In a powerful reclaiming of history, this May, Theatre Works invites audiences to a vital Australian work, Lazarus, by acclaimed playwright John Harding.
Lazarus tells the extraordinary true story of Larry Walsh; a Taungurung Elder, activist, and storyteller. The play traces his life from 1955 – through his removal from his mother, his time in state institutions, and his eventual journey toward cultural reclamation and leadership.
Rich with evocative imagery and with more than 20 characters brought to life by an exceptional cast, Lazarus is helmed by multi-award-winning Director Kamarra Bell-Wykes, and is a powerful celebration of culture, resilience, and the unbreakable ties between mother and child, community and Country.
“This one asks something different of our audiences,” says Theatre Works’ Executive Director Dianne Toulson. “A lot of work we present is about big ideas, new writing, and pushing form, and that’s still true here, but Lazarus carries a different kind of weight.”
“It’s not trying to entertain in the traditional sense, it asks you to sit with it. I think what really sets it apart is that it’s grounded in a real story and a living cultural con text. We’re also staging this in the main Theatre Works space, which gives us the opportunity to fully realise the design.”
“There’s scope here for a rich integration of video, sound, and staging, but always in service of the story, not overwhelming it. It’s a different kind of theatre experience, one that stays with you,” says Toulson.
With an ensemble led by First Nations artists Sermsah Bin Saad, Teresa Moore, Nathan Wright, and Riley Warner, Director Kamarra Bell-Wykes is bringing a bold new interpretation of Lazarus to the Theatre Works stage.
An electric reimagining of the work presented in the 2025 Yirramboi Festival, this latest sea son is also being spotlit for its cultural and educational significance, and is a featured work on the 2026 VCE Drama Playlist.
Director: Kamarra Bell-Wykes | Featuring: Sermsah Bin Saad, Teresa Moore, Nathan Wright, Riley Warner | Projection & Visual Design: Cobie Orger | Composer & Sound Design: Todd Bennett | Set & Costume Design: Justin Greene | Stage Managers: Clara Camm, Mahi Modouris | Writer: John Harding
Lazarus
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 23 May – 6 June 2026 (previews: 21 & 22 may)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Nathan Wright, Teresa Moore, Sermsah Bin Saad, and Riley Warner – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright