FRONT COVER Left to right, back row to front row: Paul Clark designer H Martyn Greet mum of student Rueben H Marilyn Page audience member H Michael Hankin designer H Mel Page designer H Angela Betzien writer & artist H Gabrielle Bonney publications manager H Tim Kliendienst designer H Miles Buccoliero neighbour H Keiren Smith stage manager H Brenna Hobson executive director H Song Lim cleaner H Caitlin Porter senior theatre technician H Anthea Williams associate director – literary H Luke Cowling associate producer H Marty Jamieson digital content producer H Rueben Morrison-Greet student H Madison Anton work experience H Eliza Learmonth work experience H Francesca Sweeney-Nash student H Dawn Hobson audience member & volunteer H Anthony Baxter donor H Elly Michelle Clough publicity & public affairs manager H Wailyn Mar treasured subscriber & donor H James Winter youth express tutor H Emele Ugavule actor H Anne-Louise Sarks theatre-maker H Matthew Whittet, writer & artist H Jasper Whittet son of Matthew & long-time Belvoir pal H Jane May education manager H George Loupis treasured subscriber H Maruschka Loupis treasured subscriber H Sopa Enari dramaturg H Lasarus Ratuere actor H Ohmeed Ahi front of house manager H Molly Knight foyer caterer H Lena Cruz actor H Kit Brookman writer H Luke Mullins actor H
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE SHOOTS!
H
2016 SEASON H
A Message from Eamon
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Upstairs Jasper Jones The Blind Giant is Dancing The Great Fire The Events Back at the Dojo Twelfth Night The Drover’s Wife Faith Healer Girl Asleep
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Downstairs & in the Neighbourhood The Tribe Hannah Gadsby – Dogmatic Ruby’s Wish Title and Deed
28 30 32 34
Practical Stuff Your Guide to Our Season 36 Why Subscribe? 38 Prizes for Early Subscribers 40 Subscriber Benefits 41 Loyalty Program & 30-Down Club 42 Sunday Forums 43 How to Book Your Subscription 44 Packages & Prices 44 General Information 46 Box Office Hours 46 Performance Times 46 Map & Transport Info 47 Non-subscription Tickets 49 Thank You 52 2016 Season Calendars 54
Hello. My name’s Eamon, and I am very happily the new Artistic Director of this great old undertaking called Belvoir. This is our 2016 Season. We think it’s very good – but theatre’s nothing without an audience so please, don’t let me be the judge… By way of a beginning (this being my first season) we have put together a season which unashamedly plays to our strengths. What does Belvoir do best? That is the question. By its nature the theatre at Belvoir Street is three things. It is a home for the great old crafts of acting and story in Australian theatre. It is a platform for voices that otherwise won’t be heard. And it is a gathering of outspoken humanist ideals. In short: theatricality, variety of life, and faith in humanity. Theatricality is what happens when great actors play great roles in great plays. It’s that rough magic we come to the theatre for – a strange and marvellous What was that? – a sudden, very playful but very real sense that humans are magnificent. Theatricality is faith in humanity. But Belvoir has never settled for theatricality alone. The world is an endless proliferation of new stories. They erupt out of the chaos of globalisation, political decay, displaced populations, climate change… A healthy society has to accommodate the full variety of life – it has to take stock of all the new stories without losing sight of the good old stories. That’s what we invented politics for. Only politics without theatricality is like, well, 6
Australian politics: deeply unmagnificent. No, we must have theatricality, and we must have variety of life. All must be included, all must be spoken for, and spoken for brilliantly, with the full force of human impressiveness – spoken for theatrically. It’s a marvellous, Quixotic undertaking – theatricality that extends to the full variety of life. The season we have put together is a season about how we live together. Family is a big theme, so too is society. There are shows about families and shows for families (including special performance times for kids and incipient adults). There are shows about our society, shows with our society, shows out in our society (have a look at The Events and The Tribe, you’ll see what I mean). There are great actors, writers and directors: Peter Carroll, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Hannah Gadsby, Lally Katz, Catherine McClements, Geoff Morrell, Luke Mullins, Kate Mulvany, Leah Purcell, Stephen Sewell, Hazem Shammas, Nikki Shiels, Dan Spielman, Yael Stone… There are plays from the past, plays from now, plays from now about the past. There are plays from here and plays from other countries. There are angry plays, political plays, celebrations. There are splendid big acts of community, and solo feats of daring. There are comedies, romances, fables, epics, whodunnits. There are lonely tales, vast canvases, humble undertakings, foolhardy
undertakings – look, they’re all foolhardy undertakings, it wouldn’t be Belvoir otherwise… Theatricality. Variety of life. Faith in humanity. Come and see. H Thank you to my colleagues at Belvoir who programmed the season with me: Jada Alberts, Luke Cowling, Brenna Hobson, Anne-Louise Sarks and Anthea Williams. For this historical document: Tim, Paul, Brett, Tom, Gabe and Marty. For getting the season ready to go: Elly, Jason, John, Tanya. To the whole staff of Belvoir, for everything. For all the
conversation: Neil Armfield, Kit Brookman, Mitchell Butel, Leticia Cáceres, Luke Carroll, Tom Conroy, Matt Lutton, Ross McGregor, Luke Mullins, Robyn Nevin, Pam Rabe, Tom Wright, and a whole lot of agents – you know who you are (Ann and Julie – thanks). Ultimately, to Ralph Myers: for giving me my first Upstairs show and the ones that followed, and for your courage and the theatre it made possible – thank you.
Eamon Flack Artistic Director 7
Let’s begin with a cracker play for any Australian, of any age*, and any creed. We’d love you all to come. The backblocks of Western Australia. It’s summer, 1965. Overseas there’s war in Indochina, Civil Rights marches, the stirrings of women’s liberation – but at home Charlie Bucktin dreams of writing the Great Australian Novel. Charlie’s 13 and smart. Perhaps too smart. But when blamed-foreverything Jasper Jones appears at his window one night, Charlie’s out of his depth. Jasper has stumbled upon a terrible crime in the scrub nearby, and he knows he’s the first suspect – that goes with the colour of his skin. He needs every ounce of Charlie’s bookish brain if the truth is to emerge before the town turns on Jasper. As the boys negotiate the secrets of a small town, the winds of change blow… But how do teenage Australians solve the riddles of a changing world? Kate Mulvany’s adaptation of Craig Silvey’s award-winning novel is like Dorothy Hewett riffing on Harper Lee. It’s funny and it’s wise. A coming-of-age story for a generation, and a nation too. *If you’re 13 or over!
Based on the novel by Craig Silvey Adapted by Kate Mulvany
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Director Anne-Louise Sarks Set Designer Michael Hankin Costume Designer Mel Page Composer & Sound Designer Steve Toulmin
2 JAN – 7 FEB UPSTAIRS Recommended for ages 13+
Matilda, Lasarus & Charles
With Tom Conroy Lasarus Ratuere Matilda Ridgeway Charles Wu
HOW DO TEENAGE AUSTRALIANS SOLVE THE RIDDLES OF A CHANGING WORLD?
