SOLD OUT

If you missed out on tickets to the Ensemble season, you can still snap up seats to THE GREAT DIVIDE at The Pavillion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland from 3 – 4 May.

Overview

Golden sands, turquoise waters and a lush green golf course — Penny Poulter leads an almost idyllic life in one of Australia’s best kept secrets, Wallis Heads. But when this hidden coastal gem is discovered by the ruthless and immensely wealthy Alex Whittle, ambitious plans to put the town firmly on the tourist map spark a bitter rivalry. Can this human bulldozer with money to burn ever be stopped?

Australia’s most prolific playwright David Williamson steps out of retirement to pen THE GREAT DIVIDE, a new comedy with wise-cracking commentary on wealth inequality and human greed. Featuring Georgie Parker (RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA) and Kate Raison (KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB), don’t miss this urgent and darkly funny play peppered with Williamson’s caustic wit.

Ticket Prices

For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au

Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.

PRICINGPREVIEWSIN SEASON
FULL PRICE$94$104
SENIOR CARD$91$101
PENSIONER$87$97
GROUP 10 - 19$87$97
GROUP 20+$82$92
30 OR UNDER$40$43
FULL-TIME STUDENT$40$43
MEAA/AWG$40$43
SCHOOL GROUPS$25$25
Reviews

★★★★ "entertaining and thought-provoking... recommended" Stage Noise

★★★★ "A clash of community and plutocracy, imbued with heart and humour." State of the Art

"entertaining satire on wealth and power" Limelight

"[Mark Kilmurry] has cast the play impeccably. Georgie Parker is vivaciously ballsy as Whittle. Emma Diaz is charismatic as Penny. Caitlin Burley plays Penny’s surfer daughter... and she is excellent in the role." Limelight

"played with energy and magnetism by Georgie Parker" The Sydney Morning Herald

“In times when the average Australian cannot afford the cost of a new home, The Great Divide could not be more relevant. Director Mark Kilmurry - as is so often the case with Ensemble Theatre productions - brings the play shining to the stage with intimacy and perfect economy of set (designed by James Browne).” Theatre Travels

“full of verve, almost boisterous in its energetic iteration of this latest David and Goliath story” Suzy Goes See

"David Williamson’s script has a majestic simplicity, an exquisite clarity." Theatre Red

"THE GREAT DIVIDE is a brilliantly written, fabulously portrayed and overall exceptional piece of new Australian theatre." Theatre Thoughts

“fantastically entertaining, emotional and truly hilarious!” Theatre Thoughts

”The Ensemble theatre is a true hub of brilliant Australian talent displaying incredible Australian work, and THE GREAT DIVIDE is no exception." Theatre Thoughts

"Parker and Diaz lead a fantastic cast through a beautifully penned commentary on the struggles of the housing market, cost of living crisis and The Great Divide we see between the wealthy and the poor.” Theatre Thoughts

"Emma Diaz and Caitlin Burley make huge waves" Stage Whispers

Cast & Creatives
David Williamson

David Williamson

Playwright

Ensemble Theatre: Premieres include 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: 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 Company), THIRD WORLD BLUES, HERETIC, DEAD WHITE MALES, SIREN, EMERALD CITY, THE PERFECTIONIST. Queensland Theatre Company: 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.

Mark Kilmurry

Mark Kilmurry

Director

Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, BOXING DAY BBQ, A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, OUTDATED, KENNY, CRUNCH TIME, THE ODD COUPLE, THE LAST WIFE, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, THE BIG TIME, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, TAKING STEPS, NEVILLE’S ISLAND, TWO, ODD MAN OUT, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, BETRAYAL, GOOD PEOPLE, MY ZINC BED, EDUCATING RITA, ABSENT FRIENDS, OTHER DESERT CITIES, THE ANZAC PROJECT, RICHARD III, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, FRANKENSTEIN, MANAGING CARMEN, RED, THE SPEAR CARRIER and HAMLET. Film: Co-writer and co-director of BEING GAVIN. Literature Illustration: CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS. Awards: North Sydney Community Award.

