Sydney Theatre Company Launches Season 2016

Inset pic- Andrew Upton will direct Rose Byrne in David Mamet's classic SPEED-THE-PLOW next November. Pic by Rebecca Lorimer. Featured pic- Andrew Upton in his last year as Artistic Director. Pic by James Green
Inset pic- Andrew Upton will direct Rose Byrne in David Mamet’s classic SPEED-THE-PLOW next November. Pic by Rebecca Lorimer. Featured pic- Andrew Upton in his last year as Artistic Director. Pic by James Green

This week the Sydney Theatre Company (STC)  announced its 2016 season, the last programmed by outgoing Artistic Director Andrew Upton who leaves the company at the end of 2015, handing the reins to his successor, Jonathan Church.

Among the highlights, Rose Byrne, Lisa McCune and John Howard – artists who have not been seen on STC stages for a decade or more – feature alongside a host of STC audience favourites including Robyn Nevin, Sarah Peirse, Helen Thomson, Heather Mitchell, Ryan Corr, Genevieve Lemon and Josh McConville.

Leading directors bringing the shows to life include Neil Armfield, Simon Phillips, Rupert Goold and STC’s own Kip Williams and Sarah Goodes.

Fresh explorations of Stoppard, Coward, Miller, Shakespeare, Feydeau, Nowra and Mamet are showcased together with STC commissions from Sue Smith, Angela Betzien, Declan Greene, The Listies’ Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins, Melissa Bubnic, Michele Lee, Nakkiah Lui, Hannie Rayson and Debra Thomas.

The Secret River, Andrew Bovell’s adaptation of Kate Grenville’s novel, one of the most-loved shows of Upton’s time at the Company, is back.

And there are two remarkable international attractions: the visual theatre company 1927 with the mesmerising Golem and the Almeida’s enthralling West End hit, King Charles III.

As for Andrew himself, he’ll be back towards the end of 2016 to direct Speed-thePlow and for his adaptation of A Flea in Her Ear, directed by Simon Phillips.

At the launch Andrew said, : “This, my last program for the Company, fills me with huge excitement – if a little tinged with melancholy. We have a range of fantastic classics forming the keel of our wonderful ship. Arthur Miller at last, Louis Nowra at last, Noel Coward at last. But also some new Australian works. Sue Smith is back and Angela Betzien joins us on the main stage for the first time.

“It’s a wonderful mix of actors and writers, directors and designers, many of whom our audience will know and love. Others still that they will be thrilled to see for the first time in a long time.

“There are rumours I’m going away next year but the plays on offer are so alluring I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep away. Though it is my last program, it is Jonathan Church’s first, and I think inheriting and overseeing it will be an opportunity for him to get to know the Company and our audience across its full range.

“Jonathon will work with some of our great writers, directors, designers and actors in work showcasing them and the STC at their best. I’m very excited for the Company as Jonathan comes in. I think he will be a great supporter of our vibrant theatre scene nationally and help keep our ship sailing internationally.”

For more details about next years’ program and information  on how to subscribe, visit the Sydney Theatre Company’s official website http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au.