Special family performance times (see p46). 11
Brutality in the workplace, rage in the streets, seething in the home. The vulnerability of political parties when they’ve forgotten why they’re there. The intellectual torpor of modern Australia. How power corrupts. Stephen Sewell’s play is an angry and tender depiction of an idealist who becomes so embroiled in a party power struggle that he loses sight of what’s at stake. When it premiered in 1983, The Blind Giant is Dancing felt like a sharp slap in the face. And in an age of ICAC, Union credit cards, speculative housing bubbles, a pulverised working class, vapid leadership… it’s definitely time for another look at this Australian classic. Artistic Director Eamon Flack begins his tenure with a company of twelve of the country’s great actors and one of the country’s great plays.
By Stephen Sewell Director Eamon Flack
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With Ivan Donato Russell Kiefel
Geoff Morrell Dan Spielman Yael Stone
13 FEB – 20 MAR UPSTAIRS
Dan & Yael
BOB: THEY’RE GOING TO CLOSE THE PLACE DOWN, ALLEN. THEY’LL IMPORT EVERYTHING. WE WON’T HAVE A MANUFACTURING SECTOR LEFT. ALLEN: THAT’S CAPITALISM. THE LIGHTS CHANGE. 13
A comedy, a family, ten actors, a landscape (view of the Adelaide Hills), a great deal of conversation about politics and life, Christmas, large hopes, five tons of love.* The Great Fire is a big new play about us – middle Australia in 2016. Many years ago, in the 1970s, in pursuit of a good life and a sustainable future, Judith and Patrick built a house in the Adelaide Hills. They raised the kids here. As time wore on, bit by bit, the family drifted both from the house and the dream it was born from. Now it’s Christmas, the first grandchild is on the way and all three generations have gathered again. In the tinderbox heat of summer, Judith is at a crossroads: can the life they pursued in the first place come good again? Warm, funny, deeply felt, The Great Fire is the work of a brilliant new writing talent, Kit Brookman, with a brilliant ensemble cast. We present it here as a kind of companion to The Blind Giant is Dancing – a pair of plays a generation apart about family, about holding your course, about what will survive of the fading triumph of Australian social democracy. *With apologies to Anton Chekhov, whose own description of his play The Seagull we have adapted here.
By Kit Brookman Director Eamon Flack Lighting Designer Damien Cooper 14
With Sarah Armanious Peter Carroll Sandy Gore
Shelly Lauman Marcus McKenzie Geoff Morrell Genevieve Picot
2 APR – 8 MAY UPSTAIRS
Sandy, Genevieve, Geoff, Sarah, Peter (& Lucky Jim!)
AN ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL PLAY, SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS OF A FAMILY.
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12 MAY – 12 JUN UPSTAIRS
By David Greig Director Clare Watson With Catherine McClements Sydney community choirs 16
A co-production with Malthouse Theatre and State Theatre Company of South Australia in association with Sydney Festival
A mesmerising piece of playwriting – generous, compassionate and subtle – The Events was the sleeper hit of the 2013 Edinburgh Festival. For this Australian premiere production, the brilliant Catherine McClements finally returns to the Belvoir Street stage, joined by a host of Sydney’s community choirs in an extraordinary fusion of theatre and music. Claire is a minister and the director of a choir that meets regularly in a local hall. It’s made up of all sorts: the lonely, outsiders, strangers – and the privileged, the comfortable. In short, she has built a community. But when a disaffected young man enters the hall and opens fire with a semi-automatic, this community – and the ideals that formed it – are blown apart. After the event, a dialogue unfolds between Claire and a young man. She is unpacking the Pandora’s box of herself – her rage, her fears, and ultimately some hope. The young man is something else: the voice of the alienated, an enemy within, a lost generation. He plays many roles, but in an era of Port Arthur and Martin Place they all ask the same big question: How do we live together knowing it can all come apart in a moment? (We’re also taking The Events to a community hall in Western Sydney in January for six very special performances, as part of Sydney Festival 2016.) Catherine & One World Choral
‘THIS IS A MIGHTY PLAY ABOUT NOT JUST ONE LOST SOUL, BUT MANY... ABOUT THE THINGS THAT BIND US TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, THE THINGS THAT DRIVE US APART, AND WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES US HUMAN.’ HHHH THE GUARDIAN
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18 JUN – 17 JUL UPSTAIRS
By Lally Katz Director Chris Kohn
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Lighting Designer Richard Vabre Sound Designer Jethro Woodward
With Dara Clear Natsuko Mineghishi Luke Mullins
From the utterly marvellous writer of Neighbourhood Watch and The Cat comes a modern romance about wanderlust, love and karate. Lally Katz has spent the past decade turning her life into a series of hilarious and theatrically gorgeous plays. This time it’s her parents’ turn. After nearly losing his mind in the abandon of 1960s America, young Danny (who happens to share a name with Lally’s father) finds his way again with the help of an enigmatic sensei. At a New Jersey karate dojo, he and other mislaid souls make their way back into the world, and Danny bumps into a woman called Lois... Meanwhile, in present-day Australia, Danny’s long-lost grandson has decided to become Patti Smith… Inspired by the true events that brought Dan and Lois Katz together, Back at the Dojo features a Hogarthian parade of characters, two real-life karate masters, and the incomparable Luke Mullins (Angels in America, The Glass Menagerie) in a role written specially for him. Belvoir joins forces with legendary Melbourne company Stuck Pigs Squealing for this ravishing, nourishing story about the myths families live by.
Natsuko, Dan Katz & Luke
A co-production with Stuck Pigs Squealing
A MODERN ROMANCE ABOUT WANDERLUST, LOVE AND KARATE FROM THE ONE-AND-ONLY LALLY KATZ. 19
23 JUL – 4 SEP UPSTAIRS What country, friends, is this? Viola (Act 1, Sc 2) Twins are washed up after a shipwreck on the shores of a strange land, each unaware of the other’s fate. They’re in Illyria, which is strangely like our world: the repressed and the debauched are at constant war, the desires of men and women seem eternally thwarted. But this is a dreamland too – where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem. Girls are boys, boys are girls, puritans are lusting suitors, drunkards are moralists, and fools, of course, are wise. Eventually brother and sister find each other again – that’s hardly a spoiler – but what will they see and hear in the meantime? There’s more to Shakespeare’s great play than muddled identity and exuberant celebration – it’s a mature story of melancholia amid the mayhem, of what is lost along the way even when life’s journey is a barrel of laughs. With Peter Carroll as the killjoy Malvolio, and the wonderful Nikki Shiels as Viola, joined by an array of rogues and charmers, Twelfth Night will be something deliciously warm for a Sydney mid-winter.
THERE’S MORE TO SHAKESPEARE’S GREAT PLAY THAN MUDDLED IDENTITY AND EXUBERANT CELEBRATION – IT’S A MATURE STORY OF MELANCHOLIA AMID THE MAYHEM. 20
Nikki & Peter
By William Shakespeare Director Eamon Flack
With Peter Carroll Nikki Shiels
Special family performance times (see p46). 21
If anyone can write a full-throttle drama of our colonial past, it’s the indomitable Leah Purcell. We all know Henry Lawson’s story of the Drover’s Wife. Her stoic silhouette against an unforgiving landscape, her staring down of the serpent; it’s the frontier myth captured in a few pages. In Leah’s new play the old story gets a very fresh rewrite. Once again the Drover’s Wife is confronted by a threat in her yard, but now it’s a man. He’s bleeding, he’s got secrets, and he’s black. She knows there’s a fugitive wanted for killing whites, and the district is thick with troopers, but something’s holding the Drover’s Wife back from turning this fella in... A taut thriller of our pioneering past, with a black sting to the tail, The Drover’s Wife reaches from our nation’s infancy into our complicated present. And best of all, Leah’s playing the Wife herself.
By Leah Purcell Director Leticia Cáceres
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With Leah Purcell
Indigenous theatre at Belvoir supported by The Balnaves Foundation
17 SEP – 16 OCT UPSTAIRS
Leah
A TAUT THRILLER OF OUR PIONEERING PAST, WITH A BLACK STING TO THE TAIL. IT REACHES FROM OUR NATION’S INFANCY INTO OUR COMPLICATED PRESENT. 23
Last century. The lovelorn, the malformed and the sick flock to a gifted rogue billed The Fantastic Francis Hardy: Faith Healer. Frank drifts the back roads of Britain with his embittered wife and tiredof-life manager, hoping to find their way home. He might be just another shyster, more showman than shaman. But the trouble is, sometimes Fantastic Francis actually does bring the healing touch. The masterpiece of one of the greatest playwrights of the last 50 years, Brian Friel’s Faith Healer becomes more and more fascinating as it progresses. On one level about artifice and social responsibility, it’s also the story of what it means for a damaged family to be healed, and what it means to be truly saved. Hardy is an extraordinary creation: lovable charmer, proud tyrant, exploiter, saviour; saintly when he’s sinning, most honest in his lies. Who better to bring the Healer to life than Brian Friel’s near-namesake, our own Colin Friels?
By Brian Friel Director Judy Davis
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With Colin Friels
TEDDY: SPEND YOUR LIFE IN SHOWBUSINESS AND YOU BECOME A PHILOSOPHER.
22 OCT – 27 NOV UPSTAIRS
Colin
A MASTERPIECE FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST CONTEMPORARY PLAYWRIGHTS, BRIAN FRIEL, FOR ONE OF OUR GREATEST ACTORS, COLIN FRIELS. 25
Caught in the headlights of her 15th birthday, Greta wishes she could be anywhere else. And strangely enough ‘anywhere else’ is exactly where she finds herself – a peculiar Through-the-LookingGlass existence that transforms the weird hypocrisy of the adult world into something absurdly beautiful. The bitchy twins who make school a misery, her almost too-romantic imaginary boyfriend, her hyperventilating parents… they all crop up in her tour of her own subconscious. But eventually, even a girl asleep has to wake up. In recent years we’ve come to know and love Matthew Whittet’s distinctive voice (Seventeen, Cinderella, Old Man). Now, from its season at the Adelaide Festival, we present his hit collaboration with Windmill’s Director Rosemary Myers – a play about being lost in the jungle of teenagerdom and coming out the other side. Part fable and part lipstick-smeared vigilante escapade, this is a girl’s own adventure. Heroism and gender implode in a gaudy and gawky rite-of-passage story like you’ve never seen. Or have chosen to forget. Don’t think you’re too old for this happy mayhem. Fifteen never dies.
By Matthew Whittet Director Rosemary Myers
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Set & Costume Designer Jonathon Oxlade Lighting Designer Richard Vabre Original Soundtrack Luke Smiles – motion laboratories Movement Consultant Gabrielle Nankivell
2 – 24 DEC UPSTAIRS Recommended for ages 14+
Amber, Matthew & Eamon
With Eamon Farren Jude Henshall
Amber McMahon Ellen Steele Matthew Whittet
A Windmill Theatre production
Special family performance times (see p46). 27
After seeing its acclaimed debut season at Sydney Festival, we were keen to bring Urban Theatre Projects’ The Tribe from the streets of Sydney’s west into our own backyard in Surry Hills. Not figuratively either: it actually is a show for the intimacy of the humble back garden, and that’s where we’ll present it – in an assortment of Surry Hills backyards. Performed by the inimitable Hazem Shammas (Mother Courage and Her Children, Scorched), this is a story of belonging, told by Bani as a small boy finding his way in a young country by recounting tales of an old country – and at the heart of it all, his love for his grandmother. She’s the core presence in Bani’s life, carrying all the truths of ‘The Tribe’ – a small Muslim sect who fled to Australia from Lebanon. Hazem’s Bani is like a visionary child channelling a Bedouin storyteller – all amongst the Hills Hoists, paling fences, frangipani and jasmine of the Sydney yard. Michael Mohammed Ahmad’s novella becomes an open invitation – to listen to an Arab-Australian story from our backyard, in our backyards. Don’t miss this very special event.
Adapted by Michael Mohammed Ahmad & Janice Muller Based on the novel by Michael Mohammed Ahmad 30
Director Janice Muller Composer Oonagh Sherrard With Hazem Shammas Oonagh Sherrard
19 JAN – 7 FEB SURRY HILLS BACKYARDS
Hazem
An Urban Theatre Projects production
A SHOW FOR THE INTIMACY OF THE HUMBLE BACK GARDEN, AND THAT’S WHERE WE’LL PRESENT IT – IN AN ASSORTMENT OF SURRY HILLS BACKYARDS. 31
Hello. I would like to invite you to attend my show, Dogmatic. I have worked very hard on it and I am a very charming performer. But these things alone do not maketh a show. I need you. I need you to buy a ticket, attend the relevant session and laugh at me. What a darling team we will be. Ok. Bye. Hannah x (This invitation does not extend to knob biscuits.) Hannah Gadsby is one of Australia’s most distinctive comic performers. A storyteller par excellence with a joke rate that most dads at a family BBQ would envy, Hannah is guaranteed to tickle your humour fancy, if not split your sides, as she takes you on an unforgettable journey through her unusual brain. Her droll delivery, delightful wordplay and self-deprecating observations have delighted audiences all over the world, drawn critical acclaim and a swag of awards. A regular on our TV screens, Hannah is at her absolute best when she is playing herself, so much so she was cast in ABC TV’s hit comedy series Please Like Me where she stars as the character Hannah. She is not really acting. In Dogmatic, Hannah will be attempting to explain her thought processes and the woeful life choices that have led her to where she is today. You will laugh. She will remain confused.
