The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas

Curtin’s Theatre Arts and the Hayman Theatre Company are looking forward to presenting Dennis Kelly’s darkly comical play, The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas. Directed by award-winning director Rachel McMurray, this searing, surreal satire unpicks the chilling ease with which personal morality can be traded for power and wealth in a world dominated by unrelenting capitalism.
This Faustian tale follows the life of Gorge (pronounced George) Mastromas. We witness his transformation from a completely average, passive boy into a multi-billionaire corporate juggernaut who operates by three Golden Rules: Take what you want. Lie without flinching. Never look back. Gorge’s spectacular ascent to power is matched only by the absolute decay of his personal life, culminating in a meticulously woven web of lies, family betrayal, and a devastatingly isolated downfall.
“In a world where morality feels increasingly fragile, this play asks us how far we are willing to compromise our values in order to succeed,” says director Rachel McMurray. “Kelly doesn’t give us the answers or tell us what to think rather, he invites us into the conversation. He asks us to question not just Gorge’s choices, but our own.”
McMurray, who recently won Outstanding New Work, Outstanding Direction, and Best Independent Production for Shadow of Doubt at the 2026 Performing Arts Awards of WA, brings an extensive background of UK and Australian theatrical expertise to this production. Her vision leans heavily into the play’s unique, performance-driven format that draws the audience into Gorge’s world.
“My aim has been to create a production that feels immediate, intimate and, at times, confronting,” McMurray explains. “From the beginning, the focus has been on the actors, because that’s where the real power of this play lies. It’s driven by performance, storytelling, and the relationship the actors build with the audience.”
Perth audiences can expect a gripping, high-stakes night of theatre that challenges the modern definition of success.
“This isn’t a play that asks you to sit back and simply watch,” notes McMurray. “It invites you to lean in, form your own opinions, and wrestle with some difficult questions about how easily our values can shift when we’re faced with the opportunity to get ahead.”