Weaving a breakneck story of romance, power, and tenacity, Malthouse Theatre will premiere award-winning Australian playwright Suzie Miller’s new play, Anna K, this August.
Anna Kay – a top rating television journalist, mother and wife – is now a news subject herself, and the haters are piling on. After taking a lifetime to build a successful career with integrity, a single decision incurs the wrath of the media and put her life at the mercy of a savage public.
She soon discovers that no amount of credibility makes you impervious to the institutions that maintain the status quo. Truth at all costs, but best stay in your lane.
“Anna K is an interrogation of how women in public roles are attacked by hostile voices intent on silencing them,” said Playwright Suzie Miller.
“Women in high-profile positions are at greater risk of sustaining negative criticism than men in the same positions and also endure violently sexualised online comments and messages intended to intimidate and shame.”
“The gendered nature of these act not only as a force to destroy women at the top of their game, but also act a as threatening warning to other women seeking to occupy similarly high-profile roles in the media, politics and other spaces.”
“While Anna K is inspired by Tolstoy, I am instead interested in a feminist interrogation. Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina focusses on Levin’s need to warn against the passions of women as he seeks to uphold a woman’s domesticity in service of husband and children.”
“Indeed, Anna Karenina’s passionate expression shows her destruction through the gendered shaming critique of society. I wanted to investigate how we still do this to women, and look to a different narrative conclusion,” said Miller.
Miller’s first play Prima Facie premiered at Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney in 2019 and was scheduled to play at Malthouse as part of its 2020 season before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prima Facie has since opened in London’s West End to resounding praise, and stars Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer. The production has recently been confirmed to tour to New York for a season on Broadway.
Directed by Carissa Licciardello and starring Caroline Craig (Underbelly, Blue Heelers), Callan Colley (This Time, Maybe) and Louisa Mignone (Wentworth), Anna K weaves a breakneck story of romance, love, power, and justice. In a world promising equality, why isn’t the fight over?
“Suzie has such a knack for bringing these bold, complex, contemporary women to the stage – she’s really on fire right now – and Anna Karenina is the perfect heroine for her to tackle next,” said Director Carissa Licciardello.
“Alongside an excellent creative team, I’m very excited to work with the much-loved Caroline Craig to bring Anna to life opposite stellar up-and-comer Callan Colley.”
Director: Carissa Licciardello | Featuring: Callan Colley, Caroline Craig, Louisa Mignone | Voice Artists: Brigid Gallacher, Jing-Xuan Chan | Set & Costume Designer: Anna Cordingley | Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson | Sound Designer, Composer & AV Designer: Joe Lui | Stage Manager: Lyndie Li Wan Po | Assistant Stage Manager: Cointha Walkeden | Writer: Suzie Miller
Anna K
Merlyn Theatre – The Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 17 August – 4 September 2022 (previews: 12 – 16 August)
Information and Bookings: www.malthousetheatre.com.au
Image: Caroline Craig stars in Anna K – photo by Kristian Gehradte