SEASON 2018 2 A message from Kip Williams 5 The top benefits of a Season Ticket 10 Insight Events 13 Get the most out of your Season Ticket THE PLAYS 16 Top Girls 18 Lethal Indifference 20 Black is the New White 22 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui 24 Going Down 26 The Children 28 Still Point Turning: The Catherine McGregor Story 30 Blackie Blackie Brown 32 Saint Joan 34 The Long Forgotten Dream 36 The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two 40 Accidental Death of an Anarchist 42 A Cheery Soul SPECIAL OFFERS 46 Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark 48 The Wharf Revue 2018 HOW TO BOOK AND USEFUL INFO 52 Let us help you choose 55 How to book your Season Ticket 56 Ticket prices 58 Venues and access 59 Dates for your diary 60 Walsh Bay Kitchen 61 The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf 62 The Wharf Renewal Project 63 Support us 64 Thank you 66 Our community 67 Partners 68 Contact details 1 A MESSAGE FROM KIP WILLIAMS STC is a company that means a lot to me. And, finally, I’ve thought about what theatre means to me, and how best I can share with It’s the company where, as a young teen, I was you the great passion and love I have for this inspired by my first experience of professional art form. It’s at the theatre where I’ve had some theatre. It’s the company that gave me my very of the most transformative experiences of my first job out of drama school. And, now, it’s the life. It’s at the theatre where I have been able company I have the great honour of leading. to change the way I see myself, the way I see others, and the way I see my country, both Whilst programming my first season as past and present. And it is at the theatre where Artistic Director, I’ve thought a lot about I’ve had painted for me a vision of the future the remarkable legacy of my predecessors. In that has both challenged and inspired me. 1980, Richard Wherrett set a bold vision for what the work of STC might be for the people The stories we will be sharing with you in of Sydney – theatre that is “grand, vulgar, 2018 are an offering aimed at igniting and intelligent, challenging and fun”. That vision furthering this passion in you. There’s a is very much part of STC’s DNA, and is one I’m raft of new Australian plays that probe the excited to continue and expand upon. emotional and political heart of Australia, from both celebrated writers and writers I’ve also thought about the responsibility making their STC debut. There are familiar of running a company of the scale of STC. faces taking on titanic roles, whilst a new First and foremost, we’re here to connect generation of artists rises through the ranks. you to our country’s most extraordinary artists, familiar and new. We’re here to make This is a season that aims to live up to Wherrett’s works of ambition, and to surprise you with great vision for STC, and one that I hope experiences you’ve never encountered before. includes and inspires you, as well as your friends We’re also here to contribute to the cultural and family. After all, theatre is something we and political life of our nation. To interrogate do together, and I can’t wait to embark on this who we are, who we’ve been, and to spark next chapter in STC’s history with you. conversation about who we might want to become. Above all, we’re here to reflect back at you the ever-evolving face of our city. Kip Williams Artistic Director 2 3 THE TOP BENEFITS OF A SEASON TICKET Season Ticket Holders get big discounts on tickets, first access to the best seats, the flexibility to swap dates and pay in instalments, and many special offers throughout the year. A Season Ticket is more than a pack of 6 to 14 plays. It’s a year of unforgettable experiences with your favourite people. EXCLUSIVE RENEWAL WINDOW UNLIMITED FREE EXCHANGES “Subscribing to STC ensures a year of truly world- UNTIL 15 OCT We’re happy for you to swap to another date Renewing Season Ticket Holders enjoy of the same show, fee-free. Exchange online class theatre. I love supporting the local arts 3 weeks of first access to the best seats from or contact our Box Office. Subject to ticket Tue 26 Sep to Sun 15 Oct. Many of our plays availability, and some conditions apply. community and new Australian writing, and sell out, so a Season Ticket guarantees you’ll always look forward to my next show.” experience the most exciting, in-demand NO HIDDEN FEES DANIEL SIMMONDS