Home | Shows | What's On | 2025 Season | PRIMARY TRUST
Pulitzer Prize-winning and hailed as The New York Times Critic’s Pick, PRIMARY TRUST is an uplifting offbeat comedy about finding the courage to change.
- Playwright Eboni Booth
- Director Darren Yap
- Cast Charles Allen
Peter Kowitz
Angela Mahlatjie
Albert Mwangi - Set & Costume Designer James Browne
- Lighting Designer Verity Hampson
- Composer & Sound Designers Max Lambert
Roger Lock - Video Designer Cameron Smith
- Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
- Movement Coach Tim Dashwood
- Stage Manager Krystelle Quartermain
- Assistant Stage Manager Bernadett Lőrincz
- Costume Supervisor Lily Mateljan
- PRIMARY TRUST is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
- 19 Jun 2025 - 12 Jul 2025
- 90mins (no interval)
- Recommended for ages 14+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Adult themes, occasional coarse language, descriptions of parental loss, frequent alcohol use and theatrical cigarettes in use.
Overview
Pulitzer Prize-winning and hailed as The New York Times Critic’s Pick, PRIMARY TRUST is an uplifting offbeat comedy about finding the courage to change.
Meet Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker who spends his evenings sipping a mai tai (or two) with his best friend Bert. When a sudden layoff shatters his routine, Kenneth is forced to turn the page and embark on a new chapter of self-discovery. Will Bert stick around for the journey?
Experience an honest and funny night of intimate storytelling that will capture your imagination and fill you with hope as Kenneth dares to step into an unfamiliar world.
Calendar
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, submit the Group Booking Form and we’ll be in contact to confirm your tickets.
Arts professionals (MEAA, AWG members, etc.) check your Ensemble Industry Insider eligibility.
For school groups, please complete our 2025 Education Online Booking Form.
Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| TICKET TYPE | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $85 | $90 |
| SENIOR CARD | $82 | $87 |
| PENSIONER | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 20+ | $73 | $78 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
“it will restore your faith in theatre’s elemental storytelling powers” The Observer
“[a] tender, delicately detailed portrait” New York Times, Critic’s Pick
“darn near perfect play” The Daily Beast
Cast & Creatives
Eboni Booth
Eboni Booth is a writer and actor from New York City. Her play PARIS had its premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company. Eboni is a resident playwright at New Dramatists and a recipient of a Steinberg Playwright Award, a Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting, and a John Gassner award. She is a graduate of Juilliard’s playwriting program and the University of Vermont.
Darren Yap
Theatre: Ensemble Theatre: CLYDE’S, THE ONE. Belvoir Street & National Theatre of Parramatta: JESUS WANTS ME FOR A SUNBEAM. C.A.A.P, Sydney Festival: DOUBLE DELICIOUS and SERPENTS TABLE, C.A.T. Productions, Shinjuku Productions Tokyo: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Christine Dunstan Productions: TIM. Griffin Theatre: DIVING FOR PEARLS, LADIES DAY. Hayes Theatre Company: ZOMBIE! THE MUSICAL, MIRACLE CITY. La Boite Theatre: THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Merrigong Theatre & Canberra Theatre Centre (National Tour): LETTERS TO LINDY. Monkey Baa & Sydney Opera House: YONG. Theatre Creation Tokyo: GHOST, THE MUSICAL. Theatre Division & Sydney Opera House: MIRACLE CITY. Artist in Motion: DUBAI WORLD EXPO, THE RED SEA FILM FESTIVAL in Jeddah. Segment Director of the CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 15th ASIAN GAMES and Artistic Festival Consultant for the OPENING OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SINGAPORE. Awards: Sydney Theatre Awards: Best Direction of a Musical (ZOMBIE! THE MUSICAL), Best Production (YONG); Broadway World Sydney Award: Best Director and Best Play (DIVING FOR PEARLS).
Charles Allen
Ensemble Theatre: CLYDE’S. Griffin Theatre: A HOAX. La Boite: A HOAX. Sport for Jove: OF MICE AND MEN. Queensland Theatre: DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Film: MONGOOSE, MISTLETOE RANCH, LAND OF BAD, A PERFECT PAIRING, HOGES: THE PAUL HOGAN STORY, ELVIS, TICKET TO PARADISE, BLUE HORIZON, BLOODY HELL, DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS, ADELE (SHORT). Television: REEF BREAK, GOOD COP BAD COP, NEIGHBOURS, JOE VS CAROLE, EXPANDED MINDS ONLY, SCRAP. Awards: 2023 Best Supporting Actor Nominee Sydney Theatre Award.
