With everything from fresh new comedy, insightful dramas, musical influences and re-imagined classics, Ensemble Theatre has unboxed its inspirational and sensational 2024 season.
Next year sees another ten-play season take to the stage, featuring stellar cast names and brilliant playwrights, with a continued focus on female writing and directing.
“In 2024, we’re thrilled to present ten exceptional plays and one very special event,” said Ensemble Artistic Director, Mark Kilmurry.
“Fresh out of the box we have four world premieres from Ensemble heavyweights: David Williamson couldn’t resist picking up his pen again to give us The Great Divide and Melanie Tait unpacks one of the first modern day royal scandals in The Queen’s Nanny.”
“The pressures of politics rip apart a friendship in Sam O’Sullivan’s McGuffin Park and Joanna Murray-Smith brings a fresh perspective to Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. I hope to see you at the theatre in 2024 for another year of inspiring stories,” said Kilmurry.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE 2024 SEASON:
ALONE IT STANDS:
26 January – 2 March
Based on a real-life rugby match, John Breen’s crowd pleaser follows the amateur Munster rugby team taking on the legendary All Blacks. Featuring the on-stage talents of Ray Chong Nee, Alex Kind and Anthony Taufa, director Janine Watson presents this feel-good story which will have sports fans and theatre fans cheering for the ultimate underdogs.
THE GREAT DIVIDE:
8 March – 27 April
Stepping out of retirement for this Ensemble world premiere, David Williamson takes audiences to the turquoise waters and golden sands of Wallis Heads, where ambitious plans to put the town on the tourist map sparks a bitter rivalry. The powerhouse team of David Williamson, Mark Kilmurry, Georgie Parker and Kate Raison reunite to bring this sharp comedy tackling wealth inequality and human greed.
SWITZERLAND:
3 May – 8 June
This award-winning play follows bestselling crime author Patricia Highsmith (Toni Scanlan) as she shelters away from the world in her beloved cabin in the Swiss Alps. Surrounded only her books and cats, Patricia’s peace is disturbed when an intriguing young man from her publisher’s office knocks on the door. Directed by Shaun Rennie, and featuring Toni Scanlan, renowned Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith weaves a web of wit and mystery in this gripping psychological thriller that will leave your blood pumping.
ULSTER AMERICAN:
13 May – 8 June
Pushing the limits on identity politics, Ulster American is a savage satire exposing the fragile egos and abuses of power that run rampant in Hollywood. Directed by Shane Anthony, Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Brian Meegan and Jeremy Waters reunite after Outhouse Theatre Co’s critically acclaimed 2018 season in this acerbic and brutally hilarious play by David Ireland.
MASTER CLASS:
14 June – 20 July
Inspired by the turbulent life of opera singer Maria Callas, Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning play, Master Class, is an explosive ode to the incomparable talents of one of the world’s greatest performers. Brought to life by the dynamic Lucia Mastrantone, and directed by Liesel Badorrek, this show is a whirlwind of unforgettable storytelling, sardonic humour and soaring music sung live on stage by Sydney’s best emerging opera talent including Maria Alfonsine, Damien de Boos-Smith and Ruth Strutt.
UNCLE VANYA:
26 July – 31 August
On a crumbling countryside estate, Uncle Vanya and his niece Sonya work tirelessly to preserve their family’s privileges. Visited only by the local doctor Astrov, it’s a lonely, mundane existence. After the success of A Doll’s House in 2022, Director Mark Kilmurry reunites with celebrated Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith as she breathes new life into Chekhov’s tragicomedy unveiling a hotbed of disillusionment and all-consuming unrequited love. Cast includes Chantelle Jamieson, David Lynch, Yalin Ozucelik, Nicholas Papademetriou and Tim Walter.
THE QUEEN’S NANNY:
6 September – 12 October
Inspired by historical events, the magnificent Melanie Tait returns to Ensemble with The Queen’s Nanny. Marion Crawford adored her job as governess to Princesses Lilibet and Margaret Rose, until she was ostracised without warning, all because of a tell-all memoir. From the creatives behind The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, this hilarious play imagines a series of pivotal moments between two strong spirited women harbouring complicated resentment. Directed by Priscilla Jackman, the cast includes Merridy Eastman and Matthew Backer.
COLDER THAN HERE:
16 September – 12 October
Olivier-award nominated Colder Than Here introduces terminally ill Myra and her eccentric middle-class family. From the brilliant mind of Laura Wade, this ‘anti-sentimental comedy’ is a heart-breaking journey through love, loss and laughter, showing us how to find the light in the darkest of times. Directed by Janine Watson, cast includes Hannah Waterman and Huw Higginson.
MCGUFFIN PARK:
18 October – 23 November
Fresh from the success of Boxing Day BBQ, Sam O’Sullivan returns with the world premiere of McGuffin Park, a hilarious comedy centred around the cut-throat world that is politics and media. McGuffin Park’s local council is thrown into disarray when the mayor unexpectedly resigns just a week before the mid-term election. With cast including Shan-Ree Tan and Eloise Snape, buckle up for a bumpy election ride. Directed by Mark Kilmurry.
THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR:
29 November – 12 January 2025
When a fracture forms in the local choir, a small band of community misfits are pushed out into the cold. Directed by Anna Ledwich, and featuring an all-star cast including Valerie Bader, Elaine Crombie, Genevieve Hegney, Chika Ikogwe and Jay Laga’aia, Aidan Fennessy’s The Heartbreak Choir celebrates the healing power of music, friendship and togetherness in a life-affirming comedy that will raise the Ensemble roof.
SPECIAL EVENT:
TODD MCKENNEY: PETER ALLEN AND ME:
25 June – 10 July
Todd McKenney is back at Ensemble Theatre to celebrate 40 years in showbiz with his dazzling show. Praised for his stellar performance as Peter Allen in the original Australian production of The Boy from Oz, it’s only fitting that Todd returns with a tribute to the legendary entertainer that catapulted his career.
Subscriptions for Ensemble’s 2024 season are now on sale. Tickets for individual shows go on sale on Monday 30 October 2023. For more information, visit: www.ensemble.com.au for details.
Image: Genevieve Hegney, Jay Laga’aia and Valerie Bader to feature in The Heartbreak Choir – photo by Brett Boardman