Belvoir is an Australian

theatre company Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

based at the Belvoir St Theatre in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

, Australia, originally known as Company B. Its artistic director is

Eamon Flack Eamon Flack is an Australian theatre director. He is the Artistic Director of Belvoir, a theatre company in Sydney's Surry Hills. Flack, who grew up in Darwin, Northern Territory, was encouraged towards a career in theatre by actor Bille Brown ...

. The theatre comprises two performing spaces: the Upstairs Theatre and the smaller Downstairs Theatre.

History

Theatre

The theatre, converted from a former

tomato sauce Tomato sauce (; ; ) can refer to many different sauces made primarily from tomatoes. In some countries the term refers to a sauce to be served as part of a dish, in others it is a condiment. Tomatoes have a rich flavor, high water content, s ...

factory, opened in 1974 as the Nimrod Theatre for the Nimrod Theatre Company. The first production at the theatre was rock musical '' The Bacchoi''. It was renamed as "'Belvoir St" in 1984 by Sue Hill and Chris Westwood when the building was purchased by a syndicate of people (Belvoir Street Theatre Pty Ltd). Renovations costing around commenced in 2005 and were delayed in 2006 with the discovery of asbestos in the building's roof. The theatre reopened in October 2006 with the Sydney season of ''It Just Stopped'' by Stephen Sewell. The theatre contains a 330-seat auditorium called the Upstairs Theatre, and an 80-seat performing space called the Downstairs Theatre.

Formation of the company

Belvoir began, in 1984, when two syndicates were established: "Company A" with shares at $1000 each, which would own the building, and "Company B", with shares at $10 each. Company B aimed to stage theatre productions which were "contemporary, politically sharp, hard-edged Australian theatre; to develop new forms of theatrical expression; work by and about "

Aboriginal Australians Aboriginal Australians are the various indigenous peoples of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland and many of its islands, excluding the ethnically distinct people of the Torres Strait Islands. Humans first migrated to Australia (co ...

; work created by women; radical interpretations of the classics and work that is surprising, diverse and passionate.

Company

Belvoir was officially launched in February 1985. Later that year, ''Signal Driver'', written by

Patrick White Patrick Victor Martindale White (28 May 1912 – 30 September 1990) was an Australian novelist and playwright who explored themes of religious experience, personal identity and the conflict between visionary individuals and a materialistic, co ...

and directed by

Neil Armfield Neil Geoffrey Armfield (born 22 April 1955) is an Australian director of theatre, film and opera. Biography Born in Sydney, Armfield is the third and youngest son of Len, a factory worker at the nearby Arnott's Biscuits factory and Nita Armfi ...

, was 'the first play produced from the ground up by Belvoir'. In the lead roles were

Kerry Walker Kerry Ann Walker (born 29 February 1948) is an Australian actress. She has had a lengthy career on both stage and screen. She was nominated for the AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role three times, in 1985 for ''Bliss'', 1986 for '' ...

and John Gaden. The theatre poster was designed by

Martin Sharp Martin Ritchie Sharp (21 January 1942 – 1 December 2013) was an Australian artist, cartoonist, songwriter and film-maker. Career Sharp was born in Bellevue Hill, New South Wales in 1942, and educated at Cranbrook private school, where one ...

. Armfield later recalled that White, who had purchased ten shares in the theatre, was its 'greatest shareholder'. From its foundation, Belvoir also instituted a "parity pay policy" where all employees, from actors to stage hands, received the same hourly rate of pay. This policy, which continued from 1985 to the end of the 2011 season, prompted former Australian Prime Minister

Paul Keating Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944) is an Australian former politician and trade unionist who served as the 24th prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996. He held office as the leader of the Labor Party (ALP), having previously ser ...

to describe the Belvoir as "Australia's last commune". In 2005, Belvoir temporarily moved to the

Seymour Centre The Seymour Centre is a multi-purpose performing arts centre within the University of Sydney, located in the city of Sydney, Australia. It is located on the corner of City Road and Cleveland Street in Chippendale, south-west of the city ce ...

, Chippendale, while the theatre building underwent an $11.6 million renovation, and returned the following year. In January 2011, Ralph Myers took over from

artistic director An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company or dance company, who handles the organization's artistic direction. They are generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogu ...

, stating 'There's a wealth of

Australian playwriting Theatre of Australia refers to the history of the live performing arts in Australia: performed, written or produced by Australians. There are theatrical and dramatic aspects to Indigenous Australian ceremonies such as the Corroboree, which go ...

and 2500 years of great plays to draw on, I don't see a need to import new plays from overseas.' In July 2014, Myers announced that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the 2015 season. Myers said he had 'an "ideological" commitment to the regular turnover of artistic directorships'. Also in 2011, Belvoir appointed

Simon Stone Simon Stone (born 19 August 1984) is an Australian film and theatre director, writer and actor. Early life Stone is Australian, but was born in Basel, Switzerland and grew up in Cambridge and Melbourne. His father, Stuart Stone, was a biochemis ...

as the first director-in-residence. Stone's adaptation of

Henrik Ibsen Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright, poet and actor. Ibsen is considered the world's pre-eminent dramatist of the 19th century and is often referred to as "the father of modern drama." He pioneered ...

's ''

The Wild Duck ''The Wild Duck'' (original Norwegian title: ''Vildanden'') is an 1884 play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It explores the complexities of truth and illusion through the story of a family torn apart by secrets and the intrusion of a ...

