Home | Shows | Past Productions | NEARER THE GODS
With his trademark wit and sharp observations, David Williamson exposes the abrasive personalities of revered scientific giants – even geniuses are not infallible!
- Playwright David Williamson
- Director Janine Watson
- Assistant Director Rachel Chant
- Cast Violette Ayad
Jemwel Danao
Rowan Davie
Gareth Davies
Sean O'Shea
Sam O'Sullivan
Shan-Ree Tan - Understudies Lloyd Allison-Young
Claudia Ware - Set & Costume Designer Hugh O'Connor
- Associate Set & Costume Designer Veronique Benett
- Lighting Designer Matt Cox
- Composer & Sound Designer Clare Hennessy
- Stage Manager Meg Stephens
- Assistant Stage Manager Alexi Woronowicz
- Costume Supervisor Renata Beslik
- The Assistant Director position is proudly supported by Jinnie and Ross Gavin through the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Award.
- 2hrs 20mins (including interval)
- Recommended for ages 12+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
Overview
Petty politics, inflated egos and fierce rivalries almost jeopardise one of the greatest discoveries in human advancement; Sir Issac Newton’s laws of motion.
Under the orders of pompous King Charles II (Sean O’Shea, THE RASPUTIN AFFAIR), determined young astronomer Edmund Halley (Rowan Davie) must wrangle the secrets of the universe from the brain of capricious and contrary Newton.
It may be 1684, the Dawn of Enlightenment, but Williamson’s comic re-imagining through a contemporary lens puts the focus firmly on the human tale of rivalry and discovery, of personal trials against a corrupt establishment, of self-doubt versus arrogance, and faith versus reason. NEARER THE GODS is a gripping and blackly funny drama about how one of the greatest moments of scientific illumination almost didn’t happen.
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box Office (02) 8918 3400 or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au.
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. $6 transaction fee applies.
| 2021 SINGLE TICKETS | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $77 | $82 |
| SENIORS CARD | $74 | $79 |
| PENSIONER | $70 | $75 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $38 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $38 | $43 |
| MEAA/AWG | $38 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
| GROUP 10-19 | $74 | $79 |
| GROUP 20+ | $70 | $75 |
Reviews
"Enchanting" "Sometimes a single performance lights up a theatre ... and Sean O’Shea revels in Williamson’s ripest wit as King Charles" "A worthy production of a play that animates the pivotal interaction between some truly fascinating people." Sydney Morning Herald
"Highly entertaining" "Walking out of Kirribili’s bustling Ensemble Theatre atrium ... ‘I loved it’ was heard rebounding eagerly from all directions." Limelight Magazine
★★★★★ "sharp and highly nuanced" "unfrilly and truly witty ... a dark comedy" Arts Hub
“Chalk it up alongside brecht’s life of galileo as one of the greatest in the science-play genre. it’s that good.” The Australian
“[Williamson is] our greatest dramatic entertainer.” The Australian Financial Review
"Director Janine Watson doesn’t miss a beat in ensuring that the black humour of Williamson’s lines is delivered forcefully ... the Ensemble made the small space work its magic." City Hub Sydney
Cast & Creatives
David Williamson AO
David Williamson is Australia’s best known and most widely performed playwright.
Some of his more than forty-five produced plays include THE REMOVALISTS, DON’S PARTY, THE CLUB, TRAVELLING NORTH, THE PERFECTIONIST, SONS OF CAIN, EMERALD CITY, MONEY AND FRIENDS, BRILLIANT LIES, DEAD WHITE MALES, AFTER THE BALL, THE JACK MANNING TRILOGY, THE GREAT MAN, UP FOR GRABS, SOULMATES, SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROTT, NOTHING PERSONAL, WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY, MANAGING CARMEN, CRUISE CONTROL, RUPERT, DREAM HOME, JACK OF HEARTS and ODD MAN OUT. His plays have been translated into many languages and performed internationally, including major productions in London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington (THE CLUB in 1979 and RUPERT in 2014 at the Kennedy Centre as well as a season at the Theatre Royal, Sydney). UP FOR GRABS went on to a West End production starring Madonna in the lead role. David’s screen adaptations of his own plays include THE REMOVALISTS, DON’S PARTY, THE CLUB, TRAVELLING NORTH, EMERALD CITY, along with his original screenplays for feature films including LIBIDO, PETERSEN, GALLIPOLI, PHAR LAP, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, and BALIBO (as co-writer) and for television he adapted ON THE BEACH.
Some of David’s many awards include 12 Australian Writers’ Guild Awards, 5 Australian Film Institutes’ Awards for Best Screenplay and, in 1996, the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award. David has been named one of Australia’s Living National Treasures.
Janine Watson
Director
Rachel Chant
Assistant Director
Violette Ayad
Cast
Jemwel Danao
Cast
Rowan Davie
Cast
Gareth Davies
Cast
Seán O’Shea
Cast
Sam O’Sullivan
Cast
Shan-Ree Tan
Cast
Lloyd Allison-Young
Understudy
Claudia Ware
Understudy
Hugh O’Connor
Set & Costume Designer
Veronique Benett
Associate Set & Costume Designer
Matt Cox
Lighting Designer
Clare Hennessy
Composer & Sound Designer
Meg Stephens
Stage Manager
Alexi Woronowicz
Assistant Stage Manager
Renata Beslik
Costume SupervisorCOVID Safety Measures
Your safety is our priority so there will be some additional measures in place including requiring all patrons to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and the wearing of masks at all times.
Thanks for your support and understanding.
Playwright's Note
Isaac Newton gave the world the greatest leap in knowledge we’ve ever been gifted. He showed that gravity wasn’t just some odd little local force that pulled apples to the ground but the powerful invisible glue that stretched to infinity and held our whole universe together.
What isn’t as well known is the intense drama surrounding the discovery. Drama which almost stopped it happening. The problem was two fold. Newton had one of the most powerful brains of all time, but just when that brain was needed he was on the verge of becoming unhinged. Secondly he had a deadly rival, Robert Hooke, determined to cripple Newton’s efforts. In the end it fell to two of history’s great heroes, Edmund Halley and his wife Mary to sort the mess out.
I couldn’t resist this story as it is a startling and blackly comic example of the fact that being brilliant, as Newton and Hooke both were, doesn’t mean you can’t also be vain, paranoid, ridden with competitive jealousy and on occasions just plain stupid. The heights of human achievement and the depths of petty bastardry can coincide in the same people.
David Williamson (1 Feb 2022)
Special performance dates
Please use the calendar above to select your date and book tickets.
Audio Described
- Thu 7 Apr 11am
- Sat 23 Apr 3.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Fri 18 Mar 8pm
- Tue 29 Mar 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 20 Apr 7.30pm
Photo Gallery
Photography by Prudence Upton
Watch the Trailer
Behind the Scenes Experience
Director at Work
As part of a small group, observe Director Janine Watson at work in the rehearsal room and see NEARER THE GODS come to life.
NEARER THE GODS with Janine Watson
Date: Thu 10 Feb 2022
Time: 4pm – 5.30pm
This Director at Work session is proudly supported by Emma Hodgman and John Coorey.
Download Your Program
Discover more about NEARER THE GODS with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including notes from David Williamson AO and Director Janine Watson, as well as a synopsis, cast & crew, photos and more!