Spy: Murdoch dynasty on stage

Actors Stuart Devenie (left) and Damian Avery, who play a old and young Rupert Murdoch in Auckland Theatre Company's production Rupert. Photo / Brett Phibbs

This Saturday, hot on the heels of media titan Rupert Murdoch's making his succession plans public, comes the Auckland premiere of the all-singing, all-dancing play about his life, Rupert.

And the Auckland Theatre Company production hasn't had the same problems recruiting actors to play the billionaire as producers of a West End season of the David Williamson stage show. Williamson told the BBC last October several actors had turned down the role as they were "actually scared of playing Rupert on stage".

In the Auckland production, Murdoch will be played by two actors: Sir Stuart Devenie (old Rupert) and Damien Avery (young Rupert).

Avery thinks the production will get people talking: "I have faith the play will, at the very least, create further discussions about the man himself and his influence on the world."

Devenie's only apprehension is over getting the dance moves right for his elderly Rupert Murdoch.

Stuart Devenie as Rupert Murdoch. Photo / Supplied, Charles Howells

The ATC's lawyers, Kensington Swan, had to review and approve the script. You would, when you are staging a bio of one of the world's most powerful men, ex-wives included.

Stage queen Jennifer Ward-Lealand will be a busy lady on the boards, playing Murdoch's first wife, Anna, and disgraced News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks.