Ensemble Theatre’s commitment to developing unique voices in Australian theatre has led to the growth of our touring productions. Following the success of BLACK COCKATOO in 2020, Geoffrey Atherden’s landmark play about Australia’s first international sporting team is set to hit the road in 2022.

BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Produced 2020 | Touring 2021/2022 to 27 venues nationwide
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Arts on Tour

TOUR VENUES

PREVIOUS TOURS

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2019 | Toured 2021 to 13 venues across NSW & ACT
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour and Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO

DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Produced 2018 | Toured 2019 to 6 venues across NSW and Victoria
Supported by NSW Government, Arts on Tour, Jinnie & Ross Gavin

TWO
By Jim Cartwright
Produced 2017 | Toured 2019 to 25 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

FRANKENSTEIN
By Mary Shelley
Adapted by Nick Dear
Produced 2013 | Toured 2013 to 26 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
By Mitch Albom
Produced 2009 | Toured 2011 to 24 venues nationwide
Drover Award for Touring Excellence
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
By Richard Alfieri
Produced 2006 | Toured 2007 to 20 venues nationwide
Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

We’re pleased to announce the inaugural Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award. The award is for an outstanding unproduced comedy or comedy drama written by a woman playwright including a trans and/or gender diverse playwright.

The award consists of a $7,500 cash prize, a development workshop, and a full production as part of Ensemble Theatre’s annual season.

Details of the award, submission guidelines and entry dates will be available from February 2022. Stay tuned!

We’re thrilled to offer two aspiring directors the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Award. Awarded each year, the successful applicants receive the valuable opportunity to work as an Assistant Director on two of our mainstage productions and Ensemble Development projects.

2021: Rachel Chant, Warwick Doddrell and Ursula Yovich

2020: Rachel Chant and Warwick Doddrell

2019: Adam Deusien and Erin Taylor

2018: Liz Arday and Felicity Nicol

2017: Shaun Rennie and Francesca Savige

2016: Priscilla Jackman and Janine Watson

Supported by Jinnie and Ross Gavin.

An exclusive opportunity for theatre-goers and aspiring theatre makers to go behind-the-scenes and see our skilled directors at work. Join a small group for an intimate afternoon in the rehearsal room to discover how a play is brought to life, and share these exciting insights with your friends.

2021 Season Director at Work sessions

NEARER THE GODS with Janine Watson
Date: Thu 10 Feb
Time: 4pm – 6pm
+ BOOK NOW

The 2021 Director At Work program is proudly supported by Emma Hodgman and John Coorey.

2022 Season Director at Work sessions

If you’re interested in attending, please note on your Subscription Form. Single tickets will be on sale from February 2022.

UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED with Janine Watson
Date: Thu 7 Apr
Time: 4pm – 6pm

THE ONE with Darren Yap
Date: Thu 30 Jun
Time: 4pm – 6pm

BOXING DAY BBQ with Mark Kilmurry
Date: Thu 17 Nov
Time: 4pm – 6pm

$35 per session.

Spaces are limited. For bookings call Box Office on (02) 8918 3400 or book on the links above.

Ensemble Theatre aims to give voice to untold stories reflecting Australia’s changing cultural identity, and reinforcing theatre’s relevance as a vehicle for social change. We are committed to commissioning and developing new work, and to ensuring the success of these productions by providing dramaturgical support and creative development.

BOXING DAY BBQ
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2021 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO

THE ONE
By Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jane Tham & Philip Maxwell & NSW Government

A DOLL’S HOUSE
By Henrik Ibsen
Adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned 2020 | Produced 2022

A LETTER FOR MOLLY
By Brittanie Shipway
Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022

A BROADCAST COUP
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2019| Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced TBC
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO, and Diana & George Shirling

UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019-2022 | Produced 2022

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Hilary Bell
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2020 | Produced 2022
Supported by Charlene & Graham Bradley AM

OUTDATED
By Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2020 | Produced 2021

KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB
By Tracey Trinder
Play Reading 2018 | Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced 2021

KENNY
By The Jacobson Brothers
Adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019 | Produced 2021

BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Play Reading 2015 | Script & Creative Development 2016-19 | Produced 2020
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Sydney Festival.

