Belvoir St Theatre

Playwright Tommy Murphy, director Eamon Flack, set and costume designer Romanie Harper, and Belvoir's Head of New Work, Louise Gough discuss the cyclical patriarchal brutality of PACKER & SONS; a play which charts the transitions of power in one of Australia's most powerful families over three generations. Podcast recorded by Zoe Ferguson. *** Tommy writes real life like no one else – robust and brilliant, complex dramatic portraits, a pitch-perfect sense of the public interest in the private life. In other words, no one is better suited to write about the Packer line. This is about power in Sydney, and fathers and sons across generations, and the childhood traumas that drive us forward. From humble beginnings, the myth of the Packer dynasty grows in step with their increasing influence, as each son feels the weight of time, of power. Newspapers, magazines, broadcast TV – what are they? How does each generation keep the empire one step ahead of the technological race, declare himself free of the shadow of his father and build a lasting legacy. A deeply researched, muscular work, Packer & Sons puts on stage the men who have loomed large over Sydney for nearly a century, following the transitions of power from father to son over three generations. Supported by Australian Writers’ Guild’s David Williamson Prize, The Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, and the Walking Up the Hill Foundation. PACKER & SONS 16 NOV - 22 DEC TICKETS: https://bit.ly/2QSJRMS

Yve Blake, the writer of the book, music and lyrics of FANGIRLS, as well as one of its star performers, is joined by co-star Aydan, associate director Carissa Licciardello and musical director Alice Chance, to discuss the birth of the show and the much maligned demographic of unapologetically enthusiastic teenage girls. Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson.

Director Eamon Flack, along with performers Colin Friels, Sonia Todd and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash discuss the flawed and brilliant figure that was Galileo Galilei, the nature of truth and lies, and the high stakes theatre of astronomical reinvention. Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson.

Step behind the scenes, into the making of Andrew Bovell's THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE, directed by Neil Armfield.

Writer Andrea James, along with Director Anthea Williams, performer Angeline Penrith, and Cultural Design Consultant Danièle Hromek discuss the play, the importance of Country for Indigenous peoples and the value of the stage in telling one's stories. Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson.

Director Kate Champion and Co-Director Steve Rodger discuss with set designer Isabel Hudson and solo performer Kate Mulvany, the enduring and quietly powerful nature of Every Brilliant Thing and it's exploration of mental illness.  Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe Director Kate Champion Co-Director Steve Rodgers Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson. 8 - 31 March BOOK HERE

Director Jessica Arthur, alongside cast members, Brenna Harding, Sofia Nolan and Nikita Waldron discuss the understated power of teenage girls on the cusp of adulthood in this Pulitzer Prize nominated play. The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe Director Jessica Arthur Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson. 2 February - 3 March BOOK HERE

Writer S.Shkathidharan and Director Eamon Flack, discuss the monolithic endeavour that has been breathing life into COUNTING AND CRACKING after it was first conceived over 10 years ago. *  *  *  On the banks of the Georges River, Radha and her son Siddhartha release the ashes of Radha’s mother – their final connection to the past, to Sri Lanka and its struggles. Now they are free to embrace their lives in Australia. Then a phone call from Colombo brings the past spinning back to life, and we are plunged into an epic story of love and political strife, of home and exile, of parents and children. Counting and Cracking is a big new play about Australia like none we’ve seen before. This is life on a large canvas, so we are leaving Belvoir St and building a Sri Lankan town hall inside Sydney Town Hall. Sixteen actors play four generations of a family, from Colombo to Pendle Hill, in a story about Australia as a land of refuge, about Sri Lanka’s efforts to remain united, about reconciliation within families, across countries, across generations. We’ve done some big shows before – Cloudstreet, Angels in America. This is big too, but in a different way: it’s a new kind of Australian story. What makes it magnificent is its grand theatrical sweep, and its vision – deeply moving, compelling – necessary, of why we must never flag in the pursuit of an open society. Co-produced with Co-Curious Sri Lankan Meal provided by Dish Dining & Events. COUNTING AND CRACKING SYDNEY TOWN HALL JAN 11 - FEB 2 TICKETS: https://belvoir.com.au/productions/counting-and-cracking/

Writer S.Shkathidharan, Director Eamon Flack, and Cultural and Costume Advisor Anandavalli describe the mammoth undertaking that is COUNTING AND CRACKING, and the pressing need for theatre that speaks to the multiplicity of Australian and Sri-Lankan Australian life. *  *  *  On the banks of the Georges River, Radha and her son Siddhartha release the ashes of Radha’s mother – their final connection to the past, to Sri Lanka and its struggles. Now they are free to embrace their lives in Australia. Then a phone call from Colombo brings the past spinning back to life, and we are plunged into an epic story of love and political strife, of home and exile, of parents and children. Counting and Cracking is a big new play about Australia like none we’ve seen before. This is life on a large canvas, so we are leaving Belvoir St and building a Sri Lankan town hall inside Sydney Town Hall. Sixteen actors play four generations of a family, from Colombo to Pendle Hill, in a story about Australia as a land of refuge, about Sri Lanka’s efforts to remain united, about reconciliation within families, across countries, across generations. We’ve done some big shows before – Cloudstreet, Angels in America. This is big too, but in a different way: it’s a new kind of Australian story. What makes it magnificent is its grand theatrical sweep, and its vision – deeply moving, compelling – necessary, of why we must never flag in the pursuit of an open society. Co-produced with Co-Curious Sri Lankan Meal provided by Dish Dining & Events. COUNTING AND CRACKING SYDNEY TOWN HALL JAN 11 - FEB 2 TICKETS: https://belvoir.com.au/productions/counting-and-cracking/

The cast and creatives of Strindberg's trailblazing work, The Dance of Death (1900), discuss the play's inherent darkness and the enduring power of a tortured marriage laid out on stage. The Dance of Death by August Strindberg Director Judy Davis Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson. 10 November - 23 December BOOK HERE

The cast and creatives of An Enemy of the People discuss Ibsen's 1882 masterpiece, and how this play is allegorical of modern politics and our ongoing search for truth.  An Enemy of the People by Melissa Reeves after Henrik Ibsen Director Anne-Louise Sarks Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson. 7 October - 4 November BOOK HERE

Belvoir’s artistic director Eamon Flack brings all his trademark inventiveness and humour to this free-wheeling production, together with an ensemble cast of Belvoir favourites and fresh new talent.  Step backstage with director Eamon Flack, assistant director Carissa Licciardello and actors Fayssal Bazzi, Charlie Garber and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash as they discuss this mad-cap celebration of life. Based on The Suicide by Nikolai Erdman Director Eamon Flack Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson 1-29 APRIL BOOK HERE

Michelle Law’s debut play Single Asian Female arrives at Belvoir just in time for Chinese New Year. Step into a Chinese restaurant on the Sunshine Coast and meet the smart and sassy family of Wong women in this hilarious new work about cultural identity and family. Go behind the scenes with writer Michelle Law, director Claire Christian and actors Alex Lee, Courtney Stewart and Hsiao-Ling Tang as they discuss this heart-warming new Australian play. A La Boite Theatre Company production Writers Michelle Law Director Claire Christian Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson  16 FEBRUARY - 25 MARCH BOOK HERE

Belvoir is bringing rock ‘n’ roll back to Surry Hills this December with the powerful new Australian work, Barbara and the Camp Dogs. The extraordinary Ursula Yovich plays Barbara, a gutsy front woman burnt out by the Sydney music scene. When the feisty Barbara heads back to country with her sister René, she is forced to face the past she's been running from her whole life. Step behind the scenes with co-writers Alana Valentine and Ursula Yovich, and actor Elaine Crombie as they discuss this powerful new work. Writers Ursula Yovich & Alana Valentine Director Leticia Cáceres Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson  2 - 23 DECEMBER BOOK HERE

Where to next when subsidy subsides? Hear from Lighting Designer and industry stalwart Nick Schlieper for an urgent address about the state of arts funding and how our industry must respond. This lecture was presented at the Belvoir St Theatre on 20 November 2017.

