Ensemble Theatre Season 2023

Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2023 season, with everything from classics to new works, comedy, to drama. Next year sees another 10-play season take to the stage,  with a focus on female writing and directing.

Ensemble Artistic Director, Mark Kilmurry said, “Striking a balance between celebrating local talent and bringing the best overseas plays to Sydney, as well as reprising classics and staging world premieres, 2023 has it all. A packed season that will take you on a journey through the full range of the human experience, from the deeply personal to outbursts of joy and laughter and great comedies along the way”.

ENSEMBLE THEATRE 2023 SEASON

A BROADCAST COUP: 26 JANUARY – 4 MARCH

A new comedy about a cut-throat journalist taking media stars down, one at a time. Cast includes Matt Backer, Amber McMahon and Sharon Millerchip. Playwright Melanie Tait teams up with director Janine Watson to present this world premiere.

By Melanie Tait

Directed by Janine Watson

With Matt Backer, Amber McMahon, Sharon Millerchip

In association with Sydney Festival

RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA: 10 MARCH – 29 APRIL

A social comedy by David Williamson with Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine reprising their roles from 2010. This play follows polar opposite musicians - Monica, a violinist forced to leave the Sydney Symphony, and Gary, or Rhinestone Rex, a Tamworth country singer-turned Tradie-turned DJ. Dubbed a romantic comedy for those who don’t like romantic comedies.

By David Williamson

Directed by Mark Kilmurry

With Glenn Hazeldine and Georgie Parker

CLYDE’S: 5 MAY – 10 JUNE

An Australian Premiere of the 2021 Tony Award nominated play by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. On a long stretch of highway, Clyde’s truck-stop diner sizzles with the aroma of possibility and redemption for its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff. A story of sandwiches and second chances.

By Lynn Nottage

Directed by Darren Yap

Cast including Emily Havea

SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER: 15 MAY – 10 JUNE

Tennessee Williams’ gothic masterpiece. Sebastian Venable died mysteriously last summer, with young cousin Catharine the only witness. She is desperate to reveal what really happened, but Sebastian’s mother Violet wants to stop the ugly truth from seeing the light of day.

By Tennessee Williams

Directed by Shaun Rennie

Cast including Justin Amankwah, Andrea Demetriades and Belinda Giblin

BENEFACTORS: 16 JUNE – 22 JULY

Writer Michael Frayn explores what it is to be human in a statistically driven world, in this comedy set in the 1970s. Performed by Megan Drury, Guy Edmonds, Matt Minto and Emma Palmer, the story follows prosperous couple David and Jane, and their struggling neighbours Colin and Sheila as they navigate the divisive tensions involved with the re-development of their inner-city housing project.

By Michael Frayn

Directed by Mark Kilmurry

With Megan Drury, Guy Edmonds, Matt Minto and Emma Palmer

MR BAILEY’S MINDER: 28 JULY – 2 SEPTEMBER

Self-loathing Leo now needs round-the-clock care after years of alcohol abuse. Enter Therese, fresh out of prison and down to her last option, who becomes Leo’s carer. Playwright Debra Oswald paints a portrait of what it takes to forgive and to let go, with cast including John Gaden and Claudia Ware.

By Debra Oswald

Directed by Damien Ryan

Cast including John Gaden, Claudia Ware

SUMMER OF HAROLD: 8 SEPTEMBER – 14 OCTOBER

Memories of 1984. London. Phil Collins on MTV. Cassette tapes. In this world premiere, Hilary Bell’s new play discovers our love for odd things. What is the magic that makes us possessive about objects? Three stories intertwine to take us on a  journey about our search for comfort and joy.

By Hilary Bell

Directed by Francesca Savige

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT LADY?: 18 SEPTEMBER – 14 OCTOBER

Written and performed by Debra Oswald, who teams up with director Lee Lewis for this deeply personal and exploration of the ups and downs of being a writer.

Written by & performed by Debra Oswald

Directed by Lee Lewis

THE MEMORY OF WATER: 20 OCTOBER – 25 NOVEMBER

Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Shelagh Stephenson’s comedy is about conflicting memories, life and loss. The story follows three sisters who share a common past. Midnight ice-cream sodas. Their Mum’s perfumed advice. A seaside childhood and the odd monosyllable from Dad. Where does reality end and family mythology begin? Why has sibling war broken out in their Mother’s bedroom? Why are past recollections still so with us?

By Shelagh Stephenson

Directed by Rachel Chant

Cast including Nicole Da Silva

MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL: 1 DECEMBER – 14 JANUARY 2024

Ensemble Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould co-wrote this brand new story rather relevant to recent years.. On the opening night of Midnight Murder at Hamilington Hall, seven of the amateur theatre company’s cast are down with the dreaded lurgy. But, thanks to the director, two remaining actors, and whoever else they can find, ‘the show must go on’. Will they manage to pull it off? Or will everything go horribly,

terribly and awfully wrong?

By Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould

Directed by Mark Kilmurry

Subscriptions for Ensemble’s 2023 season via http://www.ensemble.com.au/

SPECIAL EVENT

PHILIP QUAST: THE ROAD I TOOK: 19 – 29 MARCH

WITH PHILIP QUAST AND ANNE-MAREE MCDONALD

See musical theatre royalty Philip Quast, three-time winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, in the intimacy of the Ensemble Theatre.

A special opportunity to hear Philip’s marvelous voice again, with accompaniment from Anne-Maree McDonald, while being treated to behind-the-scenes stories, thoughts and events that helped shape the country boy turned international performer’s life.