Peter Kowitz
Ensemble Theatre: ROUGH JUSTICE, THE DEAL, BLINDED BY THE SUN, TABLE FOR ONE, EMERALD CITY, HAPPINESS, TAKING STEPS. Bell Shakespeare: THE ALCHEMIST, KING LEAR. Griffin Theatre Company: NUCLEUS, BURNING, STRANGE ATTRACTOR, THE FLOATING WORLD. Melbourne Theatre Company: AUSTRALIA DAY, THE WEIR, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, HEISENBERG. Queensland Theatre: FAMILY VAUES, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, ARMS AND THE MAN, GOOD WORKS, THE REMOVALIST, THE DEPARTMENT, THE ONE DAY OF THE YEAR, HAMLET, THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. Railway Street Theatre Company: THE SUMMER OF THE 17th DOLL, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, FALLING ON MY LEFT EAR, AWAY, TWELFTH NIGHT. Sydney Theatre Company: BLACKBIRD (Germany and NZ), TOT MOM, AUSTRALIAN GRAFFITI, AUSTRALIA DAY, TALK. State Theatre Company of South Australia: THE WILD DUCK, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? CREDITORS. GWB: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY (Australia and NZ tour), T.V. Credits: (ABC) CROWNIES, JANET KING (1,2,3) GRASSROOTS (1&2), BODYSURFER, GP, THE LONG WAY HOME. Awards: SYDNEY THEATRE AWARD for best actor in a leading role in a mainstage production. AFI BEST ACTOR in a mini-series. AFI BEST ACTOR in a tele -feature, VARIETY HEART AWARD television actor of the year.
Angela Mahlatjie
PRIMARY TRUST is Angela’s Ensemble Theatre debut. Archipelago Productions: WOMEN OF TROY. Blue Room Theatre: LET ME FINISH, ONCE WE WERE KINGS. Red Ryder Productions: THE WOLVES. Sydney Theatre Company: THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Old Fitz Theatre: HYPERDREAM. Film: I MET A GIRL, H IS FOR HAPPINESS. Television: PIECES OF HER, THE HEIGHTS series 1 & 2.
Albert Mwangi
Ensemble Theatre: MR. BAILEY’S MINDER. Film: PRIMITIVE WAR, MAKE IT LOOK REAL, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, BLUEBACK. Television: TOM SWIFT, BUMP. Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) at National Institute of Dramatic Art.
James Browne
Ensemble Theatre : THE GREAT DIVIDE. Crossroads Live: GREASE. Monkey Baa Theatre Company: YONG, JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE and PETE THE SHEEP. CDP: TURNS, TIM, SPOT THE DOG. David Venn Enterprises: CRUEL INTENTIONS. Griffin Theatre Company: LADIES DAY, DIVING FOR PEARLS. Hayes Theatre Co: CABARET, XANADU. Joint Ventures: MIDNIGHT. Merrigong Theatre Company: LETTERS TO LINDY. Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta: GUARDS AT THE TAJ. Sydney Opera House: VELVET, CIRQUE STRATOSPHERE and BLANC DE BLANC. Theatre Creation Japan: GHOST. Victorian Opera: THE SELFISH GIANT. Awards: Best Costume Design 2020 Broadway World Sydney Awards (Musical HAIR). Nominations in the Australian Production Design Awards, Green Room Awards and Sydney Theatre Awards. Training: Theatre Design at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and Australian Film Television and Radio School in Art Direction.
Verity Hampson
Ensemble Theatre: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR, MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, THE ONE, BABY DOLL, FULLY COMMITTED, THE ANZAC PROJECT. Bell Shakespeare: HENRY V, TWELFTH NIGHT, TITUS ANDRONICUS, JULIUS CAESAR, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Belvoir: JESUS WANTS ME FOR A SUNBEAM, WINYANBOGA YURRINGA, ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, THE DROVER’S WIFE, IVANOV. Griffin: NUCLEUS, BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS, JAILBABY, PONY, GHOSTING THE PARTY, ORANGE THROWER, DOGGED, SUPERHEROES, THE BLEEDING TREE. Hayes Theatre, ZOMBIE! THE MUSICAL, LIZZIE. La Boite: ONE THE BEAR, BLACKROCK, LA VOIX HUMANE. Malthouse: WAKE IN FRIGHT, BLACKIE BLACKIE BROWN, FIERY MAZE (with Sydney Festival). Opera Australia: IL TRITTICO, IDOMENEO (with Victorian Opera), THE MAGIC FLUTE. Sydney Theatre Company: SWEAT, FENCES, CITY OF GOLD (with BSSTC), A RAISIN IN THE SUN, HOME I’M DARLING, 7 STAGES OF GRIEVING, BLACKIE BLACKIE BROWN. Queensland Theatre: DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Awards: Three Sydney Theatre Awards. Two Green Room Awards. Australian Production Design Guild Award. The Mike Walsh Fellowship.