Julia Robertson

Julia Robertson

Assistant Director

As Director; Little Eggs Collective: PINOCCHIO, RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, EXTENDED PLAY: OLIVER SHERMACHER (with Sydney Recital Hall), METROPOLIS (with Hayes Theatre Co). Sydney Grammar School: RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. St. Vincent’s College: MATILDA, THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS. Assistant Director; Joshua Robson Productions & Hayes Theatre Co: BONNIE AND CLYDE, CITY OF ANGELS. Actor; Belvoir 25A: JESS AND JOE FOREVER, THE ASTRAL PLANE, Christine Dunstan Productions: TIM, Griffin Theatre Company: WHEREVER SHE WANDERS, Little Eggs Collective: THE LOST BOYS, Sydney Theatre Company: THE REAL THING. Film: HOT MESS. Training: Lee Strasberg Institute of Theatre and Film (New York) and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London).

Caitlin Burley

Caitlin Burley

Cast - Rachel Poulter

THE GREAT DIVIDE marks Caitlin’s debut with Ensemble Theatre. Belvoir St Theatre: OPENING NIGHT. Bell Shakespeare: ROMEO AND JULIET. Bell Players: 2020 and 2021. National Institute of Dramatic Art: A HAPPY NEW YEAR. Australian Theatre for Young People: INTERSECTION 2018: CHRYSALIS, OEDIPUS DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. Cross-Pollinate Productions: EVERYBODY. Kings X Theatre: A GIRL IN A SCHOOL UNIFORM (WALKS INTO A BAR), AMERICAN BEAUTY SHOP. TV: TRICKY BUSINESS, AT HOME WITH JULIA.

Emma Diaz

Emma Diaz

Cast - Penny Poulter

Ensemble Theatre: Play reading of David Williamson’s TRAVELLING NORTH, Celebrating 50 years with David Williamson. Bell Shakespeare: HAMLET. Belvoir St Theatre: BLESSED UNION. Belvoir 25A: NEVER CLOSER. Monkey Baa Theatre Company: NAUTILUS, HITLER’S DAUGHTER. Sport for Jove: THE CRUCIBLE. Sydney Theatre Company: ON THE BEACH. Film: ISAAC’S DREAM, FRIENDS AND STRANGERS. TV: AFTER THE VERDICT, BUMP, PIECES OF HER, DIARY OF AN UBER DRIVER. Training: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Acting, Australian Film Television and Radio School Production Management. As a producer, Emma has worked with Belvoir St Theatre, Projector Films, Co-curious, ATYP, Kings X Theatre, Old Fitz Theatre and Acuity Films.

James Lugton

James Lugton

Cast - Brian/Joel

Ensemble Theatre: A DOLL’S HOUSE, DIPLOMACY, THE ODD COUPLE. Bell Shakespeare: MACBETH, HAMLET, JULIUS CAESAR, OTHELLO, RICHARD III. Sport for Jove: THE HOLLOW CROWN, WAR OF THE ROSES, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, THE CRUCIBLE, ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, HAMLET, THE TEMPEST, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, MACBETH, THE LIBERTINE, AS YOU LIKE IT, ROMEO & JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Whitebox/Griffin Independent: UNHOLY GHOSTS. Monkey Baa Theatre Company: THURSDAY’S CHILD. TV: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, THE TWELVE, THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS, DIARY OF AN UBER DRIVER, HARROW, DOCTOR DOCTOR, FIGHTING SEASON, MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS. Film: JOE CINQUE’S CONSOLATION, BMX BANDITS.

Georgie Parker

Georgie Parker

Cast - Alex Whittle

Ensemble Theatre: RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, LUNA GALE, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, RAPTURE BLISTER BURN, LET THE SUNSHINE, RABBIT HOLE, THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG, CHAPTER TWO. Footbridge Theatre and National tour: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, NUNSENSE. Marion St Theatre: WAIT UNTIL DARK, HERE COMES SHOWTIME. Queensland Theatre: THREEPENNY OPERA. Sydney Theatre Company: SCENES FROM A SEPARATION, ALL IN THE TIMING. Theatre Royal: CRAZY FOR YOU. Sydney Entertainment Centre and National tour: MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER. Film: THE 13TH SUMMER, THE STRANGER (short film) SANTA’S APPRENTICE (animation), IRRESISTIBLE, DANGER DOWN UNDER, YOUNG EINSTEIN, THE REPRISAL, THE BOY WHO HAD EVERYTHING, THE 13TH FLOOR. TV: HOME AND AWAY, PLAY SCHOOL, CITY HOMICIDE, SCORCHED, EMERALD FALLS, STUPID STUPID MAN, STEPFATHER OF THE BRIDE, THE SOCIETY MURDERS, ALL SAINTS, FIRE, OVER THE HILL, ACROPOLIS NOW, GP, ALL TOGETHER NOW, A COUNTRY PRACTICE, RAFFERTY’S RULES, BARLOW AND CHAMBERS. Awards: Georgie has been nominated for a Logie Award eleven times and won seven, two of them Gold for her television work.

