THE DAPTO CHASER is a biting, black comedy about chasing dreams, racking up debts, and the cut-throat world of greyhound racing.
When your beloved dog’s your golden ticket and your family’s a ticking time bomb, what could possibly go wrong? THE DAPTO CHASER is a biting, black comedy about chasing dreams, racking up debts, and the cut-throat world of greyhound racing.
With the odds stacked against them, the Sinclair family’s biggest gamble might not be on their champion, Boy Named Sue — but on each other.
Mary Rachel Brown’s quintessentially Australian play dives into the brutal reality of addiction to the track, where every win is a fleeting victory and every loss tastes like stale kibble.
It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it’s laugh-out-loud funny, but at its heart, it’s about the lengths we’ll go to for a chance at a better life.
For group bookings of 10+, please email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au or call 02 8918 3400.
Arts professionals (MEAA, AWG members, etc.) check your Ensemble Industry Insider eligibility.
For school groups, please complete our 2026 Education Online Booking Form.
Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| 2026 SINGLE TICKET PRICING | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $90 | $95 |
| SENIORS CARD | $87 | $92 |
| PENSIONER | $83 | $88 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $83 | $88 |
| GROUP 20+ | $78 | $83 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT / UNDER 30s | $46 | $46 |
| INDUSTRY INSIDER / MEAA / AWG | $46 | $46 |
| SCHOOL GROUP | $25 | $25 |
"Brown wrings humour from every twist of the plot" The Sydney Morning Herald
"Playwright Mary Rachel Brown has scripted a whippet smart play" Australian Stage

Mary Rachel Brown
Mary is an AGWIE Award winning playwright and inaugural recipient of The Suzie Miller Fellowship. Her other awards include The Lysicrates Prize, The Rodney Seaborn Award, The Max Afford Award and The Griffin Award. Her works for the stage include: Apocalypse Theatre: ALL MY SLEEP AND WAKING, PERMISSION TO SPIN, Canberra Youth Theatre: ROSIEVILLE, Christine Dunstan Productions: INSIDE OUT, Fixed Foot/The Old Fitz: CHICKEN IN A BISCUIT, Griffin Theatre: DEAD CAT BOUNCE, Merrigong Theatre/Apocalypse Theatre: THE DAPTO CHASER, Redline and Sydney Festival, Contributing writer: BETTY BLOKK BUSTER REIMAGINED, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Adaption: DIE FLEDERMAUS. Television credits include sketch writing for THE ELEGANT GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING for ABC, several episodes of HOME AND AWAY for Channel 7 and THE DAPTO CHASER for ABC TV and Dendy Cinemas (filmed by Australian Theatre Live). Currently, Mary is under commission with Griffin Theatre Company. When not writing she teaches playwriting at NIDA and script assesses for The Australian Writers’ Guild.

Anna Houston
Director
Peter Carroll
Ensemble Theatre debut. Bell Shakespeare: includes JULIUS CAESAR, CORIOLANUS, KING LEAR, TROILUS AND CRESSIDA. Belvoir: includes KING LEAR, OEDIPUS REX, HAPPY DAYS, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE CHAIRS, LIFE OF GALILEO, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, MARK COLVIN’S KIDNEY, SEVENTEEN, CHRISTMAS CAROL, OLD MAN AND INTO THE WOODS. GWB Entertainment: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Hayes Theatre Co: LITTLE WOMEN. Malthouse Theatre: NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN, HAPPY DAYS. Melbourne Theatre Company: EMERALD CITY, HEDDA GABLER, SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS, LAST MAN STANDING. State Theatre Company of South Australia: BECKETT TRIPTYCH, TWELFTH NIGHT, A HARD GOD, MACBETH. Sport for Jove: THE PLAYER KINGS. Sydney Theatre Company: includes DO NOT GO GENTLE, THE TEMPEST, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, MARY STUART, THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI, THREE SISTERS, NO MAN’S LAND (WITH QTC), Member of the STC Actors Company (2006-2009). Nimrod: Founding Member of the Actors Company. Film: includes POWER OF DOG, SLEEPING BEAUTY, THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH, CRAZY RICH ASIANS, HAPPY FEET, BLACK AND WHITE. TV: includes PLAYING GRACIE DARLING, OPTICS, HEARTBREAK HIGH S2, COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, THE MOTH EFFECT, AFTERTASTE, THE LETDOWN, BLOOM, RAKE, GRASS ROOTS, DIAMOND OF JERU, CHANGI, THE FARM, FARSCAPE. Awards: MEAA Lifetime Achievement Award, Helpmann Awards, MO Awards, Green Room Award, Glug Award, Variety Club Award, Penguin Award, Sydney Theatre Award for Significant Contribution to Sydney Theatre, Awarded an AM.