‘… one of our best comedians: at once outré and heartfelt, brutal and uplifting. She’s a marvel.’ ★★★★ The Age ‘... just wonderful… such warmth, such candour, such intelligence and so many, many laughs.’ The Scotsman 32
20 – 22 MAY UPSTAIRS
Hannah & Doug
Writer & Performer Hannah Gadsby A Token Events production
JOIN US UPSTAIRS FOR SOME LATE-NIGHT STAND-UP COMEDY WITH HANNAH. ONLY A HANDFUL OF PERFORMANCES – GRAB YOUR TICKETS! 33
21 SEP – 9 OCT DOWNSTAIRS Recommended for ages 6+
Ruby & Holly
By Holly Austin, Adriano Cappelletta & Jo Turner Concept Holly Austin Director Jo Turner
Set & Costume Designer Pip Runciman Lighting Designer Verity Hampson Puppetry Director Alice Osborne
Composer & Sound Designer Steve Francis Animation Tim Watts
It’s back! The beguiling story of Ruby, a little girl who may not believe in fairytales but who certainly believes in wishes. Confined to a hospital bed for much of her childhood, little Ruby has had to grow up far too fast, and confront too much. But when she is visited by Dot, a tongue-tied clown doctor, she finds a way to use her greatest asset: her imagination. With exquisite puppetry, in a tale forged of fantasy and reality, Ruby’s Wish is a pocket-sized bundle of charm for all ages. As we watch the two misfits – ailing child and awkward clown – create their fantasy world of mop monsters, bed caves and imaginary paper friends, we are drawn into Ruby’s bittersweet life – and come to see that imagination can make almost anything come true. After a rapturously received outing in 2014, we’re very pleased to bring MAKEbeLIVE’s puppets, magic, beatbox and exquisite performances back for another season. If you missed it last time, well, here is your second chance. ‘I gave it 9.2 out of 10.’ Scarlett Wallace (aged 10) The Australian
Puppets Erth Visual & Physical Inc. Interactive Designer Annie McKinnon Producer Clara Iaccarino
With Holly Austin Adriano Cappelletta Kate Sherman A MAKEbeLIVE production
Special family performance times (see p46). 35 35
13 OCT – 6 NOV DOWNSTAIRS
By Will Eno Director Jada Alberts
36
With Jimi Bani
Indigenous theatre at Belvoir supported by The Balnaves Foundation
(A Monologue for a Slightly Foreign Man) We all come from blood and saltwater and a screaming mother begging us to leave. From the pen of Will Eno, who was described by the New York Times as ‘a Samuel Beckett for the Jon Stewart generation’, comes this 70-minute monologue of disarming wisdom. He’s called The Traveller. He tells us from the outset he is ‘not from here’; his eccentric world is our world too – but seen through the eyes of someone who looks in from the outside. Is he a migrant? Refugee? A prophet from the wilderness to remind us who we are? Or is he from somewhere even further away? We’re very pleased to have Jimi Bani (Peter Pan, The Sapphires) back on our stage, under the direction of Jada Alberts (writer of Brothers Wreck). Between them they’ll bring a distinctly Australian perspective to this international hit.
Jimi
‘IN THIS TALE’S BRILLIANT TELLING, IT IS NOT THE NARRATOR WHO PROVES UNRELIABLE BUT LIFE ITSELF. THE UNSPOKEN MESSAGE OF ENO’S SMART, BLEAK MUSINGS SEEMS TO BE: ENJOY THE NOTHINGNESS WHILE YOU CAN.’ THE NEW YORKER
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Your Guide to Our Season To help you navigate the season and select the productions that will suit you down to the ground, we’ve put together this little guide – you might say it’s a library of the selected works of Belvoir 2016, loosely theatrically themed. It’s a guide to the ideas and variety of the season, so you can Artistically Direct your own subscription package.
H The Kitchen Table The family – prison or paradise? We’ve all got one, or come from one at least. Everyone loves a great family drama. The Great Fire The Blind Giant is Dancing Back at the Dojo Girl Asleep The Tribe Ruby’s Wish The Drover’s Wife
H Stop Laughing, This is Serious Need a good laugh? These will provide. Twelfth Night Girl Asleep Back at the Dojo Jasper Jones Hannah Gadsby
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H The Way We Were Plays that deal with where we’ve come from – that complicated, misunderstood world: The Past. Jasper Jones The Blind Giant is Dancing The Tribe Back at the Dojo Girl Asleep The Drover’s Wife
H The Female Protagonist Women right up front and centre. The Drover’s Wife The Great Fire The Events Girl Asleep Hannah Gadsby
H H Can I Take My Kids to This?
H The Big Smoke
Yes! We want more kids in the building in 2016!
‘A city is a state of mind.’ Bertolt Brecht
FOR LITTLE KIDS & UP: Ruby’s Wish
Urban works to ignite your passion for the city.
FOR TEENS & UP: Jasper Jones Girl Asleep Twelfth Night The Tribe
The Tribe The Blind Giant is Dancing The Events Faith Healer Girl Asleep Back at the Dojo
H The Getting of Wisdom ‘You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever.’ Germaine Greer Growing up… Girl Asleep The Events Back at the Dojo Ruby’s Wish The Tribe Jasper Jones The Great Fire
H What Country, Friends, is This? (VIOLA, TWELFTH NIGHT)
If you love landscapes and language, these might just be the ticket. The Drover’s Wife The Great Fire Jasper Jones Twelfth Night Faith Healer Title and Deed
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Why Subscribe? There are so many excellent reasons to subscribe to Belvoir’s 2016 Season: cheaper prices, guaranteed seats, flexible packages, it’s fast and easy, plus you get to lock in some regular dates with your loved ones.
Guaranteed seats
Flexibility
Never miss that fabulous show again. By subscribing you’re guaranteed the best available seats to all your chosen productions – a particular bonus when shows sell out.
If your plans change, not a problem. As long as our Box Office receives your original tickets or an emailed image of your torn tickets 48 hours before your booked performance, we’ll exchange your tickets for another performance of the same play, at no cost. (Please note: this applies to your first exchange for each play only and is subject to availability. Subsequent ticket exchanges may incur a fee, payable at time of exchange. Treasured subscribers in our Loyalty program are exempt from fees.)
Priority period & new online subscriptions Even though everyone can book online immediately with our new and improved online subscriptions, if you are a renewing subscriber your booking is our priority if we receive your subscription by 6pm Friday 25 September 2015 (see your renewal letter for details). Book online at belvoir.com.au/subscribe. Subscribe for up to 10 people and your tickets are allocated immediately. For more info see How to Book Your Subscription on p44.
Cheaper tickets You can save up to 28% of the usual ticket price when you subscribe. Value! The more shows you see the more money you’ll save.
Pay only half now If you are booking with a paper form (not online) and paying by credit card, you can choose to pay just half now then the balance on 1 February 2016. 38
Family & friends tickets and pre-sale period When you book your subscription you can purchase additional tickets at a discounted price to all Belvoir performances both Upstairs and Downstairs, to bring along family and friends. And when tickets go on general sale throughout the year, you can buy them one week before nonsubscribers.
Prepaid programs No more digging for coins at the counter! Save over $1 per program by buying them as part of your subscription. Vouchers will be sent with your tickets.
WHY SUBSCRIBE?
FREE THINGS FOR YOU Amazing prizes!
A free ticket
Get your subscription in by 6pm Monday 2 November 2015 and you could win one of a range of excellent prizes. And if you are part of our Loyalty program and introduce a friend to subscribe to Belvoir for the first time this year, you will also go in the draw for a very special prize. See p40 for full details.
If you were a subscriber in 2015 and we receive your 2016 subscription for an Upstairs Theatre package of 7 plays or more before 6pm Monday 2 November 2015 we’ll give you one free ticket to a performance you are attending, so you can bring a friend or loved one to Belvoir. Details are on the booking form.
Our 30-Down Club If you’re aged 30 or under we’d love you to join the 30-Down Club. We’ve got special prices and access to more performances this year, so you and your friends can get along to loads of theatre in 2016. Info and prices on p42.
See the people you love You can’t sit next to your loved ones in a virtual world but you can in the theatre. Subscribing with friends and family means you’re booking in regular dates together. It’s such a good way to get away from your devices and see something extraordinary right in front of your eyes. (Make sure you subscribe together online or send your paper forms in together.)
