Sydney Theatre Company 2017 Season
Sydney Theatre Company has announced its 2017 season, with fifteen shows across four venues. A raft of new writing, including a musical version of one of Australia’s most iconic films, an Indigenous romantic comedy and an account of migrant life within Australia’s Thai community, sits alongside fresh explorations of landmark texts and recent international plays.
Speaking about the program, Interim Artistic Director Kip Williams said:
“We are excited to present a diverse season in 2017, embracing both established and emerging voices with a number of shows passionately exploring social and racial politics, gender and identity. Some of the country’s finest actors will take to our stages in a program of largely contemporary work, including Paula Arundell, John Bell, Caroline Brazier, Jason Chong, Julie Forsyth, Heather Mitchell, Josh McConville, Eryn Jean Norvill, Chris Ryan, Shari Sebbens, John Waters, Alison Whyte, Mark Leonard Winter and Charles Wu.
“STC’s commitment to bringing fresh talent to its stages is evident throughout the season, with younger voices such as Disapol Savetsila and Nakkiah Lui amongst STC’s commissions. We can’t wait to share Griffin Theatre Company’s extraordinary The Bleeding Tree, with STC audiences. We’re delighted to welcome Sport for Jove’s Damien Ryan, making his STC debut, and thrilled to have Imara Savage join us as a new Resident Director.
“We’ll be delving into some game-changing plays from overseas, The Testament of Mary, Chimerica, The Father and 1984, in the mix with works by home-grown talents Angus Cerini, Jonathan Biggins and Andrew Upton. There are intriguing revivals of a Michael Gow classic, a Caryl Churchill masterwork and, at last, a Moira Buffini comedy. We’ve got a new adaptation of a monumental Chekhov and a fantastically impolite little riff on Shakespeare.
“And for one of STC’s biggest shows in years, the company returns to a form of theatre that has provided some of the company’s most exciting theatrical highs since The Venetian Twins in 1979, STC’s first year. A dazzling musical version of one of Australia’s great gifts to the world, Muriel’s Wedding, offers an ideal opportunity to present new Australian writing at the Roslyn Packer Theatre.”
Image: Kip Williams by James Green
The Plays
The Testament of Mary
By Colm Tóibín
13 January to 25 February 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Wednesday 18 January 2017
Alison Whyte kicks off STC’s year in the Australian premiere production of The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín, adapted from his Man Booker Prize-nominated novella. Several years after Jesus’ death, his mother is interrogated by a couple of his disciples - that “group of misfits”, as she regards them. A version of Christ’s life and death is required from the perspective of the Madonna. The matriarch of the New Testament, the beatific subject of Renaissance masters, is finally given a voice. A real woman, a real mother of flesh and blood and tears. What will she have to say? Incoming STC Resident Director Imara Savage collaborates with Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby and Composer and Sound Designer Max Lyandvert.
Image: The Testament of Mary - Alison Whyte by James Green
Away
By Michael Gow
A Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre production
18 February to 25 March 2017.
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Thursday 23 February 2017
Heather Mitchell plays Gwen, one of Michael Gow’s eight Christmas holiday makers in his landmark play Away. Set against the social upheavals of the 1960s, the 1986 classic, like the Shakespearian scenes that bookend it, resonates for audiences at all times. Placing emphasis on how events unfold through the eyes of Tom (played by Liam Nunan), an aspiring actor who must come to terms with his own mortality, director Matthew Lutton’s vision heightens the meta-theatricality inherent in Gow’s enduring classic. Marco Chiappi, Wadih Dona, Glenn Hazeldine, Natasha Herbert and Naomi Rukavina are also confirmed for this co-production with Malthouse Theatre which transfers to Melbourne after its Sydney Opera House season.
Image: Away - Heather Mitchell by James Green
Chimerica
By Lucy Kirkwood
28 February to 1 April 2017.
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Saturday 4 March 2017
Mark Leonard Winter, recipient of two 2016 Helpmann Awards (for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor), is directed by Kip Williams in Lucy Kirkwood’s international hit Chimerica, about the complex relationship between the two global superpowers of the 21st century, China and the United States. This epic, globe-trotting play centres on a fictional photojournalist who, years after he took the picture, embarks on a quest to find the subject of one of the 20th century’s most recognisable images. Who was the man, shopping bags in hand, attempting to block the column of tanks rolling through Tiananmen Square in 1989? Alongside Winter, the Australian premiere of this thriller (winner of both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best New Play) also includes Gabrielle Chan, Jason Chong, Geraldine Hakewill, Brent Hill, Shuang Hu, Anthony Brandon Wong and Charles Wu.
