Steve Francis News

Writer and Composer, Hugo Chiarella and Naomi Livingston have confirmed that they will be releasing a live recording of their musical Evie May on iTunes on the 2nd of April, 2019.

Award winning playwright Nakkiah Lui returns to STC with How to Rule the World - a brand new political satire, opening at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House in February. Following the smash hit success of Lui's Black is the New White and Blackie Blackie Brown, How to Rule the World is a fast-paced comedy that tackles the Australian myths of multiculturalism and a 'fair go'. STC Associate Director Paige Rattray has assembled a stellar cast which includes Nakkiah Lui, Michelle Lim Davidson, Anthony Taufa, Rhys Muldoon, Vanessa Downing, Gareth Davies and Hamish Michael for this hilarious tale of sex, lies and the balance of power.

Written by David Williamson, Nearer the Gods not merely about the greatest leap forward in human knowledge; Newton's discovery of the laws that govern the motion of the universe, and how Edmund Halley, an enthusiastic young astronomer, wrangled his discovery out of him, but about human behaviour and the politics of our mind. It is a story that explores the themes of rivalry, rationality, decency, love, kindness and most importantly the politics surrounding the power of knowledge, all in just two hours and ten minutes.

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The Long Forgotten Dream, by Ngarrindjeri writer H Lawrence Sumner, makes its world premiere at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, this July. Lauded film and theatre director Neil Armfield (Holding the Man, STC's The Secret River) leads a star-studded cast and creative team to bring to life this beautiful piece of writing by one of the most exciting new Australian voices to come along in years.

Alana Valentine's new play THE SUGAR HOUSE delves into Sydney's forgotten past with a powerful story of the pain and perseverance of three generations whose history is grounded in Pyrmont's history.

Following an incredible sold-out season at the State Library of NSW in 2015, Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) will present A Town Named Warboy by award-winning playwright Ross Mueller at Riverside Theatres from 12th to 13th June.

Still Point Turning: The Catherine McGregor Story opens at Wharf 1 Theatre this April. Directed by Priscilla Jackman in her Sydney Theatre Company debut, Heather Mitchell will play Catherine in this vivid theatrical portrayal of one of Australia's most intriguing public figures, with a cast which also includes Nicholas Brown as Rahul Dravid, Andrew Guy as Young Malcolm, Chantelle Jamieson as Dr Amar, Ashley Lyons as Malcolm and Georgina Symes as Ayla Holdom.  

Following a successful run in Melbourne, Lucy Kirkwood's The Children will arrive in Sydney next month. The superb cast of three of Australia's finest actors -Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Sarah Peirse (Switzerland) and William Zappa (Rock 'n' Roll) shine in Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company's co-production, which will open at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House on April 3.

This is a truly memorable production from Bangarra Dance.

Three of Australia's finest actors, Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Sarah Peirse (Switzerland) and William Zappa (Rock 'n' Roll), star in Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company's Australian premiere co-production of The Children an incisive drama about the responsibility each generation faces in leaving a better world for those that follow.

Bangarra is thrilled to announce details of its 2018 season today.

Bangarra Dance Theatre returns to Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 25 August to 2 September with its latest work Bennelong, a poignant tribute to one of the most mythologised and celebrated individuals from the days of First Contact.

There is not a weak link anywhere in this production.

The relationships that bind modern journalism, the justice system and the political establishment come under acerbic scrutiny in Talk, written and directed by Jonathan Biggins. Sydney Theatre Company's latest new play, exploring how the 24 hour news cycle is spurred on by the influence of social media, is at Sydney Opera House from 23 April to 20 May 2017, followed by seasons in Belrose and Canberra.

The first show for Griffin Theatre Company's 2017 season, this Australian work will resonate loudly with all audiences as it looks at the corporate side of the accountability imposed on small to medium Not-for-Profit Arts companies and questions the freedom the industry has to nurture new talent and the propensity for workplace bullying in the corporate landscape.

Joanna Murray-Smith's acclaimed two-hander, Switzerland, comes to MTC with the stunning original cast of Sarah Peirse and Eamon Farren. Under the direction of newly appointed MTC Associate Director Sarah Goodes, this Sydney Theatre Company production opens at Southbank Theatre, the Sumner on Wednesday 21 September.

The Hanging by STC's 2014 Patrick White Fellow, Angela Betzien, receives its world premiere at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) from 28 July to 10 September 2016. STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes and Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby are at the helm following their recent success with STC's Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar. The Hanging features Ashleigh Cummings of Network Ten's Puberty Blues alongside one of Australia's most versatile actors, Genevieve Lemon. Returning to STC following his highly regarded performance in last year's Battle of Waterloo by Kylie Coolwell, Luke Carroll completes the cast.

Sport For Jove is proud to be staging one of Australia's defining works of art on the big stages of the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta and York Theatre in the Seymour Centre. Michael Gow's Away is an extraordinary and moving story of family, community, awakening and forgiveness.

In 2016, Bangarra brings their remarkable triple bill, OUR land people stories to the Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 12 to 20 August 2016.