Ensemble Theatre announces 2020 Season

Ensemble Black Cockatoo - photo by Christian TrinderFrom the entertaining to the enlightening, the spine-chilling to the side-splitting, the incisive to the inspiring, Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2020 season featuring forty of Australia’s most talented actors in eleven plays of firsts and lasts, classics and comedies including eight new works, seven brilliant comedies, three much-loved classics plus a collaboration for the first time with Sydney Festival.

Black Cockatoo
4 January – 9 February
Inspired by the true story of legendary First Nations cricketer Johnny Mullagh and Australia’s first ever international sporting team, this is not just about cricket, this is a story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility. Directed by Wesley Enoch. World Premiere!

Crunch Time
14 February – 9 April
Sparkling with razor sharp wit and humour, Crunch Time tackles pertinent social issues head-on in this tale of family and duty. Don’t miss Australian theatre heavy-weight David Williamson’s final play before retirement. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. World Premiere!

A Broadcast Coup
17 April – 23 May
Tune into a buzzing new comedy pulling the plug on an antiquated media industry. The team behind the sell-out success of The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race reunite to send ripples through the airwaves and spark heated debate. Directed by Melanie Tait. World Premiere!

Kenny
29 May – 4 July
Meet Kenny, a fearless Aussie plumber and eternal optimist who looks for the best in every situation – even when his job is literally down the toilet. The hilarious Ben Wood (The Big Time) steps into overalls and pulls on the rubber gloves for Steve Rodgers’ quirky adaptation of the much-loved Australian film from the Jacobson Brothers. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. World Premiere!

Honour
9 June – 4 July
Explore the depths of human frailty and our capacity to love in Joanna Murray-Smith’s modern Australian classic. Cracks appear in a seemingly unbreakable marriage when a tenacious young writer enters the scene, bringing to light intergenerational differences and a wrenchingly honest look at sex and relationships. Directed by Kate Champion.

The Caretaker
10 July – 8 August
Discover a literary masterpiece which delves into the turbulent relationships between a homeless man and two polar opposite brothers. Harold Pinter cranks up the tension, piles on the laughs and teases out the emotional foibles of three lonely men in this compelling absurdist theatrical event. Directed by Iain Sinclair.

The Woman in Black
14 August – 12 September
Prepare for scares in a gripping ghost story perfect for Ensemble’s intimate stage. This spine-chiller by Susan Hill and Stephen Mallatrat is one of the longest running plays in West End history – will have you watching through your fingers. Directed by Mark Kilmurry.

Killing Katie: Confessions of a Book Club
18 September – 24 October
When former Queen Bee of the book club, Robyn, publishes her first novel, the truth about the death of her nemesis, Katie, begins to unravel. Female friendships are tested in Tracey Trinder’s laugh-out-loud, brutally honest, new comedy. Directed by Francesca Savige.

Unqualified 2: Still Unqualified
29 September – 24 October
Straight talking Joanne and perennially optimistic Felicity are back and Still Unqualified in this sequel to Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore’s 2018’s hilarious hit comedy. The fabulous all-female cast and creative team reunite for another joyous celebration of friendship against the odds. Directed by Janine Watson. World Premiere!

Outdated
30 October – 21 November
Diving back into the dating pool in your 40’s is a scary prospect. Mark Kilmurry’s  bittersweet comedy navigates the highs and lows of modern dating. Will Matt and Olivia take the plunge and swipe right? Or is it left…? Directed by Mark Kilmurry. World Premiere!

A Christmas Carol
27 November – 9 January
John Bell directs and plays the iconic role of penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge in Hilary Bell’s delightful reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Christmas spirits are conjured up with music and pantomime in this magical event. World Premiere!

Subscription packages are now available. Single tickets go on sale Monday 14 October 2019. For more information, visit: www.ensemble.com.au for details.

Image: Black Cockatoo – photo by Christian Trinder