Kate Raison

Kate Raison

Cast - Grace Delahunty

Ensemble Theatre: KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOKCLUB, TWO, THE GOOD DOCTOR, DARK VOYAGER, GINGERBREAD LADY, AT ANY COST?, NINETY, LET THE SUNSHINE, MARY STUART, STELLA BY STARLIGHT, CHARITABLE INTENT, CHAPTER TWO, BIRTHRIGHTS, AFTER THE BALL, ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS, WRONG FOR EACH OTHER, ROAD, A SHAYNA MAIDEL, MAN OF THE MOMENT, THE ADMAN and THE HEIDI CHRONICLES. Darlinghurst Theatre: TORCH SONG TRILOGY. Harvest Theatre Company, S.A: DAYLIGHT SAVING. Outhouse Theatre: HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING. Red Line Productions: THE SHADOW BOX. Valhalla Theatre: THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES for Adrian Bohm. Film: BEING GAVIN, GOING SANE, EBB TIDE, ENCOUNTERS, SUPERFIRE and CHECKPOINT. TV: A COUNTRY PRACTICE, E-STREET, HOME AND AWAY, PACIFIC DRIVE, OUTRIDERS, ALL SAINTS, F.A.R.S.C.A.P.E., NEIGHBOURS and MURDER CALL.

John Wood

John Wood

Cast - Alan Bridger

Ensemble Theatre: CRUNCH TIME. Bunbury Productions: MONO. Lighthouse Theatre Company: SIGNAL DRIVER, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE BLIND GIANT IS DANCING, NETHERWOOD, ROYAL SHOW, TWELFTH NIGHT. Melbourne Theatre Company: JUMPERS, ALL MY SONS, LAST OF THE KNUCKLEMEN, MOTHER COURAGE, SHINDIG, PLOUGH AND THE STARS. Melbourne Theatre Company/Sydney Theatre Company Hit Productions: THE CLUB, WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY. Nimrod: FLASH JIM VAUX, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, HAMLET ON ICE, ONYER MARX (Writer). Old Tote Theatre Company: DEATH OF A SALESMAN, OEDIPUS REX, MAJOR BARBARA. Playbox Theatre Company  Melbourne: A NIGHT IN THE ARMS OF RAELENE, COMEDIANS. Playbox Theatre Sydney: HAMLET. The Production Company: SHE LOVES YOU, NICE WORK. Queensland Theatre: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, DIVING FOR PEARLS, LET THE SUNSHINE. Return Fire Productions: SENIOR MOMENTS. State Theatre Company South Australia: LULU. Sydney Opera House: THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Theatre Royal Sydney: CHESS THE MUSICAL, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. TV: BLUE HEELERS, POWER WITHOUT GLORY, RAFFERTY’S RULES, THE TRUCKIES. Awards: Green Room Awards THE CLUB, IT JUST STOPPED. Logies for POWER WITHOUT GLORY, RAFFERTY’S RULES. Gold Logie for BLUE HEELERS.

James Browne

James Browne

Set & Costume Designer

Crossroads Live: GREASE. Monkey Baa Theatre Company: YONG, JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE and PETE THE SHEEP. CDP: TURNS, TIM, SPOT THE DOG. David Venn Enterprises: CRUEL INTENTIONS. Griffin Theatre Company: LADIES DAY, DIVING FOR PEARLS. Hayes Theatre Co: CABARET, XANADU. Joint Ventures: MIDNIGHT. Merrigong Theatre Company: LETTERS TO LINDY. Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta: GUARDS AT THE TAJ. Sydney Opera House: VELVET, CIRQUE STRATOSPHERE and BLANC DE BLANC. Theatre Creation Japan: GHOST. Victorian Opera: THE SELFISH GIANT. Awards: Best Costume Design 2020 Broadway World Sydney Awards (Musical HAIR). Nominations in the Australian Production Design Awards, Green Room Awards and Sydney Theatre Awards. Training: Theatre Design at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and Australian Film Television and Radio School in Art Direction.