Marco Chiappi
Ensemble Theatre debut. Andrew Henry Presents/GWB Entertainment: DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Bell Shakespeare: PHEDRE, HAMLET, MERCHANT OF VENICE, RICHARD III. Belvoir St Theatre: DRIVE YOUR PLOW INTO THE BONES OF THE DEAD, THE MASTER AND MARGARITA, WAYSIDE BRIDE, LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, BLISS. Malthouse Theatre: AWAY, LOVE AND INFORMATION, EDWARD II, WOYZECK, A PACIFIC UNION, JERUSALEM. Melbourne Theatre Company: BERNHARDT/HAMLET, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, THE FATHER, HIS GIRL FRIDAY, GRAPES OF WRATH, MACBETH, THE ROVER, DEALER’S CHOICE, A DOLL’S HOSUE, CLOSER, DEATH OF A SALESMAN. State Theatre Company of South Australia: THE MISANTHROPE, THE REAL THING, NOISES OFF, THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA. Sydney Theatre Company: AWAY, PYGMALION, JERUSALEM. Film: HOLDING THE MAN, THE BOY CASTAWAYS, AMY, MR RELIABLE. Television: WENTWORTH, SEVEN TYPES OF AMBIGUITY, OFFSPRING, THE DR BLAKE MYSTERIES, DEADLINE GALLIPOLI, PARER’S WAR, MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES, UPPER MIDDLE BOGAN, THE MYSTERY OF THE HANSOM CAB.

André de Vanny
Theatre: Ensemble Theatre: Debut. Australian Shakespeare Company: HAMLET. Belvoir St Theatre: THE ROVER. Cameron Lukey & Neil Gooding Productions: 33 VARIATIONS. Empress Theatre: THE LONESOME WEST. Malthouse Theatre: AUSTRALIAN REALNESS. Melbourne Theatre Company: RED. National Theatre of London: WAR HORSE. Red Stitch: GLORY DAZED. Sport For Jove: OF MICE AND MEN. Skylight Theatre Company Los Angeles: SWANSONG. Sugary Rum Productions / Old Fitz: SPARKLING DARKLY. Theatre Works: SWANSONG.
Film: PLAY DEAD, THE COMIBINATION, WELCOME TO THE COSMOS, UNDER A RED MOON, HATING ALISON ASHLEY. Television: BAY OF FIRES, BLACK COMEDY, NATE IS LATE, MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES, THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES, CITY HOMICIDE, KILLING TIME, RUSH, THE PACIFIC, HERCULES, SALEM’S LOT, WICKED SCIENCE. Awards: Sydney Theatre Awards: Best Actor in an Independent Production (The Lonesome West), Green Room Awards: Best Actor (Glory Dazed).

Justin Rosniak
Ensemble Theatre debut. Belvoir Theatre: I’M YOUR MAN. Film: THE SURFER, RIVER, WAR MACHINE, DOWN UNDER, ANIMAL KINGDOM, LOCUSTS, BROKE, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.
Television: COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, MR INBETWEEN, NCIS, F WARD, SUNNY NIGHTS, THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, THE OFFICE, WOLF LIKE ME, LAST KING OF THE CROSS, LES NORTON, SQUINTERS, HALIFAX RETRIBUTION, HOME & AWAY, RUSH, UNDERBELLY, LAID, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, DANGEROUS, DO OR DIE, BLUE HEELERS, MURDER CALL, WHITE COLLAR BLUE, ALL SAINTS, WATER RATS, MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS and A COUNTRY PRACTICE.

Simone Romaniuk
Ensemble Theatre: TRUE WEST, HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS, THE LOVER & THE DUMB WAITER, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, CLYDE’S, HONOUR, KENNY, THE LAST WIFE, LUNA GALE, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, FRANKENSTEIN, CASANOVA. Bell Shakespeare: JULIUS CAESAR (Costume design). Queensland Theatre Company: A FEW GOOD MEN, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS (with Belvoir), THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES, BERNHARDT/HAMLET, MACBETH, ELIZABETH: ALMOST BY CHANCE A WOMAN, VENUS IN FUR, BOMBSHELLS, KELLY, HEAD FULL OF LOVE, FRACTIONS, THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, AUSTRALIA DAY, THE PITCH, THE CHINA INCIDENT, THE REMOVALISTS, AN OAK TREE, MAN EQUALS MAN, WAITING FOR GODOT, EATING ICE CREAM, BECKETT X 3, RUBY MOON. Brisbane Festival: BANANALAND (with Sydney Festival), MACBETH. Sydney Theatre Company: THE CRUCIBLE, SENECA’S THYESTES. Opera Queensland: THE MIKADO, THE MERRY WIDOW, SPACE ENCOUNTERS, THE MAGIC FLUTE. Pinchgut Opera: RINALDO. State Opera South Australia: LA BOHEME, SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL, LOVE BURNS, BOOJUM!. Victorian Opera: EUCALYPTUS.

