The Bleeding Tree

An Australian murder ballad blown up for the stage, Griffin Theatre Company’s acclaimed production comes to the Wharf.

9 Mar - 8 Apr 2017

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

Sydney Theatre Company and Lendlease present
A Griffin Theatre Company Production

THE BLEEDING TREE

By Angus Cerini

“Girls, I think your father’s dead.”

In a dirt-dry town in rural Australia, a shot shatters the still night. A mother and her daughters have just welcomed home the man of the house… with a bullet. The only issue now is disposing of the body.

From the pen of Victorian playwright Angus Cerini, The Bleeding Tree premiered at Griffin Theatre Company in 2015. It immediately earned praise as “a great and complex production” (The Australian) and went on to win three Helpmann Awards – including Best Play, Best Direction and Best Female Actor – as well as a 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award. In 2017, STC is proud to be bringing the original production back to a new audience.

Triggered into thrilling motion by an act of revenge, The Bleeding Tree is an Australian murder ballad blown up for the stage, with three strong women fighting back. Throughout, Cerini’s writing is powerfully lyrical, bracingly funny and a highly original take on Australian gothic.

Paula Arundell (Disgraced), Shari Sebbens (Battle of Waterloo) and Airlie Dodds (Tusk Tusk) make a fearsome trio of performers. In the hands of Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Director Lee Lewis and designer Renée Mulder (Battle of Waterloo) this is theatre that is, in all its elements, “brutally brilliant” (Daily Review).

“This is powerful, visceral and deeply exhilarating theatre.”
The Guardian

Duration 1hr 15mins (no interval)
Content warning Strong language, adult themes, violent imagery

Production patron Gretel Packer

#STCBLEEDINGTREE

Pricing information

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

Saturday evening A Reserve $44
Adult A Reserve $44
Concession $44
Seniors cardholder $44
Preview $39
Under 30 $39

Single Tickets
Saturday evening $55
Adult $55
B Reserve $50
Seniors cardholder $55
Concession $55
Preview $49
Under 30 $49
Groups (10+ people) $46

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 9 Mar – 10 Mar 2017
Season 13 Mar – 8 Apr 2017

Performance start times
Preview performances 8pm
In-season performances Wed – Sat 8pm; Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm

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 $44
Adult A Reserve $44
Concession $44
Seniors cardholder $44
Preview $39
Under 30 $39

Single tickets
Saturday evening $55
Adult $55
B Reserve $50
Seniors cardholder $55
Concession $55
Preview $49
Under 30 $49
Groups (10+ people), excluding Saturday evening $46

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
Mon 6 Mar 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre
FREE. RSVP here

Audi Night with the Actors
Mon 13 Mar post-show
Mon 27 Mar post-show

Find out more about our Insight Events

Director Lee Lewis
Designer Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer Verity Hampson
Composer Steve Toulmin

With
Paula Arundell, Airlie Dodds, Shari Sebbens

Marketing image James Green
Production images Brett Boardman

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 performances are all astonishing and forceful” ★★★★ Daily Review 

“Arundell, Sebbens and Dodds all give powerhouse performances” ★★★★ Limelight

“Staged with stark simplicity on the striking set, Lewis’ razor-sharp direction puts the focus firmly on the language” Limelight

“Director Lee Lewis works her cool stage alchemy, orchestrating chorus, choreography and contemplation in a production that is accomplished and complete” Australian Stage

“…this encore production cements The Bleeding Tree as a bonafide classic.” Australian Stage

Reviews from the premiere season at Griffin Theatre Company

"This is powerful, visceral and deeply exhilarating theatre." ★★★★ The Guardian

"A short but potent piece, equal parts murder ballad and revenge thriller." Sydney Morning Herald

"Lee Lewis’s great and complex production." The Australian

“Brutally brilliant.” ★★★★ Daily Review

"Bruising, bold and brilliant…The performances in The Bleeding Tree are pitch perfect." Australian Stage

"It’s liberation through violence, it’s women as anti-heroes, and it’s thrillingly subversive and deeply affecting." Time Out

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