Following a sold-out season at Ensemble Theatre, this heart-warming Australian comedy, is now on tour! Click below for full list of venues.

Overview

WORLD PREMIERE

Appleton is a small country town being forced into the present with a recent influx of wealthy city slickers, treechangers and refugees. Simmering tensions come to a head when new GP Penny Anderson discovers that the famous Appleton Potato Race awards $1000 prize money for the men, and a measly $200 for the women. When Penny decides to take steps to restore gender parity and coax Appleton into the 21st century, little could she have anticipated the spiralling, hilarious culture war that would follow.

Inspired by real life events, THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE is a funny, honest and heart-warming story about upsetting the potato cart and standing up for your principles. Featuring a cast of five fabulous women including Sharon Millerchip (SHIRLEY VALENTINE), Valerie Bader, Merridy Eastman (A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS), Sapidah Kian and Amber McMahon (TRIBES), this brand new Australian play will be brought to life by director Priscilla Jackman.

SOLD OUT

Ticket Prices

Save at least 8% on full-price single tickets and access a suite of benefits by booking a subscription ticket of 5-10 plays. Subscription ticket prices can be found here. + MORE INFO

Transaction fees may apply: $6 website and phone; $0 Box Office counter

Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

SINGLE TICKET PRICESPreviews & weekday matineesEvenings & weekend matinees
Adult$73$80
Seniors$70$77
Pensioners$66$71
Under 30s & Full-time students$38$43
MEAA members$43$43
Groups 10-19$70$77
Groups 20+$66$73
School groups$25$25
Reviews

★★★★★ "Pure theatrical rambunctiousness which will tumble you into the night with sore hands and uplifted spirits" ArtsHub

★★★★ "Melanie Tait's sparkling new comedy... with a light touch and crisp dialogue.... Priscilla Jackman directs with energy a strong all-woman cast." Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ "Playwright Melanie Tait has written a shrewd, big-hearted love letter to the women of country New South Wales... it’s near-impossible to resist being charmed." Time Out

★★★★ "A very Australian, effervescently entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny new play with serious things to say and a gentle way of saying them." Limelight Magazine

★★★★½ "A must-see. There are no downsides to this polished, measured, and punchy work that says so much with such style. The Music

★★★★ "A gentle comedy with a sting in its tail... Recommended." Stage Noise

"Funny, passionate and rousing, an uplifting romp that many will find irresistibly delightful." Suzy Goes See

"Warm-hearted yet piercing, Melanie Tait’s comedy totes weighty issues over the line and makes light work of it... I can see this race being run in regional theatres for years to come." Audrey Journal

"Director Priscilla Jackman shows great confidence in her cast and has a marvellous appreciation of what is comical and treasurable in this very funny, and ultimately very moving, new play." Stage Whispers

Cast & Creatives
Melanie Tait

Melanie Tait

Playwright

Priscilla Jackman

Priscilla Jackman

Director & Dramaturg

Felicity Nicol

Felicity Nicol

Assistant Director

Jane Fitzgerald

Jane Fitzgerald

Dramaturg

Valerie Bader

Valerie Bader

Cast

Merridy Eastman

Merridy Eastman

Cast

Sapidah Kian

Sapidah Kian

Cast

Amber McMahon

Amber McMahon

Cast

Sharon Millerchip

Sharon Millerchip

Cast

Michael Scott-Mitchell

Michael Scott-Mitchell

Set Designer

Genevieve Graham

Genevieve Graham

Costume Designer

Karen Norris

Karen Norris

Lighting Designer

Tegan Nicholls

Tegan Nicholls

Composer and Sound Designer

Nicole Robinson

Nicole Robinson

Stage Manager

Alira McKenzie-Williams

Alira McKenzie-Williams

Assistant Stage Manager

Hannah Lobelson

Hannah Lobelson

Costume Supervisor

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE is a comedy about our relationship to both history and change.  Through the lens of five female characters living in rural Australia we look in on ourselves as a nation. It’s a funny play with a huge heart that is not afraid to pack a punch. It is about rejection and acceptance; seeing the world as it really is, warts and all, and at the same time, daring to ask if it can be something more.  We’ve been dreaming big through our little play.

In the 21st century, we, as Australians, are continually stepping-up to participate in global conversations, around privilege and gender parity – THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE gently provokes conversation around owning and celebrating our past while continuing to question our relationship with generational and social/political change.

This is a play that will entertain, reflect who we are and also ask questions about who we are becoming as Australians. More than anything though, THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE will be a cracking great night at the theatre!

Priscilla Jackman – Director

PHOTOS
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

Our downloadable program is filled to the brim with THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE info! Check out Melanie Tait’s insightful writer’s note, synopsis, photos and more.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF)

WATCH THE VIDEO