Matt Cox
Ensemble Theatre: 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, DIAL M FOR MURDER, THE LOVER AND THE DUMB WAITER, ARIA, UNCLE VANYA, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BOXING DAY BBQ, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, A BROADCAST COUP, THE CARETAKER, NEARER THE GODS, DIPLOMACY, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, ALONE IT STANDS, BENEFACTORS, SUMMER OF HAROLD. Bangarra Dance Theatre: WARU JOURNEY OF THE SMALL TURTLE, DUBBOO, ONE’S COUNTRY, OUR LAND PEOPLE STORIES, BLAK, BELONG. Duet Group: DIVAS. Hayes Theatre Company: SHE LOVES ME. Louise Withers and Associates: THE MOUSETRAP, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED. Soft Tread: WHARF REVUE 2023: PRIDE IN PREJUDICE, WHARF REVUE 2022: LOOKING FOR ALBANESE, WHARF REVUE 2021: CAN OF WORMS. Sydney Chamber Opera: HIS MUSIC BURNS. Sydney Theatre Company: WHARF REVUE 2020; WHARF REVUE 2019; WHARF REVUE 2018; RUBY MOON. Tinderbox Productions: DAVID SUCHET, POIROT and more.

Madeleine Picard
Select credits include; Composer and sound Designer; Ensemble Theatre: 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, DIAL M FOR MURDER, EMERALD CITY. Bell Shakespeare: JULIUS CAESAR. Belvoir 25A: SHITTY, HOT TUB, LIFE IS A DREAM. Virginia Plain & KXT: GRAIN IN THE BLOOD. Old Fitz: AMBER, ALL THE FRAUDULENT HORSE GIRLS. Sydney Fringe Festival: VENUS IN FUR. Sound designer; Belvoir St Theatre: THE WEEKEND. ATYP: SCAB. Associate sound designer; Belvoir St Theatre: DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD, SONG OF FIRST DESIRE, THE WRONG GODS. Hayes Theatre: RIDE THE CYCLONE. Sydney Theatre Company: THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY. Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Theatre and Stage Management), National Institute of Dramatic Art. Madeleine is a sound designer & composer working on Gadigal land.

Christopher Starnawski
Stage Manager
Bella Wellstead
As Assistant Stage Manager: Ensemble Theatre: 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, THE SOCIAL LADDER, TRUE WEST, EMERALD CITY, ARIA. As Production Assistant: Ensemble Theatre: HEARTBREAK CHOIR, MCGUFFIN PARK, COLDER THAN HERE, THE QUEEN’S NANNY, UNCLE VANYA, MASTER CLASS, MR BAILEY’S MINDER. New Ghosts Theatre Company: FRAME NARRATIVE. As Designer: 122 Island Wall Productions: TRANSPARENCY, Flight Path Theatre: VARIOUS CHARACTERS, THE ESCAPE ROOM. As Assistant Director: New Theatre: ATLANTIS.

Lily Mateljan
Ensemble Theatre: THE SOCIAL LADDER, DIAL M FOR MURDER, PRIMARY TRUST, THE HALF LIFE OF MARIE CURIE, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, COLDER THAN HERE, THE QUEEN’S NANNY (and TOUR). Costume Designer: Adelaide Fringe Festival: FUCCBOIS: LIVE IN CONCERT. HBO Events: Welcome to Derry screamer. Netflix Events: WEDNESDAY SEASON 2 PREMIER – WEDNESDAY ISLAND. Belvoir Street Theatre: PORPOISE POOL 25A SEASON. Hayes Theatre Co: BRIGHT STAR, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, LITTLE WOMEN. Kings Cross Theatre on Broadway (KXT): IRL, RHOMBOID, GRAIN IN THE BLOOD, THE PIGEONS. Costume Supervisor: Sydney Opera House: CALAMITY JANE. Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: INFERNO. Pinchgut Opera: DIDO AND AENEAS. Head of Wardrobe: Victorian Opera: IL TABARRO. Films: THE 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 IRL at Sydney Theatre Awards 2025. Nominated Best Costume Design for RHOMBOID at Sydney Broadway Awards 2023.
Audio Described
- Wed 15 Jul 11am
- Sat 18 Jul 8.15pm
Q&A Sessions
- Wed 8 Jul 8.15pm
- Wed 15 Jul 11am
Free Teen Night
- Wed 15 Jul 6.15pm
To book, please contact the Box Office on (02) 8918 3400 or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au