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Script Development & Creative Development 2018 | Produced 2019
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds

UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney & Catherine Moore
Script Development 2018 | Produced 2018

DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Commissioned 2017 | Produced 2018
Supported by Jinnie & Ross Gavin

THE PLANT
By Kit Brookman
Ensemble Theatre New Writing Commission 2016 | Produced 2017
Supported by David Williamson

THE BIG DRY
Based on the novel by Tony Davis
Adapted by Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2015 | Produced 2016

THE ANZAC PROJECT
By Geoffrey Atherden and Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2014 | Produced 2015

Rory Potter and Noah Sturzaker in THE BIG DRY. Photo by Clare Hawley

Ever wondered how the cast learn so many lines? Or what really resonates about the play with the director? Join us at one of our post-show Q&A sessions for an engaging conversation about the play. Simply purchase tickets to a Q&A performance and stay in your seats after the show.

2021 Season Q&As

THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Tue 30 Nov, 11am
+BOOK NOW

KILLING KATIE
Fri 21 Jan 2022, 8pm
Tue 1 Feb 2022, 11am
+BOOK NOW

NEARER THE GODS
Fri 18 Mar 2022, 8pm
Tue 29 Mar 2022, 11am
+BOOK NOW

2022 Season Q&As

If you’d like to attend a Q&A session, please indicate the relevant date and time on your Subscription Form. Single tickets will be on sale from February 2022.

STILL UNQUALIFIED: UNQUALIFIED 2
Sat 7 May, 8.15pm
Tue 17 May, 11am

A LETTER FOR MOLLY
Wed 18 May, 8.15pm
Wed 25 May, 11am

A DOLL’S HOUSE
Fri 24 June, 8pm
Tue 26 June, 11am

THE ONE
Fri 5 Aug, 8pm
Thu 11 Aug, 11am

PHOTOGRAPH 51
Fri 16 Sep, 8pm
Tue 20 Sep, 11am

THE CARETAKER
Fri 28 Oct, 8pm
Tue 20 Sep, 11am

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Sat 3 Dec, 8.15pm
Tue 13 Dec, 11am

BOXING DAY BBQ
Wed 14 Dec, 8.15pm
Tue 20 Dec, 11am

Introduce theatre to the teenager in your life with a free ticket to join you on one of our Free Teen Nights. These are subject to availability and can be booked alongside one adult subscription or single ticket.

2021 Season Freet Teen Nights

Tue 7 Dec, 7.30pm THE WOMAN IN BLACK +BOOK NOW

Wed 16 Feb 2022, 7.30pm KILLING KATIE +BOOK NOW

Wed 20 Apr 2022, 7.30pm NEARER THE GODS +BOOK NOW

2022 Season Free Teen Nigthts

If you’d like to attend a Free Teen Night, please indicate the relevant date and time on your Subscription Form. Singles tickets will be on sale from February 2022.

Wed 1 June, 6.15pm STILL UNQUALIFIED: UNQUALIFIED 2

Fri 20 May, 6.15pm A LETTER FOR MOLLY

Wed 13 July, 7.30pm A DOLL’S HOUSE

Wed 24 Aug, 7.30pm THE ONE

Wed 5 Oct, 7.30pm PHOTOGRAPH 51

Wed 16 Nov, 7.30pm THE CARETAKER

Tue 27 Dec, 6.15pm A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Wed 11 Jan, 7.30pm BOXING DAY BBQ

Ensemble Theatre also supports PLAYWAVE, a program aimed at connecting 15 – 19 year olds with the arts. Along with discounted tickets to our shows, members of PLAYWAVE can access an array of special events and offers across art forms. See playwave.com.au for details.