Max Lambert
Composer: Ensemble Theatre: CLYDE’S. Queensland Theatre: BERNHARDT HAMLET, THE FIRST CASUALTY. Sydney Dance Company/The Australian Ballet: TIVOLI. Sydney Dance Company: BERLIN. Sydney Theatre Company/Hayes Theatre Company: MIRACLE CITY, DARLINGHURST NIGHTS. Musical Director/Music Supervisor: Sydney 2000, OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING and CLOSING CEREMONIES. Manchester 2002, COMMONWEALTH GAMES OPENING and CLOSING CEREMONIES. Doha 2006, ASIAN GAMES OPENING CEREMONY. World Expo: 2010 SHANGHAI OPENING CEREMONY. World Expo: 2021 DUBAI OPENING CEREMONY. Musical Director and Performer: ABC PLAYSCHOOL 1991- 2000.
Roger Lock
Guitarist, Composer and Producer: Ensemble Theatre: CLYDE’S. CDP: Australian tours of Maryam Master’s BILLIONAIRE BOY. Griffin/ Merrigong: Katherine Thomson’s DIVING FOR PEARLS. Griffin/ Bell: Justin Fleming’s THE LITERATI and THE MISANTHROPE. Hayes Theatre: DARLINGHURST NIGHTS. Merrigong: Alana Valentine’s LETTERS TO LINDY. Sydney Opera House: MIRACLE CITY. Studio Credits: THE RABBIT & THE TIGER. Band: ROGER VS. THE MAN – album BLACK PEARL.
Cameron Smith
Bangarra Dance Theatre: KULKA. Hayes Theatre Co: PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Legit Theatre Co: FURIOUS MATTRESS. Lost Thought Arts: ONE WHO WANTS TO CROSS. NIDA Production Seasons: DRACULA, ICARUS, WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING, PAGLIACCI, GOD OF CARNAGE, DIANA. Pinchgut Opera: PLEASURES OF VERSAILLES, MEMBRA JESU NOSTRI. Queen Hades Productions: POSH. Ratcatch: THE LINDEN SOLUTION. Soft Tread: WHARF REVUE 2024: THE END OF THE WHARF AS WE KNOW IT, WHARF REVUE 2023: PRIDE IN PREJUDICE, WHARF REVUE 2022: LOOKING FOR ALBANESE. Sydney Dance Co: NEW BREED 2024, INDANCE 2024, NEW BREED 2023, PPY 2023. Sydney Theatre Co: LIFESPAN OF A FACT, STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE. Televison: DESSERT MASTERS, MASTERCHEF.
Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Theatre: Ensemble Theatre: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR, COLDER THAN HERE, MASTERCLASS, ULSTER AMERICAN, SWITZERLAND, ALONE IT STANDS, THE MEMORY OF WATER, SUMMER OF HAROLD, BENEFACTORS, CLYDE’S, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, BOXING DAY BBQ, THE CARETAKER, PHOTOGRAPH 51, BLACK COCKATOO, BABY DOLL. Belvoir Street Theatre: COUNTING AND CRACKING. Crossroads Live: CINDERELLA, 9 TO 5. Darlinghurst Theatre: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, ONCE, A CHORUS LINE. DreamWorks: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Gordon Frost: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, SHREK, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE BODYGUARD, DIRTY DANCING. Griffin Theatre: PONY. GWB Entertainment HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Hayes Theatre: RIDE THE CYCLONE, MURDER FOR TWO. Opera Australia: GUYS AND DOLLS, MISS SAIGON National Theatre of Paramatta: YOGA PLAY, FADE. Paul Dainty: TINA. Television: SHANTARAM, WELLMANIA, YEAR OF, MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS. Film: JUNGLE.
Tim Dashwood
Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEEN’S NANNY, COLDER THAN HERE, ULSTER AMERICAN, ALONE IT STANDS. Australian Theatre for Young People: SAPLINGS, THE DEB, INTERSECTIONS: ARRIVAL, WAR CRIMES. Bell Shakespeare: THE PLAYERS. Belvoir: CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, TELL ME I’M HERE, FANGIRLS, OPENING NIGHT. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Griffin Theatre Company: NUCLEUS, GOLDEN BLOOD, JAILBABY, THE LEWIS TRILOGY. Hayes Theatre Company: PIRATES OF PENZANCE: OR THE SLAVE OF DUTY, ZOMBIE! THE MUSICAL, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, DUBBO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING. National Theatre of Parramatta: KARIM, GIRLS IN BOYS’ CARS. Opera Australia: HAMLET, WEST SIDE STORY, MISS SAIGON, WHITELEY, KROL ROGER, FAUST. shake & stir theatre co.: FOURTEEN, FANTASTIC MR FOX, JANE EYRE. Sydney Theatre Company: PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, SWEAT, STOLEN, A FOOL IN LOVE, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, JULIUS CAESAR, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, NO PAY? NO WAY!, LORD OF THE FLIES. Other: President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors incorporated.
