Griffin Theatre Company Season 2017

Despite funding cuts, Artistic Director Lee Lewis has announced a strong line–up for of Australian plays for 2017.

“These are the stories which will help us to know who we are”, Lewis says. “And most importantly, who we want to be in the complicated future of this country. Each play is both deeply intimate and powerfully global in its reach. Each delves into the corners of community and culture. Each play will confront us and provoke questions in us. We have the most intimate stage in this country, the best audience and when we program great writing it always attracts great talent.”

Season-opener A Strategic Plan is Ross Mueller is for anyone who has ever worked in an office; Mueller navigates the common fear of getting the sack. Directed by Chris Mead and featuring Justin Smith, this is a play about modern failure and the destruction of the everyman. For Lewis, “It takes a Ross Mueller kind of heart to understand powerlessness without self-pity”. She adds “the state of the nation he is documenting is truly frightening and his gaze is unwavering.”

The Homosexuals or Faggots reunites playwright Declan Greene with the Griffin stage to venture where many fear to tread as Declan asks some extraordinarily difficult questions of his own community: White Gay Men. How was marriage ordained as the #1 LGBTQI issue of our time? Why do some colours in the rainbow flag shine brighter than others? “Declan not only confronts the world with challenging accuracy but has the capacity to change it for the better” says Lewis, who will direct a cast that includes Lincoln Younes in this co-production with Malthouse Theatre.

Winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2016-2017, Michele Lee’sfirst mainstage play Rice sets the personal politics of two women against the global politics of the world food economy. A co-production with Queensland Theatre Company, Lee Lewis directs Kristy Bestin a brutal and tender interrogation of race, gender and the vastly different relationship that migrants of varying generations have with Australia. “Michelle is one of the next generation of Australian playwrights who writes for the world, not just Australia” says Lewis.

Katherine Thompson’s words return to the Griffin stage in Diving for Pearls to paint a searing portrait of Wollongong in the 80s where the political decisions of that time planted the seeds of divide we continue to witness today between those with opportunity, and those without. Darren Yap directs Helpmann Award-winning actor Ursula Yovichin the role of Barbara. For Lee Lewis “this play has a heart of the like we don’t often see. It’s a real honour to have Katherine’s voice back on the SBW stage.”

In the first of two special events, Robyn Archer will perform three different shows, bringing to life music from the classical cabaret repertoire. From Paris to Nazi Germany to the songs that shaped America, this is a passionate journey through Archer’s eyes and a powerful reminder of how music holds us together across time.

Smurf in Wanderland is documentary theatre maker David Williams’ examination of football, tribalism and identity. Developed during Williams’ 2015 Griffin Studio residency and in association with National Theatre of Parramatta, this is a passionate interrogation of what it means to be a fan, the theatre of sport, and the artificial wedge that has been created between Sydney and its western suburbs.

In addition to its Main Season and Special Events, Griffin continues to support independent artists. The 2017 Griffin Independent season includes:

Patrick White’s dark and gothic classic The Ham Funeral, directed by Kate Gaul

The part-vaudeville, part-cabaret Nosferatutu by Tommy Bradson, directed by Sheridan 
Harbridge 


The World Premiere of Suzie Miller’s tale of family dysfunction Sunset Strip, directed by 
Anthony Skuse 


Morgan Rose’s darkly comedic social commentary Virgins and Cowboys directed by Dave 
Sleswick


And Dan Giovanni’s Merciless Gods, directed by Stephen Nicolazzo and adapted 
from a collection of short stories by multi award-winning Christos Tsiolkas.

Griffin once again has a limited Earlybird offer, for subscribers to purchase the four Main Season shows for only $136, plus add on Special Events and Independent Season shows at heavily discounted prices. This offer is only available until Sunday 25th September 2016.

Griffin acknowledges the generosity of the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation in allowing it the use of the SBW Stables Theatre rent free, less outgoings, since 1986. Griffin Theatre Company is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and the NSW Government through Arts NSW.