughter
  • Oliver Ackland as Tom Worland,[1] State Political Reporter and Ollie's boyfriend
  • Doris Younane as Paula Doumani,[1] Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport
  • Charlie Garber as Oliver 'Ollie' Parkham,[1] the Premier's Speechwriter
  • Ash Ricardo as Charlotte Wynn,[1] Campaign Director for McLeod
  • Ryan Powell as Shaggy Mycology[1]
  • Michala Banas as Tanya Keegan[6]
  • Thomas Campbell as Jonathan[7]
  • Neil Melville as Duncan Guthrie, former President of the Victorian Liberal Party
  • Gareth Yuen as Lucas Fry, Liberal Party Volunteer
  • Georgia Bolton as Kez, Kate's Security Detail
  • Catherine Glavicic as Ann-Marie Dwyer

Ratings

EpisodeTitleOriginal airdateOvernight ViewersConsolidated ViewersNightly RankAdjusted Rank
1-01The Announcement6 October 20140,710[8]0,806[9]14[8]12[9]
1-02The Meeting13 October 20140,476[10]0,570[11]Not in Top 20
1-03The Launch20 October 20140,407[12]0,484[13]Not in Top 20
1-04The Campaign Trail27 October 20140,467[14]Not in Top 20
1-05The Debate3 November 20140,430[15]Not in Top 20
1-06The Election10 November 20140,530[16]Not in Top 20
  • Figures are OzTAM Data for the 5 City Metro areas.
  • Overnight – Live broadcast and recordings viewed the same night.
  • Consolidated – Live broadcast and recordings viewed within the following seven days.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2015Logie Awards[17]Most Popular Personality on Australian TelevisionAsher Keddie
Most Popular Actress

References

  1. ^ "Further cast announced for Party Tricks". TV Tonight. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Party Tricks". Endemol Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Offspring cancelled: Asher Keddie has played beloved character for last time". The Guardian. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Asher Keddie, Rodger Corser in new TEN drama, Party Tricks.". TV Tonight. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  5. ^ "In production". Film Victoria. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Michala Banas". Showcast. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Thomas Campbell". Showcast. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  8. ^ Knox, David (7 October 2014). "Monday 6 October 2014". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  9. ^ Knox, David (14 October 2014). "Timeshifted: Monday 6 October 2014". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  10. ^ Knox, David (14 October 2014). "Numbers swing against Party Tricks as Seven takes Monday". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Monday 13th October 2014". Media Spy. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  12. ^ Knox, David (21 October 2014). "Lowest X Factor finale yet for Seven". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Monday 20th October 2014". Media Spy. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  14. ^ Knox, David (28 October 2014). "Big Bang bests Monday". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  15. ^ Knox, David (4 November 2014). "Party Tricks down ahead of TEN Upfronts". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  16. ^ Knox, David (11 November 2014). "Party Tricks finale lifts, Australian Story scores for ABC". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  17. ^ Willis, Charlotte (22 March 2015). "Here's the full List of 2015 Logies nominations". news.com.au. Retrieved 23 March 2015.