'', with the Belvoir, went on to win both

Helpmann Sir Robert Murray Helpmann (né Helpman) (9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director, and choreographer. After early work in Australia he moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (no ...

and

Sydney Theatre Awards The Sydney Theatre Awards are annual awards to recognise the strength, quality and diversity of professional theatre in Sydney, Australia. They were established in 2005 by a group of major Sydney theatre critics. The awards recognise mainstage and ...

, in 2011, before being taken to Oslo for a three night performance as part of the 2012 International Ibsen Festival. Stone resigned from his position in 2013, and was replaced by dual directors-in-residence Adena Jacobs and Anne-Louise Sarks. In 2016 Myers was succeeded as artistic director by Eamon Flack. In February 2022 Carissa Licciardello and Hannah Goodwin were appointed directors-in-residence. In 2019 Belvoir collected an unprecedented thirteen

Helpmann Awards The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001. The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of musical theatre ...

, including Best Play, Best New Australian Work and Best Direction of a Play. In the same year actors in Belvoir productions collected Best Female Actor in a Play, Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play, Best Male Actor in a Play and Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play.

Past talent

Belvoir has featured many actors, writers and directors who went on to have illustrious careers, such as

Cate Blanchett Catherine Élise Blanchett ( ; born 14 May 1969) is an Australian actor and producer. Regarded as one of the best performers of her generation, she is recognised for Cate Blanchett on screen and stage, her versatile work across stage and scre ...

Leah Purcell Leah Maree Purcell (born 14 August 1970) is an Aboriginal Australian stage and film actress, playwright, film director, and novelist. She made her film debut in 1999, appearing in Paul Fenech's ''Somewhere in the Darkness'', which led to rol ...

Benedict Andrews Benedict Andrews (born 1972) is an Australian theatre and film director, based in Reykjavík. Born in Adelaide in 1972, he was educated at Flinders University Drama Centre. His first feature film '' Una'' (an adaptation of '' Blackbird'' by Da ...

Mitchell Butel Mitchell Patrick Butel (born 10 February 1970) is an Australian actor, singer, director and writer. He is best known for his work in theatre, including musical and opera productions. He was the artistic director of the State Theatre Company of ...

, Tommy Murphy,

Kate Mulvany Kate Maree Mulvany (born 1977) is an Australian actress, playwright and screenwriter. She works in theatre, television and film, with roles in ''Hunters'' (2020–2023), ''The Great Gatsby'' (2013), '' Griff the Invisible'' (2010) and '' The F ...

, Anne-Louise Sarks, Wesley Enoch, S. Shakthidharan, and former artistic director

Governance and funding

the

, while Aaron Beach is executive director. In 2014 there were currently 600 shareholders, including noted actors, directors, writers and performers

Robyn Archer Robyn Archer, AO, CdOAL (born 1948) is an Australian singer, writer, stage director, artistic director, and public advocate of the arts, in Australia and internationally. Biography Archer was born Robyn Smith in Prospect, South Australi ...

Gillian Armstrong Gillian May Armstrong (born 18 December 1950) is an Australian feature film and documentary film director, director, best known for ''My Brilliant Career (film), My Brilliant Career'' (1979), ''Mrs. Soffel'' (1984), ''High Tide (1987 film), Hi ...

, Peter Carey,

Judy Davis Judith Davis (born 23 April 1955) is an Australian actress. In a career spanning over four decades of both List of Judy Davis performances, screen and stage, she has been commended for her versatility and regarded as one of the finest actresses ...

Mel Gibson Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Mel Gibson, multiple accolades, he is known for directing historical films as well for his act ...

Max Gillies Maxwell Irvine Gillies AM (born 16 November 1941) is an Australian actor and a founding member of the 1970s experimental theatre company, the Australian Performing Group. Early life and education Gillies studied art teaching at Frankston Te ...

Nicole Kidman Nicole Mary Kidman (born 20 June 1967) is an Australian and American actress and producer. Known for Nicole Kidman on screen and stage, her work in film and television productions across many genres, she has consistently ranked among the world ...

, Juliet Jordan,

Sam Neill Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand actor. His career has included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Considered an "international leading man", he is regarded as one of the most versatile acto ...

David Williamson David Keith Williamson (born 1942) is an Australian playwright, who has also written screenplays and teleplays. He became known in the early 1970s with his political comic drama '' Don's Party'', and other well-known plays include '' The Clu ...

and

Colin Friels Colin Friels (born 25 September 1952) is an Australian actor of theatre, TV, film and presenter. Early life Friels was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland.Interview with Colin Friels, ''George Negus Tonight'' (ABC Television), 26 August 200 ...

. Previous shareholders have also included

Joan Sutherland Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, (7 November 1926 – 10 October 2010) was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano known for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s to the 1980s. She possessed a voice ...

Ruth Cracknell Ruth Winifred Cracknell AM (6 July 1925 – 13 May 2002) was an Australian character and comic actress, comedian and author. Her career encompassed all genres, including radio, theatre, television, and film. She appeared in many dramatic as wel ...

Gwen Plumb Gwendoline Jean Plumb Member of the Order of Australia, AM British Empire Medal, BEM (2 August 1912 – 5 June 2002), was an Australian performer of international appeal, actress and comedian active in literally every form of the art genre, (exc ...

