Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta 2024 Season

Image: Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World. Chris Payne

Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) has announced a program of premiere work for 2024, promising a “commitment to presenting inspiring work that uplifts fresh voices is at the heart of the 2024 season, with NTofP taking great pleasure in curating a vibrant lineup of exclusively culturally diverse artists, celebrating their rich contributions to Sydney’s arts scene through new Australian works, alongside acclaimed international productions.”

2024 kicks off with the Australian premiere of Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World, co-written by Javaad Alipoor and Chris Thorpe. An investigation into the nature of investigation, with the unsolved murder of a pop icon at its centre, Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World will feature in the 2024 Sydney Festival season in January at the Sydney Opera House performed by Javaad Alipoor and Asha Reid with Raam Emami (King Raam), together with on-stage musician Me-Lee Hay. NTofP promises, “This dazzlingly complex show unpicks the way our thinking can be conditioned by the tools we use and by the assumptions of both those constructing them and using them.”

Image: Karim. Photographer: Kathy Lu

NTofP’s 2024 season continues with the world premiere of James Elazzi’s Karim in July. Directed by James Elazzi (Lady Tabouli) and Shane Anthony (Sugary Rum Productions’ Anatomy of a Suicide, Outhouse Theatre Co’s Ulster American) with Youssef Sabet as Karim. Exploring families, duty and generational divides from the perspective of Karim, who through pursuing beauty, feels that there is more to life than scavenging trash or being a farm labourer and longs to escape from the rural outskirts of Western Sydney.

Image: Guards at the Taj. Photographer: Kathy Luu.

September sees a return season of Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj, before embarking on a national tour, promising “a heartbreakingly funny friendship put to the ultimate test and existential banter reminiscent of Beckett and Stoppard, mixing witty black comedy with the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy.”

Image: Yoga Play. Photographer: Kathy Lu.

Rounding out the 2024 season in October is the Australian premiere of Yoga Play by Dipika Guha, directed by Mina Morita. A tale of downward dog and downward profits, a scathing and sassy takedown of cultural appropriation, exploitation, consumerism, fat shaming and yoga pants. NTofP partners with La Boite Theatre on this Australian premiere production.

NTofP’s Staging the World mentorship program will continue in 2024, an intensive skills development program for artists to work with, and be mentored by established international BIPOC artists. In its second year, Staging the World will give directors the opportunity to attend an intensive two-week mentorship with internationally renowned director Mina Morita (Artistic Director, Crowded Fire Theatre, San Francisco).

2024 also marks the continuation of the True West program, a celebration of the talent and creativity of Western Sydney artists and NtofP’s commitment to developing an artistic and cultural hub in Parramatta. True West performances and events take place throughout the year with a highlight being their artist salons, celebrations of spoken word, music, theatre and more. Kicking off 2024 is a one-night-only performance of White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour.

NTofP Executive Producer, Joanne Kee, said, “We hope you can join us and that along the way explore your own space and inner truth with a season of inspiration, insight and empowerment. Come and see theatre that is bold and inspiring, as we tell stories that resonate with and touch the heart. Our shows speak to the contemporary world as we embrace and celebrate life.

Riverside Theatres’ Director, Craig McMaster added, "We're excited to unveil the 2024 season of Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, a tapestry of stories that will captivate hearts, challenge minds, and celebrate the rich diversity of our community. Our 2024 line-up promises to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, and we invite you to join with us as we continue to support and foster Western Sydney’s extraordinary artists and creatives in a season of wonderful new works".

https://riversideparramatta.com.au/NTofP.

National Theatre of Parramatta’s 2024 Program of Works:

Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World – 19th to 21st January (Australian Premiere, Sydney Festival) at Sydney Opera House

True West Program: White Rabbit Red Rabbit – 13th March

Karim – 25th July to 10th August (World Premiere)

Guards at the Taj – 12th to 14th September

Yoga Play – 17th October – 2nd November (Australian Premiere)