With his signature satirical bite, David Williamson AO dissects the fragile performance of status — and the outrageous lengths we’ll go to just to be seen.
WORLD PREMIERE
Katie (Mandy Bishop) doesn’t want a taste of the high life — she wants a seat at the table. When she invites elite Sydney power couple and art collecting heavyweights Charles (Andrew McFarlane) and Catherine Mallory (Sarah Chadwick) over for dinner, Katie’s all in. She’s betting big on charm, fine wine and a jaw-dropping painting she’s hired to add a stroke of “wow” to the walls. She’s got one chance to climb the social ladder, and she’s not about to waste it.
As drinks flow and polite facades start to crack, the evening unravels into a night of lies, cover ups and social desperation.
With his signature satirical bite, David Williamson AO dissects the fragile performance of status — and the outrageous lengths we’ll go just to be seen.
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.
PRICE PER TICKET
| 2026 SINGLE TICKET PRICING | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $94 | $109 |
| SENIORS CARD | $91 | $105 |
| PENSIONER | $87 | $101 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $87 | $96 |
| GROUP 20+ | $82 | $46 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT / UNDER 30s | $46 | $46 |
| INDUSTRY INSIDER / MEAA / AWG | $46 | $46 |
| SCHOOL GROUP | $25 | $25 |
"Another David Williamson masterpiece" North Sydney Sun (for 2025's ARIA)
"One of Australia's most successful and prolific playwrights" The Sydney Morning Herald
David Williamson AO
Ensemble Theatre: Premieres include: ARIA, 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
Directing Credits: Ensemble Theatre: FLY GIRL, ARIA, COLDER THAN HERE, ALONE IT STANDS, A BROADCAST COUP, NEARER THE GODS, STILL UNQUALIFIED, UNQUALIFIED. Bell Shakespeare: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, ROMEO AND JULIET. Redline Productions: FIERCE, CRIMES OF THE HEART, DOLORES (co-director). Acting Credits: Ensemble Theatre: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Bell Shakespeare: KING LEAR, THE DREAM. Griffin Theatre: THE HAPPY PRINCE. Little Ones Theatre: DANGEROUS LIAISONS, DRACULA. Old Fitz: MARY JANE. Sport For Jove: THREE SISTERS. Film: THE CODE. Television: THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, NEIGHBOURS, THAT’S NOT ME. Training: National Theatre Drama School (Melbourne). Awards: Sandra Bates Directing Award 2016. Sydney Theatre Award – Best Lead Female Performance THE HAPPY PRINCE 2019. GLUG Award – Best Supporting Actress A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.
Mandy Bishop
Ensemble Theatre: LOSING LOUIS, DAGS. Bell Shakespeare: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Education tour. Darlinghurst Theatre: SILENT NIGHT, BOSTON MARRIAGE, VICIOUS STREAKS. Belvoir: THE PILLOWMAN, OPEN HOUSE. Downstairs: FALLEN ANGELS, TWO FOR THE ROAD, 24 HR PLAY PROJECT. Hayes Theatre: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (Neglected Musicals, IRENE, VARIATIONS), DUBBO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (workshop). Old Fitzroy: CHICKEN IN A BISCUIT, MUSIC & MANDY & SCOTT (+ Griffin), A GIRL IN A CAR WITH A MAN, BIRD’S EYE VIEW. Sydney Theatre Company: THE WHARF REVUE (x 13), OPTIMISM. Sydney Opera House: Olympic Arts Festival, A ZOOM WITH A VIEW. Sydney Symphony Orchestra: THE HAPPINESS BOX, GERALD McBOING BOING. Recent Film: FANGS. Recent Television: AT HOME WITH JULIA (co-writer), HOME AND AWAY, DROP DEAD WEIRD, LAW AND ORDER SVU.
Sarah Chadwick
Ensemble Theatre: STELLA BY STARLIGHT. Flow Studios: THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA. State Theatre Company of South Australia: TAKING STEPS.
Film: CIRCLE OF LIES, THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, GROSS MISCONDUCT, HEARTLESS, SOMETHING HONEST, FROM INSIDE A GIRL’S ROOM. Television: REMEMBER MY NAME,HOME AND AWAY, JANET KING, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, CROWNIES, TRUE CRIME: A MODEL DAUGHTER, HEADLAND, ALL SAINTS, BLUE HEELERS, M.D.A., BAD COP, BAD, COP, CRASH PALACE, FLAT CHAT, WILDSIDE, GLAD RAGS, THE FLYING DOCTORS, LATE FOR SCHOOL, A COUNTRY PRACTICE, GP, RAFFERTY’S RULES, E STREET.
Training: The National Institute of Dramatic Art(1988).
Jo Downing
Cast - Laura Gregory
Andrew McFarlane
Ensemble Theatre: AFTER THE BALL, EMERALD CITY, LOSING LOIS, LET THE SUNSHINE, LOVE LETTERS, NOTHING PERSONAL. Black Swan State Theatre Company: THE SEAGULL, ARCADIA. Christine Dunstan Productions: TIM. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: DEATHTRAP. Melbourne Theatre Company: THE HERETIC, SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROTT, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. Sydney Theatre Company: THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, HUBRIS AND HUMILIATION, GRAND HORIZONS, MARY STUART, WOMAN IN MIND, CORPORATE VIBES (WITH QTC), TWO WEEKS WITH THE QUEEN, KING LEAR, HENRY IV PART 1, CYRANO DE BERGERAC. Film: TRUTH, RAZZLE DAZZLE, LITTLE WHITE LIES, BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS, BORN TO RUN, DOCTORS AND NURSES, BREAK OF DAY. Television: SPARTACUS: HOUSE OF ASHUR, THE NEWSREADER. Awards: 2023 SYDNEY THEATRE AWARD Best Performance in a Supporting Role, 2015 ASTRA AWARD Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor.
Matt Minto
Ensemble Theatre: EMERALD CITY, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX, CRUNCH TIME, THE BIG TIME, ODD MAN OUT. Darlinghurst Theatre: THE PRIDE. Red Line Productions (Old Fitz): COCK. Silo Theatre: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE & TWO. Circa Theatre: RABBIT. Q Theatre: EVERYTHING AFTER. Herald Theatre/Auckland Live: COCK. Eclipse Productions: TIME STANDS STILL. Maidment Theatre: OTHELLO. Bedlam Theatre: TWELFTH NIGHT. Community20 Theatre: MACBETH. Offstage Theatre: THE THREE SISTERS. Film: INFINI. Television: THE BAD SEED, THE BLUE ROSE, SHORTLAND STREET, HOME AND AWAY, I ROCK, WELLMANIA, LAST KING OF THE CROSS, WATCHING YOU, THE JURY: SEASON 2.
Johnny Nasser
Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER. Bakehouse Theatre Co: NIGHT SLOWS DOWN. Belvoir Street Theatre: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, WILDE TALES. CDP: THE 52 STOREY TREEHOUSE, MR STINK. Darlinghurst Theatre: VAMPIRELLA. GPAC: JULIUS CAESAR. Griffin Theatre Company: DEAD CAT BOUNCE. Red Line Productions: THE EFFECT. Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta: QUEEN FATIMA, LADY TABOULI. Siren Theatre Co: THE HAM FUNERAL. Sydney Theatre Company: THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS, GRAND HORIZONS, A FOOL IN LOVE. Film: SCOBY, FLOTSAM JETSAM, CONVICT, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, THE COMBINATION REDEMPTION. TV: STRIFE, TEN POUND POMS, NCIS: SYDNEY, TOTAL CONTROL, THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS, THE WILDS, REEF BREAK, STREET SMART, HOME & AWAY, HERE COME THE HABIBS, BABIES, STINGERS, LEGACY OF THE SILVER SHADOW. Awards: Sydney Theatre Award – Best Supporting Actor (THE HAM FUNERAL).