, Dorothy Hewett,

Mike Willesee Michael Robert Willesee, (29 June 1942 – 1 March 2019) was an Australian television journalist, interviewer and presenter. Early life and family Willesee was the son of politician, Western Australian ALP senator and foreign minister Don W ...

and

. The Belvoir company receives government support for its activities from the

federal government A federation (also called a federal state) is an entity characterized by a political union, union of partially federated state, self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a #Federal governments, federal government (federalism) ...

through the Major Performing Arts Board of the

Australia Council for the Arts Creative Australia, formerly known as the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australia Council, is the country's official arts council, serving as an arts funding and advisory body for the Government of Australia. The council was announ ...

and the

state government A state government is the government that controls a subdivision of a country in a federal form of government, which shares political power with the federal or national government. A state government may have some level of political autonom ...

through

Create NSW Create NSW is a government agency of the Government of New South Wales, that falls within the Enterprise, Investment and Trade cluster. The agency was created on 1 April 2017 from an amalgamation of Arts NSW (ANSW) and Screen NSW. Create NSW i ...

Balnaves Fellowship

The

Balnaves Foundation Neil Richard Balnaves (5 May 1944 – 21 February 2022) was an Australian media executive and arts philanthropist. His production companies were responsible for bringing '' Big Brother'' and ''Bananas in Pyjamas'' to Australian television scree ...

is a private

philanthropic Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives for the public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private good, focusing on material ...

organisation founded by media executive Neil Balnaves in 2006. In 2011 the Balnaves Foundation established support for two Indigenous-led works per year at Belvoir. It also created the Balnaves Award, which evolved into the Balnaves Fellowship in 2021. The fellowship is awarded to a playwright or director or writer/director, who is given over 12 months to create a new work, spending two days a week over 10 months as a resident artist at Belvoir. Past recipients of the award or fellowship include: * 2023 – Guy Simon * 2022 – Dalara Williams * 2021 – Thomas Weatherall * 2020 – Jorjia Gillis * 2019 – Nathan Maynard * 2018 –

Kodie Bedford Kodie Bedford is an Aboriginal Australian screenwriter, filmmaker and playwright from Western Australia. She is known for her play ''Cursed!'', and work on several television series, in particular the 2021 comedy series '' All My Friends Are Rac ...

* 2017 – Megan Wilding * 2016 – Ursula Yovich * 2015 – Katie Beckett * 2014 –

* 2013 –

Jada Alberts Jada Alberts is an Aboriginal Australian actor, playwright, screenwriter, director, artist and poet. Early life and education Alberts is from the Top End of Australia, of Larrakia people, Larrakia, Yanyuwa people, Yanuwa, Bardi people, Bardi, a ...

* 2012 – Nakkiah Lui

Andrew Cameron Fellowship

In 2018 philanthropist Andrew Cameron established support for an up-and-coming artist to have a two-year residency at Belvoir. The fellowship is awarded to a designer, director or writer/director, who is employed by the company over two years as a resident artist at Belvoir. Past recipients of the award or fellowship include: * 2024 – Margaret Thanos * 2022-23 – Abbie-Lee Lewis * 2020-2021 – Hannah Goodwin * 2018-2020 – Carissa Licciardello

Belvoir education program

The Belvoir's education program for students and teachers includes practical theatre workshops at the theatre or participating school, tours of backstage and behind the scenes areas of the theatre, technical tours led by a professional theatre technician and a Theatre Enrichment Program for "senior English and Drama students in Western Sydney and regional NSW". In addition, Belvoir's Outreach Program partners with local youth support organisations such as Youth Off The Streets, The John Berne School, Twenty10 and Regenesis Youth. Through the Priority Funded Schools Program Belvoir also allows selected students to attend some performances free of charge. Limited student work experience and work placement opportunities are also available.

Seasons

2025

*''Jacky'' by Declan Furber Gillick, directed by Mark Wilson *''Big Girls Don't Cry'' by Dalara Williams, directed by Ian Michael *''The True History of the Life and Death of King Lear and his Three Daughters'' by Shakespeare, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Spare Room'' after the book by

Helen Garner Helen Garner (née Ford, born 7 November 1942) is an Australian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist. Garner's debut novel, first novel, ''Monkey Grip (novel), Monkey Grip'', published in 1977, immediately established her ...

, directed by Eamon Flack *''Song of First Desire'' by

Andrew Bovell Andrew Bovell (born 1962) is an Australian writer for theatre, film and television. Life Bovell was born on 23 November 1962 in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and completed his secondary school education in Perth. He graduated from the Universi ...

, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Wrong Gods'' by S. Shakthidharan, directed by S. Shakthidharan and Hannah Goodwin *''Grief is the Thing with Feathers'' after the book by Max Porter, directed by Simon Phillips *''Orlando'' after the book by

Virginia Woolf Adeline Virginia Woolf (; ; 25 January 1882 28 March 1941) was an English writer and one of the most influential 20th-century modernist authors. She helped to pioneer the use of stream of consciousness narration as a literary device. Vir ...

, directed by Carissa Licciardello *''The Red Shoes'' by Meow Meow, directed by Kate Champion

2024

*''Tiddas'' by

Anita Heiss Anita Marianne Heiss (born 1968) is an Aboriginal Australian author, poet, cultural activist and social commentator. She is an advocate for Indigenous Australian literature and literacy, through her writing for adults and children and her memb ...

, directed by Nadine McDonald-Dows & Roxanne McDonald *''August: Osage County'' by Tracy Letts, directed by Eamon Flack *''Tiny Beautiful Things'' adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's book by Nia Vardalos, directed by Lee Lewis *''Well Behaved Women'' music and lyrics by Carmel Dean, directed by Blazey Best *''Holding The Man'' adaptation of Timothy Conigrave's memoir by Tommy Murphy, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'' adaptation of Mark Haddon's novel by Simon Stephens, directed by Hannah Goodwin *''Lose to Win'' by Mandela Mathia, directed by Jess Arthur *''Nayika - a Dancing Girl'' co-created and co-directed by Nithya Nagarajan and Liv Satchell *'' Counting & Cracking'' by S. Shakthidharan, directed by Eamon Flack *''Never Closer'' by Grace Chapple, directed by Hannah Goodwin

2023

*''Blue'' by Thomas Weatherall, directed by Deborah Brown *''Blessed Union'' by Maeve Marsden, directed by Hannah Goodwin *''Into The Woods'', music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, directed by Eamon Flack *''At What Cost?'' by Nathan Maynard, directed by Isaac Drandic *''Scenes From the Climate Era'' by David Finnigan, directed by Carissa Licciardello *''Miss Peony'' by Michelle Law, directed by Courtney Stewart *''The Weekend'' by Sue Smith, based on the book by

Charlotte Wood Charlotte Wood (born 1965) is an Australian novelist. ''The Australian'' newspaper described Wood as "one of our ustralia'smost original and provocative writers". Early life and education Wood was born in Cooma, New South Wales. She has a Ph ...

, directed by Sarah Goodes *''Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill'' by Lanie Robertson, directed by

*''Robyn Archer: an Australian Songbook'' devised and performed by Robyn Archer *''The Master and Margarita'' adapted from the Bulgakov by Eamon Flack, directed by Eamon Flack

2022

*''Black Brass'' by Mararo Wangai, directed by Matt Edgerton *''At What Cost?'' by Nathan Maynard, directed by Isaac Drandic, starring

Luke Carroll Luke Carroll is an Australian stage, television, and film actor. He is known for his role in the television drama '' The Alice'' (2005), and as a host of the children's program '' Play School''. Early life and education Luke Carroll was born in ...

*''Opening Night'' based on the screenplay by

John Cassavetes John Nicholas Cassavetes (December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American filmmaker and actor. He began as an actor in film and television before helping to pioneer modern American independent cinema as a writer and director, often self- ...

, adapted & directed by Carissa Licciardello *''Wayside Bride'' by

Alana Valentine Alana Valentine is an Australian playwright, dramatist, librettist, and director working in theatre, film, opera, and television. Early life and education Alana Valentine graduated with a Bachelor of Communications from University of Technology ...

, directed by Hannah Goodwin & Eamon Flack *''Light Shining in Buckinghamshire'' by

Caryl Churchill Caryl Lesley Churchill (born 3 September 1938) is a British playwright known for dramatising the abuses of power, for her use of non- naturalistic techniques, and for her exploration of sexual politics and feminist themes.

, directed by Eamon Flack & Hannah Goodwin *''Tell Me I'm Here'' b
Veronica Nadine Gleeson
based on the book by Anne Deveson, directed by Leticia Cáceres *''Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes'' by

Hannah Moscovitch Hannah Moscovitch (born June 5, 1978) is a Canadian playwright who rose to national prominence in the 2000s. She is best known for her plays ''East of Berlin'', ''This Is War'', "Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story", and ''Sexual Misconduct of the Mid ...

, directed by Petra Kalive *''The Jungle and The Sea'' written and directed by S. Shakthidharan and

*'' Looking For Alibrandi'' by Vidya Rajan, based on the book by

Melina Marchetta Carmelina Marchetta (born 25 March 1965) is an Australian writer and teacher. Marchetta is best known as the author of teen novels, '' Looking for Alibrandi'', '' Saving Francesca'' and '' On the Jellicoe Road''. She has twice been awarded the ...

, directed by Stephen Nicolazzo

2021

*'' Fangirls'' by

Yve Blake Yve Blake is an Australian screenwriter, songwriter, and playwright. She wrote the musical ''Fangirls''. Career Yve Blake was born in Sydney, Australia, and as a teenager took drama classes at Australian Theatre for Young People. After moving ...

, directed by Paige Rattray *''Stop Girl'' by

Sally Sara Sally Jane Sara (born ) is an Australian journalist, TV presenter, author, and playwright. She has worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for many years, including stints as foreign correspondent in Africa, South Asia, and Afghani ...

, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''

A Room of One's Own ''A Room of One's Own'' is an extended essay, divided into six chapters, by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1929. The work is based on two lectures Woolf delivered in October 1928 at Newnham College, Cambridge, Newnham College and Girton Co ...

'' by

, adapted & directed by Carissa Licciardello *''The Cherry Orchard'' by

Anton Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his b ...

, directed by Eamon Flack *''Miss Peony'' by Michelle Law, directed by Courtney Stewart *''At What Cost?'' by Nathan Maynard, directed by Isaac Drandic *''The Boomkak Panto'' by Virginia Gay, directed by Richard Carroll *''Light Shining in Buckinghamshire'' by Caryl Churchill, directed by Eamon Flack *''Wayside Bride'' by

, directed by Hannah Goodwin (''Miss Peony'' was rehearsed and produced but the season was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. ''At What Cost?'', ''Light Shining in Buckinghamshire'' and ''Wayside Bride'' were likewise rehearsed but were postponed to the 2022 season.)

2020

*''Every Brilliant Thing'' by Duncan Macmillan and

Jonny Donahoe Jonny Donahoe (born 15 June 1983) is a British comedian, writer and performer. He is one half of the comedy band Jonny and the Baptists, with Paddy Gervers. Education Donahoe was educated at Abingdon School from 1996 to 2001. Career Donaho ...

, directed by Kate Champion *''Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam'' adapted from the

Peter Goldsworthy Peter David Goldsworthy (born 1951) is an Australian writer and medical practitioner. He has won major awards for his short stories, poetry, novels, and opera Libretto, libretti. He is known for his novels ''Honk If You Are Jesus'', and ''Thr ...

novella by Steve Rodgers, directed by Darren Yap *''Dance Nation'' by

Clare Barron Clare Barron is a playwright and actor from Wenatchee, Washington. She won the 2015 Obie Award, Obie Award for Playwriting for ''You Got Older''. She was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for ''Dance Nation.'' Early life In an ...

, directed by Imara Savage *''

'' by

, adapted & directed by Carissa Licciardello *''Escaped Alone'' by

, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''The Jungle and The Sea'' by S. Shakthidharan, directed by Eamon Flack *''Miss Peony'' by Michelle Law, directed by Sarah Giles *''My Brilliant Career'' adapted from the

Miles Franklin Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin (14 October 187919 September 1954), known as Miles Franklin, was an Australian writer and feminist who is best known for her novel ''My Brilliant Career'', published by Blackwoods of Edinburgh in 1901. While s ...

novel by Kendall Feaver, directed by Kate Champion *''Cursed!'' by

, directed by Jason Klarwein *''

Summerfolk ''Summerfolk'' () is a play by Maxim Gorky written in 1904 and first published in 1905 by Znaniye (''1904 Znaniye Anthology'', book Three), in Saint Petersburg.

'' by

Maxim Gorky Alexei Maximovich Peshkov (; – 18 June 1936), popularly known as Maxim Gorky (; ), was a Russian and Soviet writer and proponent of socialism. He was nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Before his success as an aut ...

, adapted & directed by Eamon Flack (Note that the outbreak of

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

saw the theatre go dark after two performances of ''Dance Nation''. The season resumed on 16 September with ''A Room of One's Own'', followed by ''Cursed!'' and ''My Brilliant Career'', which played into 2021. The productions of ''Escaped Alone'' and ''Summerfolk'' were cancelled.)

2019

*'' Counting & Cracking'' by S. Shakthidharan, directed by Eamon Flack *'' The Wolves'' by Sarah DeLappe, directed by Jessica Arthur *''Every Brilliant Thing'' by Duncan Macmillan and

, directed by Kate Champion *'' Barbara & The Camp Dogs'' by Ursula Yovich &

, directed by Leticia Cáceres *''Winyanboga Yurringa'' by Andrea James, directed by Anthea Williams *'' Things I Know To Be True'' by

, directed by

*''

Life of Galileo ''Life of Galileo'' (), also known as ''Galileo'', is a Play (theatre), play by the 20th century Germany, German dramatist Bertolt Brecht and collaborator Margarete Steffin with incidental music by Hanns Eisler. The play was written in 1938 and re ...

'' by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Tom Wright, directed by Eamon Flack *'' Fangirls'' by Yve Blake, directed by Paige Rattray *''Packer & Sons'' by Tommy Murphy, directed by Eamon Flack

2018

*''My Name Is Jimi'', by

Jimi Bani Jimi Bani is an Indigenous Australian actor, known for his portrayal of land rights activist Eddie Mabo in the 2012 tele-movie '' Mabo'', several television series, and theatre performances. Early life and education A Torres Strait Islander ...

, directed by Jimi Bani and Jason Klarwein *''My Urrwai'', by Ghenoa Gela, directed by

Rachael Maza Rachael Zoa Maza , also credited as Rachael Maza Long, is an Indigenous Australian television and film actress, and stage director. She is known for her role in the 1998 film ''Radiance'', and worked with Company B and Wesley Enoch in Sydney fo ...

*''Mother'', by

Daniel Keene Daniel Keene (born 1955) is an Australian playwright whose work has been performed throughout the world. Career Keene's plays have been performed in Australia, France, Poland and the United States. Many of his plays have been published in Fr ...

, directed by

Matt Scholten Matt Scholten is an Australian theatre and film director, producer, writer and teacher. He is the Artistic Director & Creative Producer of independent theatre company If Theatre which was established in 2006. Career Scholten studied Drama and ...

*''Single Asian Female'', by Michelle Law, directed by Claire Christian *''Sami in Paradise'', written and directed by

*''The Sugar House'', by

, directed by Sarah Goodes *''Bliss'', adapted from the Peter Carey novel by Tom Wright, directed by Matthew Lutton *''

A Taste of Honey ''A Taste of Honey'' is the first play by the British dramatist Shelagh Delaney, written when she was 19. It was adapted into an award-winning film of the same title in 1961. Set in Salford in North West England, it tells the story of Jo, ...

'', by

Shelagh Delaney Shelagh Delaney FRSL (; 25 November 1938 – 20 November 2011) was an English dramatist and screenwriter. Her debut work, '' A Taste of Honey'' (1958), has been described by Michael Patterson as "probably the most performed play by a post-war B ...

, directed by Eamon Flack *''Random'', by debbie tucker green, directed by Leticia Cáceres *''

Calamity Jane Martha Jane Canary (May 1, 1856 – August 1, 1903), better known as Calamity Jane, was an American American frontier, frontierswoman, Exhibition shooting, sharpshooter, sex worker, and storyteller. In addition to many exploits, she was known f ...