Free drinks If you’re subscribing to Belvoir for the first time, we’d like to welcome you with a free drink – a voucher will be sent with your tickets. And if you are part of our Loyalty program you’ll enjoy discounted drinks with every show, see p42 for details.
Free Belvoir magazine In the middle of the year we’ll send you our complimentary Belvoir magazine, Interval. It’s chock full of company and program news, behind-the-scenes interviews with artists, news bites, rehearsal photos and lots more.
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FABULOUS PRIZES FOR EARLY SUBSCRIBERS To encourage you to subscribe early we have a range of fantastic prizes you could win. Send us your 2016 subscription form before 6pm Monday 2 November 2015 and you will go in the draw to win…
An overseas trip for two!
Plus!
Two return economy-class flights to an international destination of your choice, up to the value of $4,000.
This year, if you are a member of our Loyalty program (see p42) and you introduce someone to subscribe to Belvoir for the first time, you will go in the draw to win…
Or these great prizes…
A three-night midweek stay for up to 10 guests in one of the Hunter Valley Stays unique country house properties in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country. Prize includes a gourmet cheese platter and private wine tasting at your property, as well as 12 bottles of premium Hunter Valley wine. Valued at $3,000.
OPERA AUSTRALIA Two Premium reserve tickets (or best available) to an opera of your choice at the Sydney Opera House in 2016. Offer excludes opening night performances, New Year’s Eve, Saturday nights, matinees and musicals, and is subject to availability. Valued at $600. CELLARMASTERS A case of premium wines valued at $326. VINI A pre-show dinner for two people (excluding alcohol) valued at $200. MOVIDA A pre-show dinner for two people (excluding alcohol), plus a copy of Movida’s cookbook, valued at $150. ZAHLI A lunch or dinner for two people (excluding alcohol) valued at $150. THE DEVONSHIRE A pre-show dinner for two people (excluding alcohol) valued at $100. 40
Winners will be drawn at random at 6pm Monday 23 November 2015 and notified by phone. Names of winners will be published for prizes valued at over $500. NSW Permit No: LTPS/15/05970 NSW Permit No: LTPS/15/05971
WHY SUBSCRIBE?
Subscriber Benefits These friends of Belvoir provide our subscribers with exclusive discounts. Use your 2016 subscriber benefits card to take advantage of them. Check our website for full details and additional benefits added throughout the year: belvoir.com.au/subscriber-benefits
121BC CANTINA & ENOTECA Receive 10% off the wide range of regional Italian wine at 121BC cantina (wine shop) in Surry Hills. Also enjoy pre- and post-show drinks with a 10% discount at 121BC enoteca (wine bar). Valid Tuesday–Thursday, 5pm–7pm and 9pm–midnight. CELLARMASTERS Receive a $50 wine voucher with a minimum spend of $120.
TIME OUT SYDNEY Subscribe to this popular magazine for 12 months for just $29.95, plus receive a gift with your purchase. ZAHLI Receive 10% discount off your pre- or post-show meal. Bookings essential. Mention this benefit and show your Belvoir ticket.
THE DEVONSHIRE Pay only $75 per person for the $95 eight-course degustation (Monday– Friday only; not valid with other offers/ BYO; not available during December). HUNTER VALLEY STAYS Receive three complimentary bottles of premium Hunter Valley wine with any two-night booking of two to six guests, or six bottles for seven or more guests. (Not available on public holidays or concert weekends.) Please mention you are a Belvoir subscriber when booking. OPERA AUSTRALIA Receive 8% off all single tickets to mainstage productions in Sydney or Melbourne.
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30-Down Club We have a three-tiered Loyalty program that recognises the special commitment shown by our patrons who have been subscribers for 4+ consecutive years.
Treasured subscribers = 10+ consecutive years
Devoted subscribers = 7–9 consecutive years
If you’re aged 30 or under you’re on our radar and we have a subscriber group just for you. We want you to see as much theatre as possible so we’ve heavily discounted our prices. And subscribing is a great way to lock in some dates with friends and family. You’ll also get ongoing benefits (see p41) and a chance to win fabulous prizes (see p40).
Loyal subscribers
Choose any of these performances:
= 4–6 consecutive years
★
If you are part of our Loyalty program or are entering it for the first time you will receive: ★ the
chance to win a Hunter Valley holiday package valued at $3,000 if you introduce a friend to subscribe to Belvoir for the first time
★ invitations
throughout the year to special Belvoir events – we’ll be in touch!
★ a
collectible Belvoir 2016 Season key ring discount on wine, beer and glasses of post-mix soft drink purchased for yourself at Belvoir St Theatre’s Hal Bar – you need to flash your key ring.
Previews Wednesday evening ★ Thursday evening ★ Friday evening ★ Saturday matinee ★ Saturday evening ★
UPSTAIRS THEATRE 9 plays
$ 308
$34.22 per play
8 plays
$ 282
$35.25 per play
7 plays
$ 261
$37.29 per play
6 plays
$ 236
$39.33 per play
5 plays
$ 209
$41.80 per play
★ $2
PLUS! Treasured subscribers are entitled to unlimited fee-free ticket exchanges.
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DOWNSTAIRS & IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD $32 per play
To join the 30-Down Club you must send proof of age with your booking.
Sunday forums It’s not just about seeing the shows – there’s a conversation to be had as well.
JASPER JONES 3pm, 7 February
Sometimes the most fascinating part of a theatre-going experience is delving into not just what it’s about, but how it’s being done. At Belvoir’s Sunday Forums we bring artists and audiences together to peel back the surface and see what’s really going on in our plays. We’ll chew over the social, the political and the familial. We’ll discuss the play, the production – and the glorious space between the two. Serious one month, feisty the next – but always intriguing and you’re always invited.
THE BLIND GIANT IS DANCING
We hold a Forum for each of our Upstairs performances. The panellists are made up of both theatre artists and invited guests; you can check our website in advance for a run-down of who will be on and the topic of conversation. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, meet your fellow audience members and continue the discussion informally with us in the bar afterwards.
3pm, 16 October
3pm, 20 March
THE GREAT FIRE 3pm, 8 May
THE EVENTS 3pm, 12 June
BACK AT THE DOJO 3pm, 17 July
TWELFTH NIGHT 3pm, 4 September
THE DROVER’S WIFE FAITH HEALER 3pm, 27 November
GIRL ASLEEP 3pm, 18 December
Sunday Forums are FREE but we’d like you to book so we can save you a spot. Book online at belvoir.com.au/sundayforum or call Box Office. Tweet while you listen using #sundayforum
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HOW TO BOOK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION CHECKLIST Before you book, have these things at the ready and tick off this list.
Online subscription features include: ★ Subscribe
for up to 10 people discounted additional tickets for family and friends ★ Pre-order your programs ★ Tickets are allocated immediately (allow 10 working days for postage) ★ Buy
Your chosen plays Your preferred dates Number of programs to purchase Your details Your companion/s details Any special seating requirements Your proof of concession if applicable IMPROVED ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS belvoir.com.au/subscribe Jump online, subscribe immediately and beat the queue with our improved online subscriptions. We encourage you to book this way – it’s fast and easy.
