Steve Francis News

There is not a weak link anywhere in this production.

The relationships that bind modern journalism, the justice system and the political establishment come under acerbic scrutiny in Talk, written and directed by Jonathan Biggins. Sydney Theatre Company's latest new play, exploring how the 24 hour news cycle is spurred on by the influence of social media, is at Sydney Opera House from 23 April to 20 May 2017, followed by seasons in Belrose and Canberra.

The first show for Griffin Theatre Company's 2017 season, this Australian work will resonate loudly with all audiences as it looks at the corporate side of the accountability imposed on small to medium Not-for-Profit Arts companies and questions the freedom the industry has to nurture new talent and the propensity for workplace bullying in the corporate landscape.

Joanna Murray-Smith's acclaimed two-hander, Switzerland, comes to MTC with the stunning original cast of Sarah Peirse and Eamon Farren. Under the direction of newly appointed MTC Associate Director Sarah Goodes, this Sydney Theatre Company production opens at Southbank Theatre, the Sumner on Wednesday 21 September.

The Hanging by STC's 2014 Patrick White Fellow, Angela Betzien, receives its world premiere at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) from 28 July to 10 September 2016. STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes and Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby are at the helm following their recent success with STC's Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar. The Hanging features Ashleigh Cummings of Network Ten's Puberty Blues alongside one of Australia's most versatile actors, Genevieve Lemon. Returning to STC following his highly regarded performance in last year's Battle of Waterloo by Kylie Coolwell, Luke Carroll completes the cast.

Sport For Jove is proud to be staging one of Australia's defining works of art on the big stages of the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta and York Theatre in the Seymour Centre. Michael Gow's Away is an extraordinary and moving story of family, community, awakening and forgiveness.

In 2016, Bangarra brings their remarkable triple bill, OUR land people stories to the Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 12 to 20 August 2016.

Beg, borrow, or steal a ticket to this show. It is peerless in the present landscape of Sydney theatre, a razor-sharp scintillation that remarks most precisely on current culture. It is what this reviewer has long been waiting for, and prays becomes a zeitgeist for contemporary Australian narratives and artistic talent to aspire to, nay blossom into. A toast to director Sarah Goodes for a play that held such gravitas and pregnancy, of course to playwright Ayad Akhtar with congratulations on winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and also to Steve Francis for creating a sound design that transcended typicality and brought collective consciousness to this reading room drama.

Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, widely regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest plays, is a ravishing comedy, a literary sleuth story, a touching period romance and a scientific exposition all rolled into one. For Sydney Theatre Company's new production, director Richard Cottrell collaborates again with ARMS AND THE MAN set designer Michael Scott-Mitchell, costume designer Julie Lynch, and lighting designer Damien Cooper. Performances are at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, from 8 February to 2 April 2016.

The Secret River became an instant Australian classic following it's sold out success for the Sydney Theatre Company in 2013. It now returns for an encore season at Roslyn Packer Theatre in February 2016, followed by a tour to Brisbane's QPAC for the Queensland Theatre Company and to the Arts Centre, Melbourne.

Riverside Theatres will present the Griffin Theatre Company's cunning comic thriller, A Rabbit for Kim Jong-il, from November 25th to 28th. Cleverly based on a true story, the production spans two continents and explores betrayal and forgiveness, greed and regret, and features playwright Kit Brookman amongst the talented line-up of actors.

Following recent celebrated performances in The Present and Children of the Sun, Jacqueline McKenzie is back at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) for the whimsical, magical tale of time and transformation, Orlando, Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel. The wild ride spanning more than 300 years also features John Gaden, Matthew Backer, Luisa Hastings Edge, Garth Holcombe, and Anthony Taufa, directed by STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes, at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, from 9 November to 19 December 2015.

Much-loved actor Nadine Garner stars in The Weir, Conor McPherson's beautifully crafted, award-winning play that brings together the great Irish tradition of bar room tales and theatre's power as an arena for storytelling. Proving there's nothing more revealing than the stories we choose to tell, The Weir opens at 8pm tonight 20 August at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio before touring to Hobart for a season at the Theatre Royal.

Much-loved actor Nadine Garner stars in The Weir, Conor McPherson's beautifully crafted, award-winning play that brings together the great Irish tradition of bar room tales and theatre's power as an arena for storytelling. Proving there's nothing more revealing than the stories we choose to tell, The Weir opens at 8pm Thursday 20 August at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio before touring to Hobart for a season at the Theatre Royal.

Deeply moving performances, incredible dancing and authentic storytelling are the trademarks of any Bangarra Dance Theatre season, and none more so than the company's new production, lore.

Sydney Theatre Company and Allens present Battle of Waterloo By Kylie Coolwell. 1 - 27 June 2015. Opening Night: Friday 5 June 2015 at 8.00pm.Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

The Sydney's Theatre community gathered at the 2014 SYDNEY THEATRE AWARDS tonight for the 10th annual celebration of the best of the past year's work as judged by The Sydney Reviewers.

At a star-studded ceremony tonight, the winners of the 2014 Sydney Theatre Awards were announced, with a record 33 Awards presented. Over 340 members of the Sydney theatre community packed the auditorium at Paddington RSL to celebrate the best of Sydney theatre throughout the past calendar year.

Nominations were announced today for the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2014, which will be presented at a gala ceremony on Monday January 19, 2015 at 6pm at the Paddington RSL.

Sydney Theatre Company's latest offering, SWITZERLAND, by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith draws on the life of Texan native Patricia Highsmith, famous for writing psychological thrillers with her most famous character being Tom Ripley, to create an insight into the writer's reclusive life and place her in a mystery of her own.