Sydney Theatre Company Presents THE FATHER

The Father by French playwright Florian Zeller receives its Australian premiere at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) from 19 August to 21 October. The Molière award-winning play has captivated audiences in Paris, London and New York. A giant of Australian theatre, John Bell will return to the STC stage in the title role for this production which is earmarked as a must-see this year.

A deeply unsettling and profoundly moving mystery, The Father has garnered critical acclaim and a long list of awards. The play won Best Play (2014) in the Molière Awards, France's highest theatrical honour. Its English translation, by renowned writer Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), was The Guardian's pick for Play of the Year in London (2015), and the production was last year nominated for two Tony Awards in New York, including Best Play and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (2016).

The Father is a story of André (John Bell): a proud and intelligent man wrestling with the challenges of old age. Now 80 years old, André was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? Either way, he's still wearing his pyjamas and he can't find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he's losing his mind.

"I must admit when I started reading the script I was baffled by it," says John Bell. "Was it a weird kind of thriller or an exercise in absurdity, I wasn't sure? But once I understood the ingenious device by which the playwright allows us into the mind of André, I was blown away by it. It is by turn challenging, funny, poignant, surprising and full of tenderness."

John Bell is one of the nation's most illustrious theatre personalities and has been a key figure in shaping the nation's theatrical identity for the past 50 years. His unique contribution to national culture has been recognised by the National Trust of Australia who have named him as one of Australia's Living Treasures. Bell was last seen on the STC stage in Uncle Vanya in 2010.

Director Damien Ryan, who has met acclaim leading independent theatre company Sport for Jove, brings his skills to STC for the first time in this co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company. The story is shaped by a strong cast. Anita Hegh plays the devoted daughter Anne, following her role in the STC's critically acclaimed production of Cloud Nine. Marco Chiappi plays Pierre, following his performance earlier this year in STC's Away and Faustina Agolley makes her STC debut in her first major stage role as Laura.

Florian Zeller has been long labelled a name to watch since publishing his first novel in his early 20s. Zeller wrote The Father in 2012 and it is arguably his most successful stage work yet. Since its opening, the playwright has attracted media attention around the globe. The New York Times (US) labelled him "the next playwright to know?" and The Independent (UK) hailed Zeller as "one of the hottest literary talents in France".

Pricing and ticket information:

Box Office: 02 9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au

2017 Season Tickets (packs of 6 plays minimum) on sale now.

A Season Ticket saves at least 20% on full price single tickets as well as offering many other benefits.

Single Tickets

Preview performances $77.

A Reserve: Monday - Thursday performances: Adult $101, Seniors cardholder $92, Concession $81, Under 30 $79, Groups (10+ people) $86.

Friday night & Saturday matinee performances: Adult $102, Seniors cardholder $93, Concession $82, Under 30 $80, Groups (10+ people) $87, Saturday evening $109.

B Reserve: Monday - Thursday performances: Adult & Senior $91, Concession $81, Under 30 $79, Friday night & Saturday matinee performances, Adult & Senior $92, Concession $82, Under 30 $80, Saturday Evening $99.

Suncorp Twenties (tickets for just $20 for each STC performance) become available for The Father from Thursday 17th of August. Suncorp Twenties are released for sale every Thursday at 9am for the following week's performances (Mon to Sat).

Insight events:

Pier Group Lunch: Mon 17 Jul 12pm

Pre-season Briefing: Mon 14 Aug at 6.15pm, Wharf 2 Theatre.

Audi Nights with the Actors: Mon 4 Sep and Mon 18 Sep (post show)

Photo credit: James Green