A symphony of discord unfolds in David Williamson’s brand-new play — a darkly funny exploration of the intricate dynamics and rivalry inherent within every family.
Overview
WORLD PREMIERE
A symphony of discord unfolds at Monique’s annual family gathering, celebrating her three beloved sons’ birthdays. While Monique’s adoration for her boys knows no bounds, disdain for their wives is palpable.
Festivities crescendo and Monique takes the spotlight with a performance of a renowned opera aria, a poignant reminder of the dreams she sacrificed to raise her brood. In her mind, she was destined for the illustrious stages of La Scala, the Met and Covent Garden.
But beneath the facade of familial harmony, dissonance brews. Have the long-suffering wives reached their boiling point? David Williamson’s ARIA is a darkly comedic exploration of the intricate dynamics and rivalry inherent within every family.
Calendar
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
MEAA/AWG tickets will be released shortly. Please sign-up to Ensemble e-News to find out more.
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| 2025 SINGLE TICKET PRICING | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $94 | $104 |
| SENIOR CARD | $91 | $100 |
| PENSIONER | $87 | $96 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $87 | $96 |
| GROUP 20+ | $82 | $91 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
“The nation’s most prolific playwright” The Australian
★★★★"entertaining and thought-provoking” (for THE GREAT DIVIDE) Stage Noise
Cast & Creatives
David Williamson
Ensemble Theatre: Premieres include: THE GREAT DIVIDE, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, CRUNCH TIME, THE BIG TIME, SORTING OUT RACHEL, ODD MAN OUT, JACK OF HEARTS, DREAM HOME, CRUISE CONTROL, HAPPINESS, WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY, NOTHING PERSONAL, AT ANY COST? (Co-written with Mohamed Khadra), LET THE SUNSHINE, LOTTE’S GIFT, OPERATOR, FLATFOOT (with Christine Dunstan Productions), A CONVERSATION, FACE TO FACE. Griffin Theatre Company: FAMILY VALUES. La Boite Theatre/Noosa Long Weekend: STRINGS UNDER MY FINGERS. La Mama Theatre: CREDENTIALS, THE REMOVALISTS, THE COMING OF STORK. Melbourne Theatre Company: RUPERT, DON PARTIES ON, SCARLET O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROT, BIRTHRIGHTS, SONS OF CAIN, THE CLUB, JUGGLERS THREE. Nimrod: CELLULOID HEROES, TRAVELLING NORTH. Old Tote: WHAT IF YOU DIED TOMORROW? Playbox: SANCTUARY. Pram Factory: DON’S PARTY. State Theatre Company South Australia: THE PUZZLE, A HANDFUL OF FRIENDS, THE DEPARTMENT. Sydney Theatre Company: INFLUENCE, AMIGOS, SOULMATES, UP FOR GRABS (with Melbourne Theatre Company), THE GREAT MAN, CORPORATE VIBES (with Queensland Theatre), THIRD WORLD BLUES, HERETIC, DEAD WHITE MALES, SIREN, EMERALD CITY, THE PERFECTIONIST. Queensland Theatre: NEARER THE GODS, MANAGING CARMEN, AFTER THE BALL, BRILLIANT LIES, MONEY & FRIENDS. Film and TV include: FACE TO FACE, BALIBO, ON THE BEACH, BRILLIANT LIES, SANCTUARY, EMERALD CITY, TRAVELLING NORTH, THE PERFECTIONIST, THE LAST BASTION, PHAR LAP, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, GALLIPOLI, THE CLUB, DON’S PARTY, ELIZA FRASER, THE REMOVALISTS, STORK. Awards: Some of David’s many awards include twelve Australian Writers’ Guild Awards, five Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Screenplay and, in 1996, the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award. David has received four honorary doctorates and been made an Officer of the Order of Australia, as well as having been named one of Australia’s Living National Treasures.
Janine Watson
Director
Anna Houston
Assistant Director
Tamara Lee Bailey
Cast - Midge
Rowan Davie
Cast - Charlie
Danielle King
Cast - Judy
Tracy Mann
Cast - Monique
Suzannah McDonald
Cast - Chrissy
Sam O’Sullivan
Cast - Daniel
Jack Starkey-Gill
Cast - Liam
Rose Montgomery
Set & Costume Designer
Matt Cox
David Bergman
Composer & Sound Designer
Donna Balson
Operatic Voice Coach
Lauren Tulloh
Stage Manager
Bella Wellstead
Assistant Stage Manager
Renata Beslik
Costume SupervisorPlaywright's Note
Most of us need some mild delusions about ourselves to help us get through life. That we’re a tad more personable, intelligent and talented than perhaps we really are. Monique, the pivotal character in Aria, being more than a touch narcissistic, needs delusions to prop up her huge but fragile ego. She believes she was destined to become an international Opera star until the duties of motherhood intervened, but to compensate for this loss she is convinced her three sons are nigh on perfect. She believes however that these brilliant sons deserved much better wives, and leaves her daughters in law in no doubt about her feelings, but as the events of the play unfold, it becomes clear that the daughters in law have finally had enough.
I’ve been fascinated with narcissistic personality disorders even since my days at Melbourne University studying psychology. Basically narcissists are hugely self centred and believe the rest of humanity is only there to heap praise on them. Other people’s lives are of no interest to them. But in Aria I wanted to tackle the moment when a narcissistic personality’s delusions are put under severe threat.
I loved writing all the characters in the play but especially Monique, she’s magnificently insufferable, and I can’t help loving the way she indomitably refuses to be shattered, but reshapes her delusions and soldiers on at the end of the play.
You can inflict flesh wounds on a narcissist but like a shape shifter they rise again to haunt us. Who would have thought a man who encouraged insurrection because he couldn’t accept that he lost an election, would bounce back to become the most powerful man in the world?
Monique’s daughter’s in law might have won the battle but they might not have won the war.
David Williamson AO
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SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Audio Described
- Thu 20 Feb 11am
- Sat 22 Feb 3pm
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- Tue 11 Feb 11am
- Tue 25 Feb 7.30pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 12 Mar 7.30pm