'', adapted from the Charles K. Freeman stage-play by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park, directed by Richard Carroll *''

An Enemy of the People ''An Enemy of the People'' (original Norwegian title: ''En folkefiende'') is an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen that explores the conflict between personal integrity and societal norms. The play centers on Dr. Thomas Stockmann, w ...

'', adapted from the Ibsen play by Melissa Reeves, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *'' The Dance of Death'', by

August Strindberg Johan August Strindberg (; ; 22 January 184914 May 1912) was a Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, and painter.Lane (1998), 1040. A prolific writer who often drew directly on his personal experience, Strindberg wrote more than 60 pla ...

, directed by

2017

*'' Prize Fighter'', by

Future D. Fidel Future D. Fidel is a Congolese-Australian playwright. Future Destin Fidel was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and became an orphan at the age of 13. Living with his sister at Uvira on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, he fled across the ...

, directed by

Todd MacDonald Todd MacDonald (born 1973) is a Canadian Australian actor who is best known for his roles on the soap opera ''Neighbours'' and the drama series ''The Secret Life of Us'' and '' Rush''. Early life MacDonald and his older brother Paul were born ...

*''Which Way Home'', by Katie Beckett, directed by

*''Boundless Plains To Share'', performed by

Tom Ballard Thomas Ballard (1630–1689) was a colonial Virginia landowner and politician. Thomas or Tom Ballard may also refer to: * Thomas Ballard Jr. (1654–1710), member of the Virginia House of Burgesses * Thomas Ballard (MP for Coventry), member of P ...

*''Jasper Jones'', revival of the 2016 production *'' Mark Colvin's Kidney'', by Tommy Murphy, directed by

David Berthold David Berthold is an Australian theatre and festival director, who has also been artistic director of several major Australian arts organisations. Early life and education David Berthold was born in Maitland, New South Wales. He spent some ye ...

*''The Dog/The Cat'', by

Lally Katz Lally Katz (born ) is an American and Australian dramatist writing for theater, film, and television. She now resides in Los Angeles. Early life Katz was born in New Jersey, United States. She moved with her family to Miami, and then to Canberr ...

and

Brendan Cowell Brendan Cowell is an Australian actor and writer. He is known for his lead role in 2024 television series ''Plum'' that he created, based on his 2021 novel of the same name. Early life and education Brendan Cowell was born in Sydney and grew u ...

, directed by

Ralph Myers Ralph Myers is an Australian theatre designer and director, and the former artistic director of Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir. In 2005 and 2006 Myers was the resident designer at the Sydney Theatre Company; he was later an associate arti ...

and Anthea Williams *''Guru of Chai'', by

Jacob Rajan Jacob Rajan is a New Zealand playwright and actor. His highly successful plays include the trilogy ''Krishnan's Dairy'', ''The Candlestick Maker'' and ''The Pickle King''. Another work was ''The Dentist's Chair''. In 2002, he received the pres ...

and Justin Lewis, directed by Justin Lewis * ''Mr Burns'', by

Anne Washburn Anne Washburn is an American playwright. Life Washburn graduated from Reed College and from New York University, with an M.F.A. Her plays have been produced in New York City by Cherry Lane Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, The Civilians, Vineyard Theat ...

, directed by Imara Savage *'' The Rover'', by

Aphra Behn Aphra Behn (; baptism, bapt. 14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration (England), Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writ ...

, directed by Eamon Flack *''Hir'', by

Taylor Mac Taylor Mac Bowyer (born August 24, 1973) is an American actor, playwright, performance artist, director, producer, and singer-songwriter active mainly in New York City. In 2017, Mac was the recipient of a "Genius Grant" from the John D. and Cath ...

, directed by Anthea Williams *''

Ghosts In folklore, a ghost is the soul or Spirit (supernatural entity), spirit of a dead Human, person or non-human animal that is believed by some people to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely, from a ...

'', by

, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Bookbinder'', by Ralph McCubbin Howell, directed by Hannah Smith *''Atlantis'', by

, directed by Rosemary Myers *'' Barbara & The Camp Dogs'', by

and Ursula Yovich, directed by Leticia Cáceres

2016

*''Jasper Jones'', adapted from the Craig Silvey novel by

, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *'' The Blind Giant Is Dancing'', by Stephen Sewell, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Great Fire'', by Kit Brookman, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Events'', by David Greig, directed by Clare Watson *''The Tribe'', by Michael Mohammed Ahmad and Janice Muller *''Back at the Dojo'', by

, directed by Chris Kohn *'' The Drover's Wife'', by

, directed by Leticia Cáceres *''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola an ...

'', directed by Eamon Flack *''Title And Deed'', by

Will Eno Will Eno (born 1965) is an American playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. His play, '' Thom Pain (based on nothing)'' was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2005. His play '' The Realistic Joneses'' appeared on Broadway in 2014, whe ...

, directed by Jada Alberts *''Ruby's Wish'', by Holly Austin, Adriano Cappelletta and Jo Turner *''

Faith Healer Faith healing is the practice of prayer and gestures (such as laying on of hands) that are believed by some to elicit divine intervention in spiritual and physical healing, especially the Christian practice. Believers assert that the healing ...

'', by

Brian Friel Brian Patrick Friel (c. 9 January 1929 – 2 October 2015) was an Irish dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company. He had been considered one of the greatest living English-language dramatists. (subscription requ ...

