The Present

Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh star in Andrew Upton’s new adaptation of Chekhov’s first play.

4 Aug - 19 Sep 2015

Roslyn Packer Theatre

The Play

CLOSED

'Andrew Upton’s masterful adaptation of Chekov’s novice play' ★★★★★ 
The Guardian Australia

Sydney Theatre Company and UBS present

THE PRESENT

After Anton Chekhov’s Platonov
By Andrew Upton

World premiere

Love will tear us apart

Anton Chekhov’s first play was a sprawling, unstructured epic but it marked out the style and themes he would return to in his later masterworks from The Seagull to The Cherry Orchard. It remains a mysterious, unpolished gem.

The manuscript, left unpublished until almost two decades after Chekhov’s death, lacked a title. Over the years it has inspired various adaptations – Wild Honey, Fatherlessness, The Disinherited –but it is most commonly referred to as Platonov, the name of the man at its centre. And yet, the play has always contained another extraordinarily rich and complex character – that of Anna Petrovna.

Taking on these roles are the fearsome talents of Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh. Irish director John Crowley, renowned for his work on the West End and Broadway, brings his lean and precise theatrical vision. And, as with his 2010 adaptation of Uncle Vanya, Andrew Upton lends his distinctive voice, brimming with vitality, to this tale of yearning, vodka and shattered dreams.

Duration: 3hrs (including interval)

Content warning: Contains coarse language, gunshots and smoke effects.

Production patrons: John and Frances Ingham
 

#STCTHEPRESENT

CLOSED

Previews 4 - 7 Aug 2015
Season 10 Aug - 19 Sep 2015

Show start times
Mon 6.30pm; Tue – Sat 7.30pm; Wed matinee 1.00pm; Sat matinee 1.30pm
Schools Performance Wed 2 Sep 11.30am

Casual ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $149
Saturday evening B Reserve $105*
Adult A Reserve $144
Adult B Reserve $93*
Concession $114
Seniors cardholder $134
Preview $95
Under 30 $114
Upper boxes $35*

*Please note: these seats have a restricted view of certain scenes, please contact Box Office with any queries

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

Transaction fees may apply
$7.50 Online
$8 Telephone
$0 Box Office counter

INSIGHT EVENTS

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 20 Jul 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre

Audi Night with the Actors
Mon 17 Aug post-show

Pier Group Lunch
Mon 29 Jun 12pm

Matinee Club
Wed 26 Aug 12pm

 

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Audio Described performance
Fri 11 Sep 7.30pm
Sat 12 Sep 1.30pm

Captioned performance
Wed 26 Aug 1pm
Fri 4 Sep 7.30pm

Auslan performance
Thu 17 Sep 7.30pm

Director John Crowley
Designer Alice Babidge
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer & Sound Designer Stefan Gregory

With
Anna Bamford, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Buchanan, David Downer, Eamon Farren, Martin Jacobs, Jacqueline McKenzie, Brandon McClelland, Marshall Napier, Susan Prior, Richard Roxburgh, Chris Ryan, Toby Schmitz

Photo James Green

"The Present is a true ensemble piece, both in Upton’s expanded characters and the near to perfect cast who bring them vividly to life." ★★★★★ The Guardian Australia

"This is a fine production." The Australian

"The Present – Upton’s take on Chekhov’s unfinished, untitled and unpublished first play ... is his most clear-eyed and contemporary adaptation to date." Timeout Sydney
 

We love hearing from you. Take a look at what audiences are saying about The Present below

"Bravo all involved! #STCThePresent brilliant exciting theatre from @SydneyTheatreCo - wonderful adaptation, direction & extraordinary cast." Sam via Twitter

"Well #STCThePresent was extraordinary. Congrats to @SydneyTheatreCo, Andrew Upton and the wonderful cast." Penny via Twitter

"#STCThePresent shot thru with comic bravura. Blanchett, Roxburgh et al tore it up with their ripped personas. Upton & Crowley a good combo." Steve via Twitter

"#STCThePresent.. WOW... a great night in the theatre.. fantastic performances. Chekhovian happiness abounding. Thanks @SydneyTheatreCo." Michael via Twitter

"Saw #STCThePresent by #Chekov last night @sydneytheatreco with #CateBlanchett and #RichardRoxburgh. Extraordinary!!" Dana via Twitter

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