Veronique Benett
Ensemble Theatre: ULSTER AMERICAN, SWITZERLAND (set and lighting), THE GREAT DIVIDE (lighting), THE MEMORY OF WATER, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, A BROADCAST COUP, THE CARETAKER, A DOLL’S HOUSE, NEARER THE GODS (set and costume). Lighting design credits; 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 Company: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Outhouse Theatre Company: A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. Red Line Productions: BURN WITCH BURN, HAPPY DAYS, CHORUS, ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE. Pinchgut Opera: PLEASURES OF VERSAILLES.
Matt Cox
Ensemble Theatre: 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.
Clare Hennessy
Ensemble Theatre: A BROADCAST COUP, NEARER THE GODS. Belvoir’s 25A: PORPOISE POOL, GIRLFRIEND, KASAMA KITA, TUESDAY, GREATER SUNRISE. The Old Fitzroy: MARY JANE, THE SWELL, TONGUE TIED. Kings Cross Theatre: PEOPLE WILL THINK YOU DON’T LOVE ME, YOUR NAME, MISERY LOVES COMPANY, MERCURY FUR. Civic Theatre, Newcastle: BLUEBERRY PLAY. Brown’s Mart: HUSH. As performer: THE BRIDGE, SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE. As a Playwright: THE BRIDGE, TONGUE TIED, TRANSIENCE, ELEGY. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, Charles Sturt University.
Lauren Tulloh
Lauren is Ensemble Theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. Ensemble Theatre: EMERALD CITY, THE LOVER and THE DUMB WAITER, ARIA, MCGUFFIN PARK, UNCLE VANYA, SWITZERLAND, ALONE IT STANDS, THE MEMORY OF WATER, MR BAILEY’S MINDER, CLYDE’S, A BROADCAST COUP, THE CARETAKER, THE ONE, A LETTER FOR MOLLY, KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOKCLUB, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE (2021 regional tour), OUTDATED, THE LAST WIFE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MARJORIE PRIME, THE PLANT, BETRAYAL. Hayes Theatre Company: REWIRED: MUSICALS REIMAGINED, AMERICAN PSYCHO, HIGH FIDELITY, ASSASSINS, CALAMITY JANE, THE FANTASTICKS, VIOLET. National Theatre of Parramatta: QUEEN FATIMA, THE THINGS I COULD NEVER TELL STEVEN, JESUS WANTS ME FOR A SUNBEAM (Belvoir season). Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art: Production.
Bella Wellstead
As assistant stage manager: Ensemble Theatre: 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: Flight Path Theatre: VARIOUS CHARACTERS, THE ESCAPE ROOM. As assistant director: New Theatre: ATLANTIS.
Lily Mateljan
Ensemble Theatre: 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: Netflix Events: WEDNESDAY SEASON 2 PREMIER – WEDNESDAY ISLAND Belvoir Street Theatre: PROPOISE POOL 25A SEASON. Hayes Theatre Co: BRIGHT STAR, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, LITTLE WOMEN. Kings Cross Theatre on Broadway (KXT): RHOMBIOD, GRAIN IN THE BLOOD, THE PIGEONS. Costume Supervisor: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: INFERNO. Pinchgut Opera: DIDO AND AENEAS. Head of Wardrobe: Opera house: CLAMITY JANE. Victorian Opera: IL TABARRO. Films: 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 RHOMBOID at Sydney Broadway Awards 2023.
Audio Described
- Thu 19 Feb 11am
- Sat 21 Feb 3pm
Q&A Sessions
- Thu 5 Feb 11am
- Fri 20 Feb 7.30pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 11 Mar 7.30pm
To book, please contact the Box Office on (02) 8918 3400 or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au