, directed by

*''Girl Asleep'', by Matthew Whittet, directed by Rosemary Myers

2015

*''

Radiance In radiometry, radiance is the radiant flux emitted, reflected, transmitted or received by a given surface, per unit solid angle per unit projected area. Radiance is used to characterize diffuse emission and reflection of electromagnetic radiati ...

'', by

Louis Nowra Mark Doyle, better known by his stage name Louis Nowra, (born 12 December 1950) is an Australian writer, playwright, screenwriter and librettist. He is best known as one of Australia's leading playwrights. His works have been performed by all o ...

, directed by Leah Purcell *''Kill the Messenger'', by Nakkiah Lui, directed by Anthea Williams *''Blue Wizard'', by Nick Coyle *''Elektra / Orestes'', by Jada Alberts and Anne-Louise Sarks, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''The Wizard of Oz'', adapted by Adena Jacobs *''Samson'', by Julia-Rose Lewis, directed by Kristine Landon-Smith *''

Mother Courage and Her Children ''Mother Courage and Her Children'' () is a play written in 1939 by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956), with significant contributions from Margarete Steffin. Four theatrical productions were produced in Switzerland and ...

'', translated by Michael Gow, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Dog / The Cat'', by

and

, directed by Ralph Myers *''Seventeen'', by Matthew Whittet, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''La Traviata'', by Ash Flanders and Declan Greene, directed by Declan Greene *''Ivanov'', written and directed by Eamon Flack (after

Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his b ...

) *''Mortido'', by Angela Betzien, directed by Leticia Caceres

2014

*''Oedipus Schmoedipus'', created by Zoe Coombs-Marr, Mish Grigor and Natalie Rose *''

Once in Royal David's City Once in Royal David's City is a Christmas carol originally written as a poem by Cecil Frances Alexander. The carol was first published in 1848 in her hymnbook ''Hymns for Little Children''. A year later, the English organist Henry Gauntlett d ...

'', by Michael Gow, directed by Eamon Flack *''The Government Inspector'', directed by

starring

. *''20 Questions'', with Wesley Enoch *''Cain And Abel'', created by Kate Davis and Emma Valente, directed by Emma Valente *''Brothers Wreck'', by Jada Alberts, directed by Leah Purcell *''Hedda Gabler'', directed by Adena Jacobs *''Nora'', by Kit Brookman and Anne-Louise Sarks, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''Oedipus Rex'', directed by Adena Jacobs *''

The Glass Menagerie ''The Glass Menagerie'' is a memory play by Tennessee Williams that premiered in 1944 and catapulted Williams from obscurity to fame. The play has strong autobiographical elements, featuring characters based on its author, his histrionic mo ...

'', directed by Eamon Flack *''Is This Thing On?'', by Zoe Coombs-Marr, directed by Kit Brookman and Zoe Coombs-Marr *''A Christmas Carol'', adapted by Benedict Hardie and Anne-Louise Sarks, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''Cinderella'', by Matthew Whittet, directed by Anthea Williams

2013

*''Peter Pan'', adapted by Tommy Murphy, directed by Ralph Myers *''This Heaven'', by Nakkiah Lui, directed by

Lee Lewis Lee Lewis (born 1970) is an Australian theatre director. Early life and education Lewis was born in 1977 in Chicago, Illinois. Her family emigrated to Australia when she was a child. Lewis trained as an actor at Columbia University in New Y ...

*''

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'' is a 1955 American three-act play by Tennessee Williams. The play, an adaptation of his 1952 short story "Three Players of a Summer Game", was written between 1953 and 1955. One of Williams's more famous works and his ...

'', directed by

*''Stories I Want to Tell You in Person'', written and performed by

, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks *''Forget Me Not'', by

Tom Holloway Tom Holloway is an Australian playwright, based in Melbourne . Holloway's plays have been performed across Australia and internationally, including ''Beyond the Neck'' at Belvoir St Theatre (2007), ''Red Sky Morning'' at Red Stitch Actors Theatr ...

, directed by Anthea Williams *'' Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches'' *''Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika'', directed by Eamon Flack *''Persona'', adapted and directed by Adena Jacobs *''The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe'', written and directed by Ros Horin *''Miss Julie'', adapted by Simon Stone, directed by Leticia Caceres *''Small and Tired'', written and directed by Kit Brookman *''Hamlet'', directed by Simon Stone *''

The Cake Man ''The Cake Man'' is a 1975 play by Aboriginal Australian writer Bob Merritt, notable for being the first play written by an Indigenous Australian person to be published, televised and to tour out of Australia. A telemovie was made of a 1977 p ...

'', by Robert J. Merritt, directed by Kyle J. Morrison *''Coranderrk'', by Andrea James and Giordano Nanni, directed by Isaac Drandic

2012

* ''Buried City'', by Raimondo Cortese, conceived and directed by Alicia Talbot * ''I'm Your Man'', creator and director Roslyn Oades * ''Thyestes'', co-written by Thomas Henning, Chris Ryan,

and Mark Winter after Seneca, directed by Simon Stone * '' Babyteeth'', by Rita Kalnejais, director Eamon Flack * ''Every Breath'', written and directed by

* ''Food'', by Steve Rodgers, directed by Kate Champion and Steve Rodgers * ''Strange Interlude'', by Simon Stone after

Eugene O'Neill Eugene Gladstone O'Neill (October 16, 1888 – November 27, 1953) was an American playwright. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into the U.S. the drama techniques of Realism (theatre), realism, earlier associated with ...

