Ensemble Theatre 2026 Season

Image: Bette & Joan. Jeanette Cronin as Bette Davis and Lucia Mastrantone as Joan Crawford.

Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2026 season, featuring fresh Australian voices, the international plays and new and returning Ensemble faces across 10 plays and one special event.

Ensemble Artistic Director, Mark Kilmurry said, “This year is a special one for me — it marks 10 years as Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic Director and 20 years since I was appointed Associate Director. It’s been an incredible journey working alongside some of the finest creatives and actors in the country.

“In my past decade at the helm, Ensemble has commissioned 25 new Australian plays, launched exciting initiatives for young artists including the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Award, and continued to champion the wonder of storytelling on stage.

“Ensemble’s 2026 Season celebrates everything I love about live theatre — fresh contemporary voices and timeless classics that continue to captivate. I can’t wait to share this new chapter with audiences and artists alike.”

ENSEMBLE THEATRE 2026 SEASON

THE SOCIAL LADDER: 23 JANUARY – 14 MARCH
David Williamson AO’s signature satirical bite is on full display in the world premiere of his latest work, The Social Ladder. Katie doesn’t want a taste of the high life – she wants a seat at the table. When she invites elite Sydney power couple and art collecting heavyweights Charles and Catherine Mallory over for dinner, Katie’s all in. As drinks flow and polite facades start to crack, the evening unravels into a night of lies, cover ups and social desperation.

World Premiere
By David Williamson
Directed by Janine Watson
Cast of six includes Mandy Bishop, Sarah Chadwick and Andrew McFarlane

BETTE & JOAN: 20 MARCH – 25 APRIL
In Hollywood’s Golden Age, two queens reigned supreme – Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Anton Burge’s deliciously wicked two-hander makes its Australian premiere, pulling back the curtain on the set where egos clashed, tempers flared, and a legendary feud hit boiling point. With Jeanette Cronin (Dark Voyager) as Bette Davis and Lucia Mastrantone (Master Class) as Joan Crawford, take a front row seat to an iconic battle of barbs, ambition and brilliance.

Australian Premiere
By Anton Burge
Directed by Liesel Badorrek
Cast of two includes Jeanette Cronin and Lucia Mastrantone

84 CHARING CROSS ROAD: 1 MAY – 13 JUNE
When a wise-cracking New York writer and a reserved London bookdealer strike up a correspondence over their shared love of dusty old books, neither expects to find a lifelong friend tucked between the pages. Co-directed by and featuring Mark Kilmurry, alongside double Gold Logie winner Georgie Parker, 84 Charing Cross Road is a celebration of connection, compassion, and the joy of finding kindred spirits in the most unlikely places.

By Helene Haff
Adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans Co-directed by Mark Kilmurry and Julia Robertson
Cast of four includes Mark Kilmurry and Georgie Parker

THE ROOMMATE: 19 JUNE – 25 JULY
Lucy Bell stars in the Australian premiere of award-winning playwright Jen Silverman’s dark comedy, The Roommate. Sharon’s never broken a rule in her life. Robyn’s broken most of them. When a recently divorced, buttoned-up Iowa homebody takes in a mysterious, fast- talking housemate from the Bronx to help pay the bills, her quiet Midwestern life gets a serious shake-up. Two very different women clash, reinvent themselves, and discover that sometimes the biggest risk is opening the door to change.

Australian Premiere
By Jen Silverman
Directed by Lee Lewis
Cast of two includes Lucy Bell

THE DAPTO CHASER: 29 JUNE – 25 JULY

When your beloved dog’s your golden ticket and your family’s a ticking time bomb, what could possibly go wrong? With the odds stacked against them, the Sinclair family’s biggest gamble might not be on their champion, Boy Named Sue – but on each other. Mary Rachel Brown’s quintessentially Australian play The Dapto Chaser, is a biting, black comedy that dives into the brutal reality of addiction to the track, where every win is a fleeting victory and every loss tastes like stale kibble.

By Mary Rachel Brown
Directed by Anna Houston
Cast of four includes Peter Carroll, André De Vanny and Justin Rosniak

TOP SILK: 31 JULY – 12 SEPTEMBER
In David Williamson’s second offering of the season, Ensemble presents Williamson’s fast- paced cross-examination of moral dilemmas, family dynamics and the true cost of success, Top Silk. For Jane Fredericks, the fight for justice is personal. As a passionate legal aid solicitor, Jane risks everything to help an old flame, and her world quickly unravels – both in the courtroom and at home. Her husband Trevor, a prominent barrister, faces his own ethical conundrum: defend a powerful media mogul to advance his career or protect his integrity.

By David Williamson
Directed by Mark Kilmurry
Cast of eight includes Thomas Campbell and Nicole da Silva

THE ELEVATOR: 18 SEPTEMBER – 18 OCTOBER
Sharp, funny, and fearless, Eloise Snape’s new Australian comedy, The Elevator, makes its world premiere at Ensemble in October. Margot’s back from mat leave – and she’s not messing around. Before nappies and sleepless nights, Eco Engines was spiralling through a PR meltdown, tanking faster than you can say “carbon footprint”. Now she’s back in the CEO chair, ready to rally her team of corporate eco-warriors and clean up the mess. The Elevator delivers a whirlwind of laughs and truth bombs in this no-fluff office satire.

World Premiere
By Eloise Snape
Directed by Anthea Williams
Cast of three includes Di Adams and Emma Harvie

THE YEAR IN TATTERS – A REVUE: 28 SEPTEMBER – 24 OCTOBER
The revue tradition returns to Sydney as four of Australia’s sharpest comedic performers cast a satirical eye over the highs and lows of 2026! Join Andrew Hansen (The Chaser), Mark Humphries (7.30), Chris Taylor (The Chaser) and Christie Whelan Browne (Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell) as they fearlessly skewer the year in politics, culture and everything in between. The Year in Tatters is the antidote we all need to these increasingly uncertain times, promising a hilarious night of sketches, songs and lawsuits in the making.

World Premiere
Directorial Advisor Mark Kilmurry

Written by Andrew Hansen, Mark Humphries, Chris Taylor and Evan Williams
Cast of four includes Andrew Hansen, Mark Humphries, Chris Taylor and Christie Whelan Browne

SNOWFLAKE: 30 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER
Mike Bartlett’s Snowflake is a laugh-out-loud, lump-in-your-throat festive showdown about generational differences. All Andy wants for Christmas is an X-Files box set, some bloody common sense in politics, and maybe – just maybe – a second chance with his daughter, Maya. The holidays are the perfect time for a family reunion... right? Or will she be too busy planning to dismantle the patriarchy before pudding?

By Mike Bartlett
Directed by Jo Bradley
Cast of three includes Lilian Alejandra Valverde, Claudia Elbourne and James Lugton

MIDNIGHT MURDER ON THE CHRISTMAS CRUISE OF DEATH: 27 NOVEMBER – 10 JANUARY 2027
Rounding out the season, Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould join forces for the world premiere of their latest comedy, Midnight Murder on the Christmas Cruise of Death. After the rip-roaring success of Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall, the Middling Cove Players gather to decide what’s to be their next extravaganza. Struggling for survival after many defections to a rival amateur dramatics group, they realise this show must be their most epic production yet. What could possibly go wrong?

World Premiere
By Mark Kilmurry & Jamie Oxenbould
Directed by Mark Kilmurry
Cast of five includes Toby Blome, Sam O’Sullivan, Jamie Oxenbould, Ariadne Sgouros and Eloise Snape

THE SHADOW OF FAME: 17 – 23 AUGUST
Blending wit, warmth and unflinching honesty, join actor Daniel Mitchell on a deeply personal journey through fame, family and the complex bond between father and son in this special event. In London, you couldn’t swing a teacup without hearing the name – Warren Mitchell. Or rather, Till Death Us Do Part’s Alf Garnett, shouting from a telly in every lounge room like he owned the neighbourhood. But what was it like to grow up under the weight of a towering TV legend? Daniel Mitchell lifts the curtain on a life lived in the wings – navigating school life, acting dreams, and what it means to step out of the shadow and into your own spotlight.

World Premiere
Written and performed by Daniel Mitchell Directed by Paulina Kelly

Subscriptions for Ensemble’s 2026 season are on sale via http://www.ensemble.com.au/