theatre of 2018. There are no transaction fees on any Season Ticket booking. SAVE 20% ON TICKETS Your Season Ticket is the most cost-effective LOTS OF EXTRA REWARDS way to enjoy a year of theatre, saving you at Your Benefits Card unlocks discounts on least 20% on full-price single tickets. See all wine, cinemas, hotels, parking, cultural ticket prices in detail on pg 56–57. outings and more. Many special offers, discounts and other bonuses are also sent in DISCOUNT TICKETS ALL YEAR your monthly enewsletter. Visit Purchase tickets all year round for family and sydneytheatre.com.au/benefitsfor details. friends at a special discount. Great for gifts! PLAN FOR GOOD TIMES PAYMENT FLEXIBILITY Season Ticket Holders tell us that quality time Book by 29 Dec, and spread the cost of your with loved ones is one of the best things about Season Ticket across four instalments. a Season Ticket. You’ll have plenty to look Choose the deferred payment option online forward to in 2018! or on your booking form. A $10 admin fee and some conditions apply. 4 5 LOYALTY BENEFITS We love that so many of our Season Ticket Holders return year after year. Season Ticket Holders who have been with us for three or more years are recognised with this suite of extra benefits. w STARS LEGENDS People who have been a Season Ticket People who have been a Season Ticket Holder for 3–10 years receive the following Holder for 11 or more years receive the same benefits from our partners: benefits as our Stars, plus the following: The Theatre Bar at the End of The Wharf Exclusive access to best available seats A free glass of house wine with any main We have reserved an exclusive allocation course purchased. of best available seats during the priority renewal window for you to access as a thank “We love the variety of plays, the different venues Walsh Bay Kitchen you for your loyalty.* Reserve a table for any main meal and get a and the quality of the acting and productions. complimentary glass of sparkling wine on Adina Apartment Hotels arrival. Includes pre-theatre specials (see pg Receive a 15% discount from our It is a Sydney ‘cultural’ experience that always 60 for how to book). accommodation partner Adina Apartment enriches!” MARIAN WALSH Hotels, plus the choice of unlimited wifi, late Sydney Festival check-out or room upgrade. Take advantage of three exclusive ticket offers from Sydney Festival, which you’ll hear about The Theatre Bar at the End of The Wharf once its program is announced. A free cheese platter for two with any wine purchase after a show. Bennelong at Sydney Opera House Reserve a table for a main meal, including Walsh Bay Kitchen pre-theatre dining, and receive a special Reserve a table for any main meal and receive chef’s gift of Bennelong premium olive oil a complimentary amuse bouche. Includes pre- when dining in The Restaurant or at Cured & theatre specials (see pg 60 for how to book). Cultured at Bennelong. Call (02) 9240 8000 to book. * Renew early to avoid disappointment. There are many more benefits added through the year. Include your email address on your booking form to ensure you receive them all. Find all details and terms and conditions of the Season Ticket Holder Benefits Card at sydneytheatre.com.au/benefits 7 LONDON CALLING Win an amazing prize when you purchase your Season Ticket before 4 December A TRIP TO LONDON A WEEKEND IN CANBERRA Jet off for a luxury holiday in beautiful This weekend getaway prize draw is for those England. Fly Sydney to London with British who are seeing all 14 plays in our 2018 Season. Airways in Club World seats (Business Class). Slip off early on a Friday afternoon, and head “I love the variety and the surprise Explore London from one of the world’s most to the nation’s capital in a stylish Audi – yours iconic hotels, The Dorchester in Mayfair, for the weekend. Soak up the ambience of the of each play. You never know what and make your pilgrimage to South Bank elegant Hotel Kurrajong Canberra, and enjoy HELEN MACE for a performance at the National Theatre. a long afternoon at the latest exhibition at the adventure is in store.” Round out the trip by venturing into the National Gallery of Australia. quintessentially English countryside for a stay at opulent hotel and spa, Coworth Park, Ascot. All Season Ticket Holders who book all 14 plays in our main season by 4 Dec go into the All Season Ticket Holders booked by 4 Dec go draw to win this prize.