Black is the New White

A delightfully incisive new romantic comedy by one of this country’s most in-demand writers, Nakkiah Lui.

5 May - 17 Jun 2017

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

EVENT CLOSED

Black is the New White is returning in 2018! More info.

Sydney Theatre Company and Allens present

BLACK IS THE NEW WHITE

By Nakkiah Lui

World premiere

Love, politics and other things you shouldn’t talk about at dinner

Black is the New White is a laugh-out-loud, provocative new romantic comedy by fearless columnist and an award-winning playwright Nakkiah Lui.

Charlotte Gibson (Shari Sebbens) is a lawyer on the up. She won a landmark Native Title case, she’s making her parents proud, she could have her own TV show tomorrow. As her father Ray (Tony Briggs) says, she could be the next feminist Indigenous Waleed Aly. But she has other ideas. First of all, it’s Christmas. Second of all, she’s in love.

Charlotte's fiancé, Francis Smith (James Bell), is not what her family expected. He's an unemployed experimental classical composer… and he's white! Bringing him and his conservative parents to meet her family on their ancestral land is a bold move. Will he stand up to the scrutiny? Or will this romance descend into farce?

Love is never just black and white. It’s complicated by class, politics, ambition, and too much wine over dinner. But for Charlotte and Francis, it's mostly complicated by family. Secrets are revealed, prejudices outed and old rivalries get sorted through. What can’t be solved through diplomacy can surely be solved by a good old-fashioned dance-off. They’re just that kind of family.

This incisive comedy is newly commissioned by STC, and writer Nakkiah Lui shows why she is one of this country’s most in-demand young voices. A writer and star of Black Comedy on ABC, Lui delivers cutting satire that is both seductively subversive and thoroughly delightful. 

Paige Rattray (Boys will be boys) directs a wonderful ensemble, featuring James Bell (Children of the Sun), Kylie Bracknell (ABC’s Redfern Now) Tony Briggs (ABC’s Cleverman), Luke Carroll (The Hanging), Vanessa Downing (Power Plays), Geoff Morrell (Vere Faith), Melodie Reynolds-Diarra, Shari Sebbens (Battle of Waterloo) and Anthony Taufa (The Golden Age).

With a toe-tapping soundtrack and an array of brilliant, eccentric, loveable characters, don’t miss the world premiere of this beguiling Australian story. 

"A bustling, astute and questioning social comedy on identity politics" ★★★★ The Sydney Morning Herald

Duration 2hrs 30min (including interval)
Content warning Adult themes, strong language, nudity and drug use

Supported by The Donor Syndicate

#STCBLACKWHITE

Black is the New White was commissioned with the support of the Malcolm Robertson Foundation.

Pricing information

Season Ticket prices
Pick 6 or more plays to create your Season Ticket package. More info.

Saturday evening A Reserve $79
Adult A Reserve $75
Concession $60
Seniors cardholder $68
Preview $60
Under 30 $60

Single Tickets
Saturday evening $99
Adult $94
Seniors cardholder $86
Concession $75
Preview $75
Under 30 $75
Groups (10+ people) $79
Restricted view $45*
Standing room (no seating) $20

*Restricted view seats have an impeded view of certain scenes. Please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 with any questions

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings (packs of 6 or more plays): no fees
Single ticket bookings: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Dates

Previews 5 May – 9 May 2017
Season 11 May – 17 Jun 2017

Performance start times
Preview performances 8pm
In-season performances Wed – Sat 8pm; Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm
Schools Day Wed 31 May 11.30am

Pricing and ticket information

2017 Season Tickets (packs of 6 - 14 plays) on sale now
A Season Ticket saves at least 20% on full price single tickets and you get many other benefits. More info.

Season ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $79
Adult A Reserve $75
Concession $60
Seniors cardholder $68
Preview $60
Under 30 $60

Single tickets
Saturday evening $99
Adult $94
Seniors cardholder $86
Concession $75
Preview $75
Under 30 $75
Groups (10+ people), excluding Saturday evening $79
Restricted view $45*
Standing room (no seating) $20

*Restricted view seats have an impeded view of certain scenes. Please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 with any questions

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

Concession, seniors and under 30 tickets
Suitable and valid identification must be provided for collection of tickets and at the venue, such as your concession or proof of age card. Alternatively, you may email a copy of your identification to [email protected]. Please quote your booking reference number.

Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings (packs of 6 or more plays): no fees
Single ticket bookings:  $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Insight Events

Pre-season Briefing
Wed 19 Apr 6.15pm
Wharf 1 Theatre
FREE. RSVP here

Matinee Club
Wed 17 May 12pm

Audi Night with the Actors
Mon 22 May post-show
Mon 5 Jun post-show

Community Performance
Wed 14 Jun 1pm - Sold Out

Find out more about our Insight Events

Schools Days

Wed 31 May 11.30am

Director Paige Rattray
Designer Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
Composer & Sound Designer Steve Toulmin

With
James Bell, Kylie Bracknell [Kaarljilba Kaardn], Tony Briggs, Luke Carroll, Vanessa Downing, Geoff Morrell, Melodie Reynolds-Diarra, Shari Sebbens, Anthony Taufa

Marketing photo James Green
Production photos Prudence Upton

This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team. Ensure you have the most up-to-date information about each play by opting in to our enewsletter.

The critics are saying...

"Generously funny... a bustling, astute and questioning social comedy on identity politics" ★★★★ The Sydney Morning Herald

 "With pitch-perfect performances all round, it’s a thoughtprovoking, joyously entertaining comedy" ★★★★ The Daily Telegraph

"A wonderfully quick-witted, sharp-as-a-tack Australian Rom Com with a lot of heart that keeps the audience laughing – or gasping – all the way." ★★★★½ Limelight

"Deliciously funny." The Australian

"Big social issues with a whole heap of goofball." The Guardian

 

Audiences are raving about Nakkiah Lui's provocative new romantic comedy...

"Get along to this new australian work @Sydneytheatreco ... its a wonderful night in the theatre!" Marta Dusseldorp, via Twitter

"Standing ovation for opening night. Utterly perfect cast and a champagne script — it's Australia's Meet the Fockers in the best possible way." Benjamin Law, via Twitter

"Just saw @nakkiahlui's Black is the New White at @Sydneytheatreco. Just quietly: It is INSANELY good." Alex via Twitter

"Go see this play, it's hilarious, insightful, downright entertaining and worth a night off Netflix @nakkiahlui @SydneyTheatreCo #theatre" Danielle, via Twitter

"This is the funniest thing I've seen in such a long time. To the amazing cast, director, writer and crew... BRAVO." Melissa, via Facebook

"Great writing, laughs and thought provoking." Sally, via Facebook
 

Seeing the show? Join the conversation by tagging us #STCBlackWhite and @Sydneytheatreco on your social media of choice.

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