HARD COPY FORM If you were a subscriber in 2015, use the personalised booking form sent with your 2016 season book. Or complete any hard copy booking form (also available on our website), then mail, fax or drop it back to our Box Office. You can also scan and email it to mail@belvoir.com.au
Choose your package UPSTAIRS THEATRE
Plays Full price
Seniors*
Concession† 30-Down
Previews
(Save up to $178)
(Save up to $142) (Save up to $115)
(Save up to $115) (Save up to $97)
9
$470
$416
$326
$308
$263
8
$446
$394
$306
$282
$250
7
$422
$366
$289
$261
$233
6
$380
$332
$266
$236
$206
5
$324
$288
$230
$209
$177
DOWNSTAIRS & IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Subscriber Discounted Mates Rates Seniors*
Concession† 30-Down
Previews
$45
$38
$30
$42
$32
* Seniors prices are available with an eligible Australian Government-issued Seniors Card. † Concession prices are available with a full-time student card, all Centrelink Pensioner concession and Veterans’ Affairs Cards. To claim any concessions or to join the 30-Down Club you must send proof with your booking form. If you have previously supplied your Seniors or Veterans’ Affairs Card you don’t need to send it again.
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HOW TO BOOK LET US DO ALL THE WORK You can just choose your preferred day of the week, eg ‘any Saturday at 2pm’, and we’ll choose the dates and give you the best available seats. You are free to change them if you need to. (Exchange conditions apply.)
Submitting your booking
PREVIEWS & OPENING NIGHTS The first one to three dates of each show’s season are preview performances that you are welcome to book into (please check performance times as these can vary). Opening nights are always by invitation only and cannot be booked as part of your subscription. Please check dates on the calendars on pp54–56.
Scan & email your completed hard copy form (with credit card details) to mail@belvoir.com.au or fax to 02 9698 3688.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE If you have any special seating, audio or accessibility requests, or if you are interested in our captioned or audio-described performances, please attach a note to your booking. We’ll do all that we can to accommodate you. See p48 for more accessibility information.
Drop your form in with payment during Box Office hours (see p46 for opening times).
HOW WE PROCESS YOUR BOOKING All subscriptions are processed in order of receipt. Subscribe online and your tickets will be processed immediately. Online subscriptions are available from the time of season launch. SEAT AVAILABILITY We always seat our patrons in the very best available seats; your allocations depend on when we receive your subscription, the popularity of the production and the day of the week. The seating plan for the Upstairs Theatre is on our website: belvoir.com.au
Online at belvoir.com.au/subscribe – carefully complete all the relevant fields of your online subscription, double check, then submit. You’ll receive an email confirmation.
Mail your completed hard copy form and cheque (payable to Belvoir) or credit card details to: 2016 Season – Belvoir 18 Belvoir Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
Please double check you’ve fully completed all sections of your booking form before submitting it. This is really important. Don’t forget to include proof if you are purchasing Senior, Concession or 30-Down subscriptions.
Theatre is a gift SUBSCRIPTION GIFT CERTIFICATES A Belvoir subscription makes a most excellent present. And if you have a young person in your life, the gift of regularly attending live theatre can really be a life-changing experience. Call our Box Office or buy online at belvoir.com.au/gifts PRICELESS DONATIONS Did you know the price you pay covers less than half of the true cost of your seat? A tax-deductible donation can be made on your booking form or with your online subscription. Also, we urge you to support the Actors’ Benevolent Fund charity by donating an additional 50c per ticket when you fill out your form. Visit actorsbenevolentfund.org.au for info. 45
general information Belvoir St Theatre 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Subscriptions 02 8396 6290 Box Office 02 9699 3444 Box Office email mail@belvoir.com.au Box Office fax 02 9698 3688 Administration 02 9698 3344 Admin fax 02 9319 3165 belvoir.com.au
Box Office hours Monday 9.30am – 6pm Tuesday 9.30am – 6.30pm Wednesday to Friday 9.30am – 8pm Saturday 11.30am – 8pm Sunday 2.30pm – 5pm Please note these hours may change during non-performance periods and on public holidays. Phone bookings close one hour prior to performance times. TWO BOX OFFICE LOCATIONS Belvoir St Theatre (25 Belvoir St) and our administration warehouse (18 Belvoir St). The Box Office is open at either one of these locations depending on the day and time – please check via phone or website, or the sign outside the theatre. GET HOME EARLY If you like to be home before dark there are Upstairs Theatre performances on Saturdays at 2pm. If you want to see a show and be home earlier in the evening there are shows at 6.30pm on Tuesdays, and 5pm on Sundays. In 2016 our show times vary so please check with Box Office.
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Performance times UPSTAIRS THEATRE Tuesday 6.30pm (Tuesday previews 8pm) Wednesday to Friday 8pm Saturday 2pm & 8pm Sunday 5pm (Sunday previews 6.30pm) Variances for Upstairs Theatre shows: Jasper Jones Wednesday evenings – 6.30pm (except Opening Night 8pm) The Events 21 & 28 May – 7pm Twelfth Night Wednesday evenings – 6.30pm Girl Asleep Wednesday evenings – 6.30pm DOWNSTAIRS & IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD The Tribe Tues – Thurs: 7.30pm Friday – Sat: 7pm & 8.30pm Sunday: 7pm Title and Deed Tues: 7pm Wed – Sat: 8.15pm Sat matinee: 2.15pm Sun: 5.15pm Hannah Gadsby Friday: 10pm Saturday: 9pm Sunday: 3pm & 7pm Ruby’s Wish Tuesday – Thursday: 11am & 2pm (also 6.30pm on 21 Sept) Friday: 6.30pm (also 2pm on 30 Sept & 7 Oct) Saturday: 2.15pm & 6.30pm Sunday: 2.15pm & 5.15pm
GENERAL INFORMATION Co
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BELVOIR OFFICE St
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Holt St
CENTRAL STATION
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BELVOIR ST THEATRE
Location and transport
Eating and drinking
We are centrally located in Surry Hills and close to a lot of major public transport. Call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info
The Soup Stone is our resident caterer and provides delicious hot and cold meals from 90 minutes prior to each performance at Belvoir St Theatre. You can also pre-order your meals online via the production page of each show. We also have several restaurant partners in Surry Hills who we recommend for pre- and post-show dining and drinks. Visit our website for our theatre menu and wine lists, plus links to our partners: belvoir.com.au/foodanddrink
PARKING There is NO onsite parking, and limited timed parking is available on the streets around the theatre. Secure Parking on Holt St is the closest parking station to Belvoir. TRAINS We’re a five-minute walk from the Devonshire St/Chalmers St exit of Central Station. BUSES Buses travel along Chalmers St, Elizabeth St and Cleveland St. CYCLING There are bike racks right outside the theatre. Sydney Cycleways and Bicycle NSW have cycling route maps on their websites.