Krystelle Quartermain
Ensemble Theatre: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOKCLUB (Stage Management Secondment). Australian Theatre for Young People: THE DEB. Belvoir Street Theatre: WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN. Force Majeure: GURR ERA OP. Great Big Events: SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE ARENA MUSICAL. Hayes Theatre: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Neglected Musicals: IF/THEN, THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG; PROMISES, PROMISES; THE APPLE TREE. Randwick City Council: COOGEE CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Sydney Festival 2025: SIEGFRIED & ROY: THE UNAUTHORISED OPERA. Sydney Opera House: JAMES GALEA’S BEST TRICK EVER. Sydney Theatre Company: STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE; THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts Technical Theatre and Stage Management 2021.
Bernadett Lőrincz
Assistant Stage Manager; Ensemble Theatre: COLDER THAN HERE. Wardrobe Assistant Stage Manager; Bell Shakespeare: KING LEAR. Stage Manager; Carriageworks: HAMLET CAMP. Production Manager; Festival of Emerging Artists at NIDA: DUPLEXITY, THE SUPERQUICK RESURRECTION OF STALWART THE BUSHRANGER and SWINE RIVER. Production Coordinator; Sydney Theatre Company. Dancer: BONNIE CURTIS PROJECT. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, Technical Theatre and Stage Management course. Contemporary Dance & Choreography: Dózsa György Dance School, Brent Street & Kibbutz International dance journey Program.
Lily Mateljan
Costume Designer/Supervisor: Ensemble Theatre: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, COLDER THAN HERE, THE QUEEN’S NANNY. Belvoir Street Theatre: PROPOISE POOL 25A SEASON. Hayes Theatre Co: PIRATES OF PENZANCE, LITTLE WOMEN. Kings Cross Theatre on Broadway (KXT): RHOMBIOD, GRAIN IN THE BLOOD, THE PIGEONS. Costume Supervisor: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: INFERNO. Pinchgut Opera: DIDO AND AENEAS. National Institute of Dramatic Arts Production Seasons: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON (Paid Professional), ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT MOULD, FALSETTOS, BETH. Head of Wardrobe: Victorian Opera: IL TABARRO. Films: APPLETON LADIES POTATO RACE, FIVE BLIND DATES. TV: HOUSE OF GODS, THE TWELVE (Season 1), HARDBALL (Season 2), THE OTHER GUY (Season 2). Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, (BFA Costume) ENMORE DESIGN CENTRE. Awards: Nominated Best Costume Design for RHOMBOID at Sydney Broadway Awards 2023.
Director's note
I remember when Mark and Carly asked me to read PRIMARY TRUST I sat quietly reflecting in the kindness and the ache of the play. Oh, I loved feeling this duality.
Kenneth is our hero in the play. He is a loner and fearful. He has lost his job; he grieves the death of his mother. But through the connection of Corrina and Clay who believe in him, he realises there can be a second chance for him. And this is why I love Eboni Booth’s play, as it’s about our need to connect to another human.
On a universal level PRIMARY TRUST warns us not to condemn people; that we don’t have the right to marginalise people. Kenneth is someone who doesn’t fit into society. We are too quick to judge what we don’t perceive to be ’normal’. But we should reach out to those in need and help them.
Thank you James for designing the world of PRIMARY TRUST. I just loved our conversations on how to create this play through the memory of Kenneth.
I have been fortunate to collaborate with some very skilled theatre makers. Verity, Max, Roger, Cameron, Linda, Tim, Krystelle, Bernie, Paisley, Daniel, Gayda, Lily and Carly – oceans of gratitude to you.
Finally, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU Albert, Angela, Charles, and Pete. Each day you were inspiring to me as you kept breathing life into Eboni’s words.
If there is a message to take from PRIMARY TRUST; it is from our cast member Angela’s brother, Josh. He sums it up for me:
“Kindness makes stressful situations easier, a lot of the time stress is from feeling like you can’t share your burden, but when you have a kind person or are kind to someone it lessens your load. You share with those who have shown you kindness, and hopefully they pass it on, a gorgeous kindness loop.”
Let’s live in a kindness loop!
Darren Yap
Rehearsal Photos
Photography by Prudence Upton
WATCH THE TRAILER
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Audio Described
- Wed 9 July 11am
- Sat 12 July 2pm
Q&A Sessions
- Thu 3 July 11am
- Thu 10 July 8.15pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 9 July 6.15pm