Image: Chimerica - Jason Chong & Mark Leonard Winter by James Green
The Bleeding Tree
By Angus Cerini
Sydney Theatre Company and Lendlease present a Griffin Theatre Company production
9 March to 8 April 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Saturday 11 March 2017
A gothic thriller, a revenge comedy and a murder ballad all in one, STC presents this 2015 Griffin Theatre Company production. The Bleeding Tree, Angus Cerini’s celebration of women fighting back against spousal abuse won a swag of awards, including Helpmanns for Best Play for Cerini, Best Direction for Lee Lewis and Best Female Actor for Paula Arundell. STC will share Griffin Theatre Company’s production with new audiences, bringing the original cast and creative team together to remount an exceptional piece of theatre.
Image: The Bleeding Tree - Airlie Dodds Paula Arundell Shari Sebbens by James Green
Talk
By Jonathan Biggins
3 April to 20 May 2017.
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Friday 7 April 2017
In Talk, Jonathan Biggins casts a critical eye on the links binding modern journalism, the justice system and the political establishment. John Waters plays John Behan, a rampaging radio talkback host filling Sydney’s airwaves with a daily diet of toxic, moralising opinion. As he learns that his words have major personal consequences, across town in the newsrooms of both a major tabloid and the national broadcaster, the zeal for a good story goes into overdrive. Retiring newsman Taffy (Peter Kowitz) has one last tale to tell but without the right platform, is anyone going to listen? The large cast also includes Valerie Bader, Helen Christinson, Lucia Mastrantone, Andrew Tighe and Hannah Waterman. Following its Sydney Opera House run, Talk tours to Belrose, Canberra and Wollongong.
Image: Talk - John Waters by James Green
The Popular Mechanicals
By Keith Robinson, William Shakespeare and Tony Taylor from the original direction of Geoffrey Rush.
Sydney Theatre Company presents a State Theatre Company South Australia production
6 April to 13 May 2017.
Wharf 2
Opening Night: Saturday 8 April 2017
State Theatre Company of South Australia’s The Popular Mechanicals comes to The Wharf with a cast including Julie Forsyth and Amber McMahon, directed by STC’s former Resident Director Sarah Giles. Farce, slapstick and bad puppetry combine in this anarchically unhinged carnival of wit and profanity as the Rude Mechanicals of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream set about presenting a ridiculously earnest and unintentionally hysterical Pyramus and Thisbe. A 30th anniversary return to Sydney – the original production was directed by Geoffrey Rush at Belvoir in 1987.
Image: The Popular Mechanicals - Amber McMahon by Kris Washusen
Black is the New White
By Nakkiah Lui
5 May to 17 June 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Wednesday 10 May 2017
Black is the New White is a romantic comedy commissioned by STC from Nakkiah Lui. Roy Gibson (Tony Briggs) decided long ago that his Indigenous family would be taking their seats at tables of influence, invited or not. With wife Joan, he has expectations for his offspring; politics, race and power are the touchstones for this dynasty. So far their daughters have followed all the cues, found their light and performed in ways to make their parents proud. But as the clan gathers for Christmas and one of his daughters brings her boyfriend home to meet the folks, there’s a problem. A white, unemployed, experimental classical music composer from a conservative background is not in any script her parents had been following. Directed by Paige Rattray the cast also includes Luke Carroll, Shari Sebbens, Anthony Taufa and Geoff Morrell.
Image: Black is the New White - Shari Sebbens by James Green
1984
By George Orwell - A new adaptation created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan
Sydney Theatre Company in association with State Theatre Company South Australia & by arrangement with Ambassador Theatre Group presents the Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse & Almeida Theatre production
28 June to 22 July 2017.
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Thursday 29 June 2017
This adaptation of one of the most significant and prescient novels of the 20th century, George Orwell’s 1984, by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, produced by British theatre innovators Headlong with Almeida Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse, has played multiple seasons in the West End and numerous international festival appearances. Now this multimedia depiction of relentless public mind-control and ubiquitous surveillance comes to Sydney as part of a national tour spearheaded by State Theatre Company of South Australia. In recent years, STC has presented at least one production from an international company, such as King Charles III from the Almeida, Steppenwolf’s August: Osage County and the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors. With 1984, an all Australian cast breathe life into this landmark British production.
1984 image by Headlong
Cloud Nine
By Caryl Churchill
1 July to 12 August 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Thursday 6 July 2017
Kip Williams directs Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine. Cross-casting in terms of gender, race and age, with actors doubling and sometimes tripling roles, a witty exploration of the complex politics of human relationships is promised. The play begins in colonial Africa, amidst the Victorian constrictions of corset and empire. Those familiar with the playwright will know it’s best to make no assumptions, and amongst other surprises, while the second half is set a century later in London, the characters of the first half have aged only 25 years. The confirmed cast includes Kate Box, Harry Greenwood and Josh McConville, with set and costume design by STC Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby.
Image: Cloud Nine - Harry Greenwood by James Green
Australian Graffiti
By Disapol Savetsila
7 July to 12 August 2017.
Wharf 2
Opening Night: Wednesday 12 July 2017
A darkly humorous and affecting new play offers insight into Australian lives often overlooked. Being the only Thai household in a small country town certainly has its challenges. Australian Graffiti is about a family that has uprooted its restaurant business too many times already when they begin to suspect that some of the locals may be less than thrilled to have them. Drawing on some of his own experiences as the son of migrants working in the restaurant trade, 22-year-old Disapol Savetsila is the youngest playwright ever commissioned by STC as part of its main stage season. His play, exploring the intricacies of identity and belonging, has been developed by STC in partnership with Asian Australian arts company Performance 4a and Playwriting Australia. Paige Rattray, who as STC’s Richard Wherrett Fellow has been associated with the evolution of the show since STC’s Rough Draft workshop in 2015, directs a cast including Srisacd Sacdpraseuth, Kenneth Moraleda and Monica Sayers.
Image: Australain Graffiti Disapol Savetsila by James Green
The Father
By Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton
A Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company production
19 August to 21 October 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Thursday 24 August 2017
The Father marks the return of John Bell in his first STC role since performances in Sydney, Washington and New York in Uncle Vanya. He’s directed by Damien Ryan, Artistic Director of Sport For Jove, making his STC debut in this co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company. Now 80 years old, André (Bell) was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne (Anita Hegh) and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pyjamas, and he can't find his watch. He’s starting to wonder if he's losing control. Written by one of France’s most celebrated contemporary writers, Florian Zeller, and translated by Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) this blazing new work was the Guardian’s Play of the Year in London, and nominated for two Tony Awards in New York, including Best Play.
Image: The Father - John Bell by James Green
Dinner
By Moira Buffini
11 September to 28 October 2017.
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Friday 15 September 2017
STC Resident Director Imara Savage directs Moira Buffini’s West End hit, Dinner. Caroline Brazier (ABC’s Rake, Griffin’s The Literati), plays Paige, a jaded hostess throwing a soiree to celebrate the launch of her husband’s self-help book. But as a very weird evening proceeds and the surprise menu is revealed, does she have more sinister plans for her unsuspecting guests? Brandon Burke, Ash Ricardo and Bruce Spence join Brazier for a very wicked food fight, with design by STC Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby.
Image: Dinner - Caroline Brazier by James Green
The Wharf Revue 2017
Written & created by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott
25 October to 30 December 2017.
Wharf 1
Opening Night: Thursday 26 October 2017
The unstoppable comedic minds of Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott have been keeping the nation’s political and cultural leaders on their metaphorical toes since before Sydney hosted the Olympics. In 2017, they return with an all-new, up-to-the-minute, fibre-to-the-node dose of side-splitting sketches and rib-tickling songs. From the highs to the lows, from the good to the bad to the ugly, this will be a parade of the year’s most memorable characters and the moments they’d prefer to forget.
Image: Wharf Revue - Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott by James Green
Three Sisters
By Anton Chekhov in a new adaptation by Andrew Upton
6 November to 16 December 2017.
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Friday 10 November 2017
Following The Present and Uncle Vanya, STC serves up the third of a Chekhov-via-Upton triptych with Three Sisters, this time directed by Kip Williams. In a remote Russian town, the orphaned Prozorov sisters yearn for Moscow, dreaming of freedom, sex, work and romance in former STC Artistic Director Andrew Upton’s new adaptation. Casting already confirmed includes Eryn Jean Norvill, Chris Ryan and Brandon McClelland.
Image: Three Sisters Eryn Jean Norvill by James Green
Muriel’s Wedding - The Musical
Book by PJ Hogan, music and lyrics by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall , with songs by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson originally written for ABBA
A Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures production
6 November to 30 December 2017
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Saturday 18 November 2017
Muriel Heslop is back! And this time she’s singing. Stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, Muriel dreams of the perfect wedding – the white dress, the church, the attention. Unfortunately, there’s one thing missing. A groom. Following her dreams to Sydney, Muriel ends up with everything she ever wanted – a man, a fortune and a million Twitter followers. That’s when things start to go really wrong.
For Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, original writer-director PJ Hogan has updated his own screenplay to today. The director/designer team of Simon Phillips and Gabriela Tylesova (Love Never Dies, Ladies in Black and STC’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead) lead the creative team, with original music by award-winning singer-songwriters Kate Miller- Heidke and Keir Nuttall, alongside those fabulous ABBA numbers.
2017 Season Tickets are on sale from Tuesday 13 September 2016
To receive a 2017 season brochure call (02) 9250 1777
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