Lally Katz's latest play ATLANTIS, sees five actors play over 50 characters in an epic journey of love, heartbreak, herpes, freezing your eggs, waiting for Kanye, stalking your ex on Instagram, Ponzi schemes, psychic hustlers and following your dreams. Step behind the scenes with Lally, director Rosemary Myers and actors Lucia Mastrantone and Amber McMahon as they discuss this wild adventure. Writer Lally Katz Director Rosemary Myers Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson  28 OCTOBER - 26 NOVEMBER BOOK HERE

Since the death of her charismatic but abusive husband, Helene Alving has been treading water in a sea of empty days. What keeps her going is a deeply held belief that salvation can only lie in telling her son Osvald the truth about his father. But when Osvald returns after living as an artist in France, he has his own truth to reveal: he is already living the consequences of his father’s life… Ghosts outraged critics and thrilled audiences when it first premiered. Over a century later, Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts, adapted specially for Belvoir by Eamon Flack, remains just as riveting and radical. Step behind the scenes with director Eamon Flack, lighting designer Nick Schlieper and actors Tom Conroy and Pamela Rabe as they discuss Ibsen’s controversial masterpiece. Writer Henrik Ibsen Director Eamon Flack Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson  16 SEPTEMBER - 22 OCTOBER BOOK HERE

Step behind the scenes with director Anthea Williams and her fabulous cast as they disciss gender, politics and family dysfunction in Taylor Mac's smash hit new play Hir. Isaac, a returned service man, has come home from the horror of Afghanistan to care for his father who has suffered a stroke, only to discover a brand new warzone. Paige (his Mum) is liberated from an oppressive and abusive marriage, his younger sibling, Max, has come out as transgender and together they’re on a crusade to smash the patriarchy to smithereens. Writer Taylor Mac Director Anthea Williams Produced by Zoe Ferguson for Belvoir. 12 AUGUST - 10 SEPTEMBER BOOK HERE

Step behind the scenes with director Eamon Flack, dramaturg Charlotte Bradley and actors Taylor Ferguson, Elizabeth Nabben, Toby Schmitz and Nikki Shiels as they share their thoughts on the themes explored in Aphra Behn's battle of the sexes. This 17th century classic follows a ratbaggy gang of exiled cavaliers as they plunge into the steamy depths of Naples at carnival time. They’re led by Willmore, a seventeenth-century playboy who’s been round the block a few times and survives by his wit and exuberance. But then he meets a young woman who has the guile to expose the Rover’s true self. He’s almost prepared to fall head over heels for her. But she’s a nun. And there’s the most beautiful woman in Europe on the same street… Writer Aphra Behn Director Eamon Flack Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson  1 JULY - 6 AUGUST BOOK HERE

Step behind the scenes of Mr Burns, a post-electric play. Director Imara Savage and actors Mitchell Butel and Jude Henshall share their thoughts on the ideas explored in this intelligent new work by Anne Washburn. This post-apocalyptic mash-up of pop culture imagines what happens to art after the end of the world, and The New York Post reckons ‘This bizarre, funny, bleak, wonderful show is even better than its hype’. Writer Anne Washburn Score by Michael Friedman Lyrics by Anne Washburn Director Imara Savage Produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson 19 MAY - 25 JUNE READ MORE

Elle Macpherson, the ABC’s Mark Colvin, Rwanda, the phone-hacking scandal and everything in between, this is the real-life story of an unlikely friendship between one of our finest journalists and the extraordinary woman who saved his life. Playwright Tommy Murphy brings this incredible true story to life in collaboration with director David Berthold (the dream team behind Holding the Man). Starring the glorious Sarah Peirse as Mary-Ellen Field, alongside Peter Carroll, John Howard as Mark Colvin and Helen Thomson as Elle Macpherson. Produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson 25 FEBRUARY - 2 APRIL BOOK HERE

Before Jasper Jones bounds back onto our stages on January 25, step behind the scenes of this much-loved production, with our brand new podcast. Author Craig Silvey, adaptor Kate Mulvany, director Anne-Louise Sarks and the gorgeous young cast all weigh in on the making of this smash hit. Produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson 25 JAN - 19 FEB 2017 BOOK NOW: http://bit.ly/2cbWzUG