One of the monumental plays of the 21st century, Belvoir St Theatre brings to the stage, American playwright Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning tragicomedy, August: Osage County, from 9 November 2024.
Pawhuska, Oklahoma, 2007. Charismatic poet-patriarch Beverly Weston has gone – where, nobody knows. His wife Violet careers downhill into opiate addiction, and the three daughters dutifully return to their childhood home, spouses, children and unfinished business trailing behind. The family’s (almost) together – for the first time in years.
Of course, old wounds have to be dressed, but there are even deeper secrets sitting right there at the table. And what erupts is as uproarious as it is scarifying. This American tragicomedy explores the pain and joy passed from generation to generation, and the vicious parts of ourselves that we try to hide.
“August: Osage County is about a family trying not to tear itself apart. I’m excited to stage it at Belvoir because it’s impossible to stage at Belvoir,” said Belvoir Artistic Director, Eamon Flack.
“The play is written for three storeys, and at Belvoir, you’ve only got one – this means we have to get straight to the play’s heart. Come and see the show because of its incredible cast and towering writing, but also because it’s a great chance to get a bit of an emotional massage.”
Directed by Flack, August: Osage County features a stellar cast of Australia’s finest creatives including Pamela Rabe (The Cherry Orchard), Helen Thomson (TV’s Colin from Accounts), Tamsin Carroll (Into the Woods), and Bert Labonté (STC’s Fences),
The cast of 13 also includes Bee Cruse (NTofP’s Stolen), Amy Mathews (TV’s The Twelve), Johnny Nasser (STC’s A Fool in Love), Rohan Nichol (TV’s Home and Away), Will O’Mahony (Black Swan State Theatre’s Things I Know To Be True), Anna Samson (The Master & Margarita), Greg Stone (HIR) and Esther Williams (TV’s Heartbreak High).
A wild ride from start to finish, this unique staging of Lett’s high-stakes American classic promises to delight and entertain in true Belvoir fashion.
Director: Eamon Flack | Featuring: Tamsin Carroll, Bee Cruse, Bert LaBonté, Amy Mathews, Johnny Nasser, Rohan Nichol, Will O’Mahony, Pamela Rabe, Anna Samson, Greg Stone, Helen Thomson, Esther Williams | Set Designer: Bob Cousins | Costume Designer: Ella Butler | Lighting Designer: Morgan Moroney | Composer & Sound Designer: Rachael Dease | Vocal / Dialect Coach: Laura Farrell | Movement and Fight Director / Intimacy Coordinator: Nigel Poulton | Assistant Director: Guy Simon | Assistant Director: Margaret Thanos | Stage Manager: Luke McGettigan | Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Dilley | Assistant Stage Manager: Sybilla Wajon
August: Osage County
Upstairs Theatre – Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir Street, Surry Hills
Season: 9 November – 15 December 2024
Information and Bookings: www.belvoir.com.au
Image: Bert LaBonté, Pamela Rabe and Helen Thomson to star in August: Osage County (supplied)