Following the tremendous success of her adaptation of Ruth Park’s The Harp in the South in 2018, Kate Mulvany will work her magic on Friedrich Schiller’s Mary Stuart in a world premiere season at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from 9 February 2019.
Mary Stuart tells the story of one of history’s great rivalries. Two powerful women of very different natures. Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England – cousins but not friends. Following an uprising, Mary has fled Scotland only to be imprisoned in England.
Elizabeth feels threatened – Mary is younger, more beloved, and with her own claim to the throne. The question now is whether to release her or execute her. It’s a battlefield of suspicion, spies and subterfuge. An empire is at stake. Hearts will be broken. And a queen’s life hangs in the balance.
“Mary Stuart has been on my radar for a few years now,” says Mulvany. “The relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots is a captivating exploration of power, fear, guilt and revenge – but has mostly only been adapted by men, with a male-driven narrative. I wanted to pull apart this play and explore it from the eyes, hearts and minds of the women themselves.”
Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Director Lee Lewis was last at STC in 2017 with her multi award-winning production of The Bleeding Tree. Along with Lewis directing, Mulvany is thrilled to be working with a team of predominantly female creatives, including Set Designer Elizabeth Gadsby, Costume Designer Mel Page and Assistant Director Madeleine Humphreys.
“Despite the subject matter, this story has belonged to men for a long time. And it was important to us that we had a team that could delve deep into the authentic female consciences of Elizabeth and Mary. With Caroline Brazier and Helen Thomson we have two of Australia’s finest actors, playing two of history’s most fascinating characters – I’m a very lucky playwright!”
Director: Lee Lewis Featuring: Fayssal Bazzi, Caroline Brazier, Simon Burke, Peter Carroll, Tony Cogin, Andrew McFarlane, Rahel Romahn, Helen Thomson, Matthew Whittet, Darcey Wilson Set Designer: Elizabeth Gadsby Costume Designer: Mel Page Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson Composer & Sound Designer: Max Lyandvert Assistant Director: Madeleine Humphreys Choreographer: John O’Connell Fight Director: Nigel Poulton
Mary Stuart
Roslyn Packer Theatre, Hickson Road Walsh Bay (Sydney)
Season: 9 February – 2 March 2019
Information and Bookings: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Image: Helen Thomson and Caroline Brazier star in Mary Stuart – photo by Rene Vaile