Unwaged Performances We invite unwaged members of the community to attend a free-of-charge 2pm Thursday matinee performance of each Upstairs production in our season. Patrons must hold an eligible Pensioner, Health Care Card, Veterans’ Affairs Card, MEAA or Equity Card to claim a complimentary ticket. Seniors and Seniors Health Cards are not valid for these performances. Visit our Box Office in person from 12 noon on the day of the performance – see the calendar on pp54–55 for dates. Full info is available at belvoir.com.au/unwagedprogram 47
Accessibility
Programs
We cater for a range of accessibility needs. Belvoir St Theatre has lift access to the foyer and theatre, and a hearing loop in the Upstairs Theatre (E–J rows, centre). In conjunction with Vision Australia we provide audiodescribed performances. For hearingimpaired patrons we provide a mobile device captioned service. You need to reserve headsets and iPods in advance with our Box Office so please contact us for all your accessibility needs when booking. More info: belvoir.com.au/access
Theatre is an ephemeral thing – and once it’s over all you have left to remember it is your program! Preorder them at a discounted price when you subscribe. You can also buy programs over the counter at the Box Office and the Hal Bar. All come with biographies, headshots, rehearsal photos, writer and director notes and other great content. Some have the full script included too. Back issues are available online at belvoir.com.au/publications
Note: The Tribe is performed in local backyards, so if you have mobility requirements please let us know when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. CAPTIONED (CAP) & AUDIO-DESCRIBED (AD) PERFORMANCES All are on select Saturdays at 2pm. The Blind Giant is Dancing CAP 5 March / AD 12 March The Great Fire CAP 23 April / AD 30 April The Drover’s Wife CAP 8 October / AD 15 October Faith Healer CAP 5 November
Mobile phones Best used when you’re not watching a show! Please respect our actors and your fellow patrons by checking you’ve turned your mobile off completely before entering the theatre.
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We like to warn you… Some of our productions may contain strong language, nudity, violence, smoking, strobe lighting, haze or other things you may find confronting or uncomfortable. If you are concerned about any of these please ask our Box Office staff about content when booking.
Be part of our community Stay connected with us on a daily basis – we’re active on social media and would love you to be part of our online community. Sign up to our Belvoir e-news and we’ll send you our monthly e-newsletter plus special offers and other great stuff. /belvoirst @belvoirst @belvoirst
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tickets (non-subscription) General release tickets for each show go on sale at Belvoir throughout the year as the shows approach. Onsale dates are on each production’s page on our website. The grid below shows the non-subscription ticket prices. Ticket prices can be dynamically adjusted, either up or down, based on real-time market demand, and without notice.
Remember: if you are a subscriber, you are entitled to purchase additional tickets at a discounted price for all Belvoir performances, so you can bring along family and friends. And when tickets go on general sale throughout the year, as a subscriber you can purchase them one week before nonsubscribers.
Please contact Box Office for up-to-date prices as each show goes on sale.
Upstairs
Downstairs & in the Neighbourhood
Full Price
$72
$48
Subscriber Discounted Mates Rates
$67
$45
Seniors*/Industry**/Groups (10 or more)
$62
$42
Concession†
$49
$38
30-Down
$47
$32
$40
$30
$37
$25
II
Previews Student Saver
II
* Seniors prices are available with an eligible Australian Government-issued Seniors Card. ** Industry prices are available to members of Actors Equity (MEAA), AFI, ASMA, ASDA, ARDA, ACTT, Australian Academy of Dramatic Arts, Actors Centre, Performance Space, Australian Writers’ Guild, Artshub and the NSW Writers’ Centre. † Concession prices are available with a full-time student card, all Centrelink Pensioner concession cards and Veterans’ Affairs Cards. II
30-Down and Student Saver prices are available for Previews, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday matinee, Saturday evening. To claim any concessions you must provide proof. Please note: transaction fees may apply and prices may be subject to change. Ticket prices may also vary when our productions play at other venues.
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Supporting the presentation of The Drover’s Wife and Title and Deed
In 2016 the Foundation will support The Drover’s Wife and Title and Deed.
The Balnaves Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation that was established in 2006 by Neil Balnaves AO to provide support to charitable enterprises across Australia. It supports eligible organisations that aim to create a better Australia through education, medicine and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged and Indigenous communities.
In addition, 2016 represents the fifth year of the annual Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award – a $20,000 award comprising $7,500 prize money and a $12,500 commission for a new play.
The Balnaves Foundation has been funding Belvoir’s Indigenous theatre program since 2011. Each year the Foundation provides the financial underpinning for Belvoir to present two Indigenous works. A range of access programs is attached to the productions, including an unwaged performance and schools matinees. Showing its commitment to Indigenous work at Belvoir, The Balnaves Foundation has supported our productions of Jack Charles vs The Crown, Windmill Baby, Beautiful One Day, Don’t Take Your Love to Town, The Cake Man, Coranderrk, 20 Questions, Brothers Wreck, Radiance and Kill the Messenger.
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Belvoir has a long history of working with Indigenous artists, including writers, directors, designers and actors, and of portraying unique Indigenous stories. Under Artistic Director Eamon Flack we continue our commitment to presenting significant Indigenous works and engaging Indigenous artists at Belvoir in both our Upstairs and Downstairs Theatres. Belvoir extends our warmest thanks to The Balnaves Foundation for its ongoing support.
SUPPORT US
... and we’ll support you, young and old
Our theatrical forefathers, the Ancient Greeks, valued the arts as benefitting humanity in ongoing and profound ways. Indeed, the word philanthropy was first coined by Aeschylus in his play Prometheus Bound, written in the 5th century BC. He described Prometheus’ character as ‘humanity loving’ (philanthropos tropos); later Plato went on to use the term in his Dialogues too. The Ancient Greeks practised philanthropy and recognised its intrinsic value in producing a flourishing theatrical culture. Seven centuries later that’s just the thing we’re doing at Belvoir: making art and asking people who love it to support us. It’s as simple and profound (and ancient) as that. Whether you’re young, old or somewhere in between, we’re making work that we want you to be part of – to watch, to listen to, to respond to, and to be moved by. Our donors really know the value of the work we produce at Belvoir. Many of our subscribers are also donors – they understand and support the enormous amount of effort that goes beyond what you see on stage. Philanthropic donations to Belvoir support crucial work and development activities around: ★ Reaching a huge number of young people both in the city and in regional areas ★ Script and creative development, so our local writers and artists are supported and the work you see is at its best
★ Indigenous work and Indigenous resident artists ★ International touring, so we can take our productions to the world and be part of a global theatrical community.
We’re committed to nurturing the next generation of theatre-goers through our Education program. Around 10,000 students across the state experience Belvoir’s work every year through performances, workshops and programs like our youth-at-risk initiative. I donate because I believe in the transformative power of theatre, I feel part of the Belvoir family and it’s the best night out at the theatre in town! Hilary Linstead, Chair’s Group donor It’s fantastic to see new and innovative works and to know that your donation has helped make it available to young people and others who would not normally go to the theatre. Stephanie Lee, B Keeper You can support our activities at Belvoir by donating with your subscription, or at any time throughout the year. Every dollar means the world to us. We want this thing called theatre, this thing the Ancient Greeks knew was a powerful and profound and ageless artform, to inspire those around us then live on for centuries long after we’re all gone. For more information please contact: development@belvoir.com.au; 02 8396 6209; or visit belvoir.com.au/support Thank you.
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNERS
MAJOR SPONSORS
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
KEY SUPPORTER Indigenous theatre at Belvoir supported by The Balnaves Foundation
BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION
TOURING FUND
Mark Carnegie and Jessica Block
EVENT SPONSORS
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
YOUTH & EDUCATION SUPPORTERS
TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS
SUPPORTERS
Copyright Agency Ltd
Gandevia Foundation
Coca-Cola Australia Foundation
Picket Studio
The Greatorex Foundation
Thomas Creative
Vincent Fairfax Family Crown Resorts Foundation Foundation
Time Out Australia
For more information on partnership opportunities please contact our Development team on 02 9698 3344 or email development@belvoir.com.au Correct at time of printing.
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THANK YOU Our production partners MAKEbeLIVE Productions, Malthouse Theatre, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Stuck Pigs Squealing, Sydney Festival, Token Events, Urban Theatre Projects, Windmill Theatre
Back at the Dojo has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. Many thanks to Donmar Warehouse and the Actors Touring Company for assistance with Faith Healer and The Events.
Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the 2016 Season, the book and the launch:
Design, Vini, Chad Weston, Matthew Whittet, Charles Wu, Zahli, Zeus International Martial Arts Academy.
121BC cantina & enoteca, Sarah Armanious, Neil Armfield, Holly Austin, Jimi Bani, Callista Barritt, Dave Beeman, Belvoir staff, Brett Boardman, Dane Browne, Peter Carroll, Cellarmasters, City of Sydney, Catherine Cranston, Devonshire St Quaker Meeting House, Tom Dundas, East Sydney Private Hospital, everyone who came to the cover photo shoots, Eamon Farren, Colin Friels, Elizabeth Gadsby, Sandy Gore, Hunter Valley Stays, Clara Iaccarino, Dan Katz, Catherine McClements, Amber McMahon, Natsuko Mineghishi, Geoff Morrell, Alan Moyle, Luke Mullins, MoVida, Ralph Myers & Lucky Jim, Office of Environment & Heritage, One World Choral, Opera Australia, Picket Studio, Genevieve Picot, Costa Prasoulas, Leah Purcell, Lasarus Ratuere, Matilda Ridgeway, Jenny Roberts, Greg & Chantal Roger, Nikki Shiels, Kate Smith & Bear, Dan Spielman, Yael Stone, Jo Turner, The Devonshire, Time Out, Vampt Vintage
Special thank-you to the very excellent Alphabet Studio and Brett Boardman. Also huge thanks to all Belvoir staff, especially the Marketing team. Belvoir is proud to be a member of the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) Design Alphabet Studio Photography All images by Brett Boardman except pp28–29 by Catherine Cranston and pp30–31 by Alan Moyle Printer Special T Print This book is crafted from Australianmade paper that is PEFC certified and manufactured in a facility with ISO 14001 EMS certification.
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2016 SEASON
UPSTAIRS THEATRE
Performance times UPSTAIRS THEATRE Tuesday 6.30pm* ı Wednesday to Friday 8pm Saturday 2pm & 8pm ı Sunday 5pm** See p46 for some variations to regular times * Tuesday previews are at 8pm ı ** Sunday previews are at 6:30pm
JANUARY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 FEBRUARY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 MARCH M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 APRIL M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MAY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
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Jasper Jones
2 JAN – 7 FEB Previews (bookable) 2, 3, 5 January Opening night (invitation only) 6 January Unwaged performance 28 January Sunday Forum 7 February
The Blind Giant is Dancing 13 FEB – 20 MAR Previews (bookable) 13, 14, 16 February Opening night (invitation only) 17 February Unwaged performance 25 February Captioned performance 5 March Audio-described performance 12 March Sunday Forum 20 March
The Great Fire 2 APR – 8 MAY Previews (bookable) 2, 3, 5 April Opening night (invitation only) 6 April Unwaged performance 21 April Captioned performance 23 April Audio-described performance 30 April Sunday Forum 8 May
The Events 12 MAY – 12 JUN Previews (bookable) 12, 13 May Opening night (invitation only) 14 May Unwaged performance 9 June Sunday Forum 12 June
JUNE M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JULY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 AUGUST M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NOVEMBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 DECEMBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Back at the Dojo
18 JUN – 17 JUL Previews (bookable) 18, 19, 21 June Opening night (invitation only) 22 June Unwaged performance 14 July Sunday Forum 17 July
Twelfth Night
23 JUL – 4 SEP Previews (bookable) 23, 24, 26 July Opening night (invitation only) 27 July Unwaged performance 1 September Sunday Forum 4 September
The Drover’s Wife
17 SEP – 16 OCT Previews (bookable) 17, 18, 20 September Opening night (invitation only) 21 September Unwaged performance 6 October Captioned performance 8 October Audio-described performance 15 October Sunday Forum 16 October
Faith Healer
22 OCT – 27 NOV Previews (bookable) 22, 23, 25 October Opening night (invitation only) 26 October Captioned performance 5 November Unwaged performance 24 November Sunday Forum 27 November
Girl Asleep
2 DEC – 24 DEC Previews (bookable) 2, 3 December Opening night (invitation only) 4 December Sunday Forum 18 December Unwaged performance 22 December
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DOWNSTAIRS AND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Performance times See p46 as times vary JANUARY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 FEBRUARY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 MAY M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NOVEMBER M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 56
The Tribe
19 JAN – 7 FEB Preview (bookable) 19 January Opening night (invitation only) 20 January
Hannah Gadsby
20 MAY – 22 MAY
Ruby’s Wish
21 SEP – 9 OCT Schools performances only 22, 23 September Opening night (invitation only) 23 September
Title and Deed
13 OCT – 6 NOV Previews (bookable) 13, 14 October Opening night (invitation only) 15 October
belvoir.com.au /belvoirst @belvoirst @belvoirst 18 & 25 Belvoir St Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia Administration +61(2) 9698 3344 Subscriptions +61(2) 8396 6290 Box Office +61(2) 9699 3444 Box Office email mail@belvoir.com.au Box Office fax +61(2) 9698 3688 Front & back cover photographs by Brett Boardman
BACK COVER Left to right, back row to front row: Robert Dunn treasured subscriber & donor H Denise Dunn treasured subscriber & donor H Stephen Curtis designer H Kate Jones subscriber H Caitlin Porter senior theatre technician H Will Jacobs technical manager H Mitchell Butel actor & board member H Eamon Flack artistic director H Ian Catt treasured subscriber & neighbour H Gail Nason treasured subscriber & neighbour H Nathan Bennett deputy executive director H Frank Barnes treasured subscriber & donor H David Libter treasured subscriber & donor H Mosh Riakos treasured subscriber H Jorja Scheibe work experience H Wolf Krueger treasured subscriber & donor H Liz Tomkinson philanthropy manager H Kirsty Ross treasured subscriber & donor H Terry Anson treasured subscriber & donor H Margaret Harte treasured subscriber & donor H Gwen Logan treasured subscriber H Patricia Tilley subscriber H Gabrielle Bonney publications manager H Jason Lee subscriptions manager H Hugh O’Keefe original shareholder H Tanya Ginori-Cairns box office manager H Jan S. Goldfeder IT and operations H Terence Clarke original shareholder & ex-board member H Luke Cowling associate producer H Brenna Hobson executive director H Robyn Edwards treasured subscriber & teacher H Anthea Williams associate director – literary H Miles Buccoliero neighbour H Raph Watson neighbour H Louis Buccoliero neighbour H Jonathan Phillips acting company accountant H Lyn Pierse original shareholder & theatresports national coach H Aimee Timmins development coordinator H Kerstin Buccoliero neighbour & audience member H John Woodland artistic administrator H