Sydney Theatre Company 2019 Season
Sydney Theatre Company has unveiled its 2019 Season – Kip Williams’ second as Artistic Director - a program of thirteen shows across four venues.
Among the highlights, Rebel Wilson, Mia Wasikowska, Celia Pacquola and Patrick Jhanur make their STC mainstage debuts, featuring alongside STC audience favourites including Hugo Weaving, Pamela Rabe, Helen Thomson, Caroline Brazier, Michelle Lim Dividson, Zahra Newman, Amber McMahon, Rahel Romahn, Hunter Page-Lochard, Geraldine Hakewill and Toby Schmitz.
Directors such as Sarah Goodes, Priscilla Jackman, Simon Phillips, Anne-Louise Sarks, Clare Watson as well STC’s own Kip Williams, Jessica Arthur (STC Directing Associate), Paige Rattray (STC Associate Director) and Imara Savage (STC Resident Director) will bring these shows to life.
Fresh explorations of classics by Tom Stoppard, Louis Nowra, Oriel Gray and Tennessee Williams, are showcased next to international contemporary works by Lucy Kirkwood and Martin McDonagh, alongside exciting new Australian writing by Van Badham, Nakkiah Lui and Anchuli Felicia King.
With The Wharf enjoying a much-needed renovation, STC perform at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Riverside Parramatta and The Studio, Sydney Opera House.
Speaking about the season, Artistic Director Kip Williams said:
“In 2018 our season looked at leadership and social responsibility in all its forms. In 2019 we continue this exploration with a series of stories that examine the various ways we battle for political power. We also bring the focus inward, examining perhaps the most personal political institution of all: the family. Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, sisters and brothers. It’s a look at how we live together, and the moral ambit of our society.
“The Season is jam-packed with your favourite artists breathing new life into work by some of the world’s best writers. Greats like Tennessee Williams and Tom Stoppard are joined by a cohort of innovative Australian playwrights with stories that reflect the world around us today.
“Sydney Theatre Company is the only place you can see the phenomenal Hugo Weaving and Pamela Rabe team up in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, whilst Nakkiah Lui follows her recent success with a new comedy that turns politics on its head with How to Rule the World. The wonderful Caroline Brazier and Helen Thomson go head to head in the royal drama Mary Stuart, and Anita Hegh and Mandy McElhinney make an extraordinary duo in Lucy Kirkwood’s latest hit, Mosquitoes.
“Two of Australia’s most exciting young screen actors return from America to make their main stage debuts at STC: we are thrilled to have international comedic force Rebel Wilson in the masterpiece The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and the acclaimed Mia Wasikowska in a new interpretation of Lord of the Flies.
“2019 will bring you lots of laughs, thought-provoking conversation and plenty to sink your teeth into.”
THE PLAYS
Mary Stuart
A New Adaptation by Kate Mulvany, after Friedrich Schiller.
Imara Savage directs, with Caroline Brazier as Mary and Helen Thomson as Elizabeth I.
World Premiere
5 Feb – 2 Mar
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Sat 9 Feb 2019
How to Rule the World
By Nakkiah Lui
World Premiere
11 Feb – 30 Mar’
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Fri 15 Feb 2019
Mosquitoes
By Lucy Kirkwood
Australian Premiere
8 Apr – 18 May
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Fri 12 Apr 2019
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
By Tennessee Williams
Kip Williams will direct Hugo Weaving ( Big Daddy), Pamela Rabe (Big Mama) and Zahra Newman (Maggie the Cat).29 Apr – 8 Jun
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Fri 3 May 2019
The Torrents
By Oriel Gray
A Sydney Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre Company Production
With Celia Pacquola
18 Jul – 24 Aug
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Sat 20 Jul 2019
Lord of the Flies
By William Golding, adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams
Kip Williams directs a cast including Mia Wasikowska.
World Premiere
23 Jul – 24 Aug
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Sat 27 Jul 2019
Banging Denmark
By Van Badham
World Premiere
Jessica Arthur directs a cast including Amber McMahon, Megan Wilding and Michelle Lim Davidson.
26 Jul – 24 Aug
The Studio, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Wed 31 July 2019
Avalanche: A Love Story
By Julia Leigh
Sydney Theatre Company presents a Barbican London and Fertility Fest Production
World Premiere
29 Aug – 14 Sep
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Sat 31 Aug 2019
The Real Thing
By Tom Stoppard
Simon Phillips directs a cast including Geraldine Hakewill and Toby Schmitz.
9 Sep – 26 Oct
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Fri 13 Sep 2019
The Wharf Revue 2019
Written and Created by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott
25 Sep – 26 Oct
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Thu 26 Sep 2019
White Pearl
By Anchuli Felicia King
Australian Premiere
Sydney Theatre Company and Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta
24 Oct – 9 Nov
Lennox Theatre, Riverside Parramatta
Opening Night: Sat 26 Oct 2019
Così
By Louis Nowra
A Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company Production
1 Nov – 14 Dec
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opening Night: Tue 5 Nov 2019
The Beauty Queen of Leenane
By Martin McDonagh
Starring Rebel Wilson. Director Paige Rattray.
18 Nov – 21 Dec
Roslyn Packer Theatre
Opening Night: Fri 22 Nov 2019
Images: Kip Williams (photographer: Daniel Boud); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Pamela Rabe, Zahra Newman and Hugo Weaving; Mary Stuart - Helen Thomson and Caroline Brazier; Mosquitoes - Mandy McElhinney and Anita Hegh; Lord of the Flies - Mia Wasikowska; The Real Thing - Toby Schmitz and Geraldine Hakewill; Wharf Revue 2019 - Drew Forsythe and Simon Burke; The Beauty Queen of Lennane - Rebel Wilson (photographer: Rene Vaile).
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