Eucalyptus at Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Stories in the trees. Weave them out of bark and leaves.

There are more than 800 species of Eucalyptus in Australia. There is only one Ellen Holland.

Ellen’s beauty is famous for miles around. Her overprotective father has created a safe place to protect her from the world: a forest of Eucalypts. Eucalyptus australiana, Eucalyptus marginata, Eucalyptus maidenii … lovingly planted, staked, tied. But is the forest a sanctuary or is Ellen imprisoned?

Eucalyptus is an ageless story of love and longing about a daughter and a father.

Unable to bear the thought of losing Ellen, her father announces a competition. He sets an impossible task: only a man who can name all the trees on his land may marry his daughter.

As suitors cross the world to try their luck, Ellen encounters a stranger amongst her father’s trees: a storyteller with enchanting tales of faraway lands.

Sir Jonathan Mills and Meredith Oakes’ new opera, based on Murray Bail’s beloved novel, has played to rave reviews in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Now it’s Sydney’s turn.

Renowned Australian playwright and director Michael Gow directs this deeply moving production, with designs by Simone Romaniuk. Desiree Frahn, Simon Meadows and Samuel Dundas reprise their roles along with Michael Petruccelli, who won a Green Room Award for his portrayal of ‘The Stranger’.

Language: Performed in English with surtitles

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval