Sydney Theatre Co Presents LEVIATHAN, Kicks Off Sept 18-19 At Hurstville Entertainment Centre

Leviathan Adapted and directed by Stefo NantsouBased on the book Leviathan - The Unauthorized Biography of Sydney by John Birmingham Sydney Theatre Company, together with Hurstville and Liverpool City Councils, is delighted toannounce a partnership that will bring a new Australian production to Sydney's stages.

Leviathanbridges the artistic worlds of the inner city and the south west, and plunges itself into our sea-dwelling city's colourful history.

STC Resident Director, Stefo Nantsou, has adapted John Birmingham's award-winning novel, Leviathan: The Unauthorised Biography of Sydney, into a multi-faceted, collaborative theatrepiece showcasing Sydney Theatre Company's permanent ensemble of actors, The Residents,alongside a large and diverse group of Sydney's community performance groups.

The work will come to life at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre on 18 and 19 September, and Liverpool's Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on 24 September, before culminating in a special performance at Sydney Theatre Company's Open Day at The Wharf, Walsh Bay, in December 2010.

Leviathan is a sprawling non-fictional examination of Sydney, blending factual recreations of early penal settlement, brutal accounts of racism and abuse, and powerful stories of Sydney'smigrant history.

Adaptor and Director Stefo Nantsou, a Macedonian Australian, has worked incollaboration with both professional and non-professional performers from all backgrounds tocreate this unique, large-scale production.

Sydney Theatre Company Co-Artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett said: "Birmingham's book is rich with drama, comedy, characters and events which leap off the page and are ripe for theatrical adaptation.

We're thrilled Sydney Theatre Company is expanding its outreach within our city and collaborating with many artists who represent our thrivingmulticultural performance communities."The Residents will be performing with members of the Lucy Dance School, Georges River College, Abhinay School of Performing Arts, Arkana College, Macedonian Australian Theatre, KogarahConcert Band, Chinese virtuoso musician Manija Luo, The Bosnian School, Liverpool City BrassBand, Good Samaritan College and more.

Stefo Nantsou, who is also artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Zeal Theatre, has beenworking as an actor, writer and director for over 30 years, specialising in creating originalproductions for theatres, festivals and schools. His plays have been translated and produced inover 20 countries including the National Theatre in London, Muz Theater in Amsterdam, the NewVictory Theater in New York and Kolibri Theatre in Budapest.

This project is supported by the STC Foundation.

Sydney Theatre Company acknowledges thegenerous support of The Resident Donors.

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