STC to Stage THE SECRET RIVER

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.

Directed by Neil Armfield, The Secret River is a story of two families divided by culture and land. Andrew Bovell (When the Rain Stops Falling, Lantana) adapts Kate Grenville's novel exploring the conflict between transported thief William Thornhill and the Dharug people on whose land by the Hawkesbury River he attempts to settle. Grenville's story confronts the brutality which follows this collision of cultures, and the stage adaptation explores the heartbreaking experiences of both the Dharug people and the European settlers. The staging also gives a voice to the land and the river, and shows how human stories are uniquely shaped by their environment. The Secret River depicts a turning point in the development of Australia; a fork in the road with the chosen path resulting in consequences we all live with today.

Winner of six Helpmann Awards, including Best Play, Best Direction and Best New Australian Work, The Secret River was heralded as "a stunning, shattering piece of theatre that goes to the heart of our history" (Sunday Telegraph).

Cast includes: Joshua Brennan, Shaka Cook, Nathaniel Dean, Jennifer Hagan, Trevor Jamieson, Ningali Lawford-Wolf, Madeleine Madden, Colin Moody, Richard Piper, Rory Potter, Bruce Spence and Matthew Sunderland.

Director: Neil Armfield. Artistic Associate: Stephen Page. Set Designer: Stephen Curtis. Costume Designer: Tess Schofield. Lighting Designer: Mark Howett. Composer: Iain Grandage. Musical Director: Isaac Hayward. Sound Designer: Steve Francis. Dramaturg: Matthew Whittet.

Box Office: 02 9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au. Tickets from $64 (fees apply)