Veronique Benett

Veronique Benett

Lighting Designer

Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, A BROADCAST COUP, THE CARETAKER, A DOLL’S HOUSE, NEARER THE GODS (set and costume). Belvoir St Theatre: THE JUNGLE AND THE SEA, TELL ME I’M HERE, THE WOLVES. Circa: SACRE. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1912. Griffin  Theatre Company: THE SMALLEST HOUR. Hayes Theatre Co: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE LIFE OF US. Red Line Productions: BURN WITCH BURN, HAPPY DAYS, CHORUS, ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE, PERMISSION TO SPIN, HOWIE THE ROOKIE. Pinchgut Opera: PLEASURES OF  VERSAILLES.

Daryl Wallis

Daryl Wallis

Sound Designer

Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, MR BAILEY’S MINDER, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, RICHARD III, FRANKENSTEIN and many more. Belvoir St Theatre: THE MAN FROM MUCKINUPIN. Circa: AURA, RECLAIMED PIANOS, ONE BEAUTIFUL THING, LANDSCAPE WITH MONSTERS. Hayes Theatre Co: HIGH SOCIETY. Merrigong Theatre Company: SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, STRANGEWAYS CABARET, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THE SIRENS’ RETURN, THE OUTSIDE MAN, THE AUROBINDO PROJECT. Milk Crate Theatre: FEARLESS. Monkey Baa Theatre Company: THE PEASANT PRINCE, FOX. Sydney Theatre Company: WOMEN OF TROY. Cabaret: ELIANE MOREL, JACQUI DARK, THE STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, MITCHELL BUTEL, JENNY VULETIC, RUSS VICKERY. Ali & The Thieves: LEONARD COHEN KOANS, THE ROYAL SEED, LOU REED IN THE BARDO. Awards: Sydney Theatre Award Best Score and Sound Design (FRANKENSTEIN), Green Room Award Best Musical Direction (STRANGE BEDFELLOWS).

Erin Shaw

Erin Shaw

Stage Manager

Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, SUMMER OF HAROLD, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, PHOTOGRAPH 51, UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED, HONOUR, KENNY (plus tour), AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH PAUL CAPSIS, DIPLOMACY (plus tour) and FOLK. Australian Theatre for Young People: MOTH. The Old 505: LOVE, ME and LITTLE BORDERS. QPAC: BREAKING THE CASTLE. Sport for Jove: ROMEO & JULIET. Assistant Stage Manager: Ensemble Theatre: KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOKCLUB, BABY DOLL, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, THE WIDOW UNPLUGGED OR AN ACTOR DEPLOYS and DIPLOMACY. Belvoir St Theatre: A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN and BLISS.

Alexis Worthing

Alexis Worthing

Assistant Stage Manager

Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER, CLYDE’S, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER. Australian Theatre for Young People: M.ROCK. Hayes Theatre Co: MURDER FOR TWO, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT. Neglected Musicals: BELLS ARE RINGING. PYT Fairfield: THE HEN HOUSE, National Institute of Dramatic Art: THE MAGIC FLUTE, FALSETTOS, JUST MACBETH, TALES FROM THE WILD BUSH, so/lo, WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING.

Renata Beslik

Renata Beslik

Costume Supervisor

Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER, SUMMER OF HAROLD, MR BAILEY’S MINDER, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, THE CARETAKER, PHOTOGRAPH 51, THE ONE, OUTDATED, CRUNCH TIME, BABY DOLL, FULLY COMMITTED, FOLK, THE BIG TIME, LUNA GALE, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, THE KITCHEN SINK, BUYER AND CELLAR and many more. Bell Shakespeare: HENRY V, THE WINTER’S TALE, MACBETH. Belvoir St Theatre: FANGIRLS. New Theatricals: DARKNESS. National Institute of Dramatic Art: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, STAY HAPPY KEEP SMILING, THE TEMPEST, WOYCECK, A LIE OF THE MIND, PORT, THE THREESOME. Pinchgut Opera: RINALDO, MÉDÉE, ORONTEA, PLATÉE and many more. Sydney Festival: BETTY BLOKK-BUSTER RE-IMAGINED.

Special performances

Director at Work Session

Audio Described

  • Thu 18 Apr 11am
  • Sat 20 Apr 3.30pm

Q&A Sessions

  • Fri 22 Mar 8pm
  • Tue 26 Mar 11am

Free Teen Nights

  • Wed 24 Apr 7.30pm
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

Discover more about THE GREAT DIVIDE with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including writer’s and director’s notes, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

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Rehearsal Images

Rehearsal images by Brett Boardman