15 SEPTEMBER - 8 OCTOBER

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PLAY

Written By Kim Ho
Story By Kim Ho and Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Directed By Saro Lusty-Cavallari

Australia, 1930. As the Great Depression tightens its grip on a hungry, fledgling nation, Harold Bell Lasseter charms everyone with his story of a fabulously wealthy “reef” of gold hidden in the vast Interior. Brave adventurers set off in search of riches and salvation... but the expedition descends into a nightmare.

Australia, 2022. Lockdowns and relentless funding cuts have left the arts community weary and desperate. Five intrepid screenwriters lock themselves away to create the next great Australian story out of the myth of Lasseter’s Reef. But for these unlucky souls, trapped inside a story they haven’t begun to understand, the real nightmare is yet to begin.

After a Green Room-nominated season at Melbourne's Theatre Works in 2020, Kim Ho and Montague Basement have reimagined this ingenious satire for a post-pandemic Australia. The Great Australian Play is a psychedelic romp through the myths of our glorious nation’s past, present and imagined future.

Image: Bryn Chapman Parish

Creative Team

Presented By Montague Basement and Red Line Productions
Written By Kim Ho
Story By Kim Ho and Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Director, Video and Sound Designer Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Producer Imogen Gardam
Associate Producer Rachael Adamson
Set and Costume Designer Kate Beere
Lighting Designer Kate Baldwin
Stage Manager Justice Georgopoulos
Design Assistant Serena Pollock

Cast Lucinda Howes, Kurt Pimblett, Rachel Seeto, Idam Sondhi, Mây Trần

Partners

Supported by Create NSW
supported by City of Sydney

Dates + Ticketing

Previews 15 - 16 September 2022

Season 17 September - 8 October 2022

Approximate run time 2 hours 20 mins including interval


Content Note

Adult themes, horror imagery, graphic violence, sexual references, smoke/haze, sudden loud noises and flashing lights.

Select Reviews

  • “The staging of this piece shows incredible resourcefulness to match Ho's inventiveness."

    STAGE WHISPERS

  • “A rendering of the commercial, social and artistic factors, that many of today’s creatives feel they are beholden to.”

    SUZY GOES SEE

  • "Lucinda Howes, Kurt Pimblett, Rachel Seeto, Idam Sondhi and Mây Trần delivering through to the end with great integrity."

    SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE