STC & Barking Gecko Theatre Company to Present STORM BOY

The 2013 production of Colin Thiele's Storm Boy, adapted for the stage by Tom Holloway in a co-production by Sydney Theatre Company (STC) with Perth's Barking Gecko Theatre Company, returns by popular demand to STC (opening 25 April) followed by an extensive tour to Wollongong, Geelong, Canberra, Mandurah and Perth. Directed by John Sheedy, the play follows Storm Boy as he roams the beautiful, savage landscape of wave-beaten shores and windswept dunes, picking up some unlikely friends along the way, among them the enigmatic Fingerbone Bill and a family of orphaned pelicans, including his favourite, Mr Percival.

This theatrical version of Colin Thiele's much loved classic explores Storm Boy's last childhood summer spent with his reclusive dad, Hideaway Tom, in the wild freedom of South Australia's Coorong. Themes of loss, grief and ultimately hope will linger long after the final curtain call.

The title role will be alternated by three young actors; Kai Lewins, Otis Pavlovic and Rory Potter (reprising his role from the first production for the Sydney performances). Also returning from the first season is Peter O'Brien, playing Hideaway Tom. Peter is well known for his many film and television roles including in The Killing Field, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, White Collar Blue, the Underbelly series and Crownies. Joining the cast as Fingerbone Bill is Jimi Bani (Redfern Now, Mabo, The Straits), making his STC main stage debut.

Director: John Sheedy. Set, Costume and Puppet Designer: Michael Scott-Mitchell. Puppetry Director: Peter Wilson. Lighting Design: Damien Cooper. Composer and Sound Designer: Kingsley Reeve. Assistant Director: Scarlet McGlynn.

Cast: Jimi Bani, Kai Lewins, Anthony Mayor, Peter O'Brien, Otis Pavlovic, Rory Potter (Sydney only), Phil Dean Walford

The commissioning patron for Storm Boy is Gretel Packer.

Recommended for ages 6+

Box Office: 02 9250 1777. sydneytheatre.com.au Tickets: $22 - $35 (fees apply)

Suncorp Twenties become available for Storm Boy from 14 April 2015. Suncorp Twenties are released for sale every Tuesday at 9am for the following week's performances (Monday to Sunday).