, directed by Simon Stone * ''Old Man'', by Matthew Whittet, directed by Anthea Williams * ''

Death of a Salesman ''Death of a Salesman'' is a 1949 stage play written by the American playwright Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. It is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn told through a ...

'', by Arthur Miller, directed by Simon Stone * ''Conversation Piece'', choreographer and director

Lucy Guerin Lucy Mary Guerin (born 1961) is an Australian dancer and choreographer. Her work is described as post-modern. Life and career Lucy Guerin was born in Adelaide, Australia, and began her dance education at local dance schools. She graduated from ...

* ''

Private Lives ''Private Lives'' is a 1930 comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetuall ...

'', by Noël Coward, directed by Ralph Myers starring

Toby Schmitz Toby Schmitz (born 4 May 1977) is an Australian actor and playwright. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, attended Perth's Scotch College and briefly studied law at the University of Western Australia. He graduated from the acting course ...

. * ''Medea'', by Kate Mulvany and Anne-Louise Sarks after Euripides, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks * ''Beautiful One Day'', created by Paul Dwyer, Eamon Flack,

and David Williams * ''Don't Take Your Love To Town'', created by Eamon Flack and Leah Purcell, based on the book ''Don't Take Your Love to Town'' by Ruby Langford Ginibi, directed by Leah Purcell

2011

* ''The Wild Duck'', written and directed by

, after

* ''Jack Charles v the Crown'', by

Jack Charles Jack Charles (5 September 1943 – 13 September 2022), also known as Uncle Jack Charles, was an Australian stage and screen actor and activist, known for his advocacy for Aboriginal people. He was involved in establishing the first Indigenous t ...

and

John Romeril John Henry Romeril (born 1945) is an Australian playwright and teacher. He has written around 60 plays for theatre, film, radio, and television, and is known for his 1975 play ''The Floating World''. Early life and education John Henry Romeril ...

, directed by Rachael Maza Long * ''Cut'', by Duncan Graham, directed by Sarah John * ''The Business'', based on '' Vassa Zheleznova'' by

, adapted by Jonathan Gavin with Cristabel Sved, directed by Cristabel Sved * ''The Kiss'', by

, Kate Chopin,

and

Guy de Maupassant Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (, ; ; 5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a 19th-century French author, celebrated as a master of the short story, as well as a representative of the naturalist school, depicting human lives, destinies and s ...

, directed by Susanna Dowling * ''

The Seagull ''The Seagull'' () is a play by Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov, written in 1895 in literature, 1895 and first produced in 1896 in literature#Drama, 1896. ''The Seagull'' is generally considered to be the first of his four major plays. It dramati ...

'', by Anton Chekhov, directed by

* ''Neighbourhood Watch'', by

, directed by Simon Stone * ''Windmill Baby'', by David Milroy, directed by Kylie Farmer * ''Human Interest Story'', choreographed by

* ''And They Called Him Mr Glamour'', by Gareth Davies, directed by Tom Wright * ''

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll ''Summer of the Seventeenth Doll'' is an Australian play written by Ray Lawler and first performed at the Union Theatre in Melbourne on 28 November 1955. The play is considered to be the most significant in Australian theatre history, and a " ...

'', by

Ray Lawler Raymond Evenor Lawler (23 May 1921 – 24 July 2024) was an Australian playwright and dramatist, actor, theatre producer and director. Lawler's most notable play was his tenth, '' Summer of the Seventeenth Doll'' (1953), which had its premie ...

, directed by Neil Armfield * ''The Dark Room'', by Angela Betzien, directed by Leticia Cáceres * ''

As You Like It ''As You Like It'' is a pastoral Shakespearean comedy, comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wil ...

'', by William Shakespeare, directed by Eamon Flack

2010

* '' That Face'', by

Polly Stenham Polly Stenham (born 16 July 1986) is an English playwright known for her play '' That Face'', which she wrote when she was 19 years old. Background Stenham was born and raised in London. She attributes her love of theatre to her father as he t ...

, directed by Lee Lewis * ''Love Me Tender'', by

, directed by Matthew Lutton * ''The Power of Yes'', by David Hare, directed by Sam Strong * ''

Measure for Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604. It was published in the First Folio of 1623. The play centers on the despotic and puritan Angelo (Measure for ...

'', by

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

, directed by

* ''Gwen in Purgatory'', by Tommy Murphy, directed by

* '' Namatjira'', by Scott Rankin, directed by Scott Rankin and Wayne Blair * '' The Diary of a Madman'', by

Nikolai Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol; ; (; () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright of Ukrainian origin. Gogol used the Grotesque#In literature, grotesque in his writings, for example, in his works "The Nose (Gogol short story), ...

(adapted by David Holman with Neil Armfield and

Geoffrey Rush Geoffrey Roy Rush (born 6 July 1951) is an Australian actor. Known for often playing eccentric roles on both stage and screen, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Geoffrey Rush, numerous accolades, including an Academy Aw ...

, directed by Armfield) * ''The End'' by Samuel Beckett, directed by Eamon Flack * ''The Bougainville Photoplay Project'' by Paul Dwyer, directed by David Williams

Footnotes

References

External links

* {{authority control Theatre companies in Australia Performing groups established in 1984 Theatre in Sydney Theatre company production histories

History

Theatre

Formation of the company

Company

Past talent

Governance and funding

Balnaves Fellowship

Andrew Cameron Fellowship

Belvoir education program

Seasons

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

See also

Footnotes

References

External links