The Father

John Bell returns to the STC stage in this beautifully constructed new play that has won awards in Paris, London and New York.

19 Aug - 21 Oct 2017

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

Sydney Theatre Company and Commonwealth Bank present
A Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company production

THE FATHER

By Florian Zeller
Translated by Christopher Hampton

Australian premiere

Profoundly moving and darkly comic

A giant of Australian theatre for over 50 years, John Bell makes a very welcome return to the STC stage for The Father, an extraordinary new play which has captivated Paris, London and New York.

Now 80 years old, André (John Bell) was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne (Anita Hegh) and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? Either way, he’s still wearing his pyjamas and he can’t find his watch. He’s starting to wonder if he’s losing control.

A touching, funny and deeply unsettling story, The Father, by French playwright Florian Zeller, is a winner of the Molière Award, France’s most prestigious honour for a new work of theatre. And its English translation, by renowned writer Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), was The Guardian’s pick for Play of the Year in London, and nominated for two Tony Awards in New York, including Best Play.

Director Damien Ryan, who has met acclaim leading independent theatre company Sport for Jove, brings his skills to STC for the first time in this co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company.

“As sharp and surprising a play as you’ll see all year.”
The Times

Duration 1hr 35mins (no interval)

#STCTHEFATHER

By special arrangement with Theatre Royal Bath Productions.

Pricing information

Single Tickets

Preview performances $77

Standing room $25 - ticketholders are required to stand for the duration of the performance. Seating will not be provided. 

A Reserve

Monday – Thursday performances
Adult $101
Seniors cardholder $92
Concession $81
Under 30 $79
Groups (10+ people) $86

Friday night & Saturday matinee performances
Adult $102
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $80
Groups (10+ people) $87

Saturday evening $109

B Reserve

Monday – Thursday performances
Adult & Senior $91
Concession $81
Under 30 $79

Friday night & Saturday matinee performances
Adult & Senior $92
Concession $82 
Under 30 $80

Saturday Evening $99

Season Ticket prices
Season Tickets are no longer available to purchase.

Saturday evening A Reserve $84
Adult A Reserve $79
Concession $63
Seniors cardholder $72
Preview $61
Under 30 $61

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 19 Aug – 23 Aug 2017
Season 25 Aug – 21 Oct 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

Single Tickets

Preview performances $77

Standing room $25 - ticketholders are required to stand for the duration of the performance. Seating will not be provided. 

A Reserve

Monday – Thursday performances
Adult $101
Seniors cardholder $92
Concession $81
Under 30 $79
Groups (10+ people) $86

Friday evening & Saturday matinee performances
Adult $109
Seniors cardholder $99
Concession $88
Under 30 $86
Groups (10+ people) $93

Saturday evening $109

B Reserve

Monday – Thursday performances
Adult & Senior $91
Concession $81
Under 30 $79

Friday evening & Saturday matinee performances
Adult & Senior $98
Concession $88
Under 30 $86

Saturday evening $99

Season Ticket prices
Season Tickets are no longer available to purchase

Saturday evening A Reserve $84
Adult A Reserve $79
Concession $63
Seniors cardholder $72
Preview $61
Under 30 $61

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

Pier Group Lunch
Mon 17 Jul 12pm

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 14 Aug 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre
FREE
RSVP here

Audi Night with the Actors
Mon 4 Sep post-show
Mon 18 Sep post-show

Find out more about our Insight Events

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Photo James Green
Production photos Philip Erbacher

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.

Australian reviews of the play...

“Bell goes the extra mile here, to places I haven't seen him go before. A more complete, more revelatory and touching depiction of the abdication of authority and sanity is hard to imagine. Andre is one of Bell's very best performances.” Sydney Morning Herald

"Bell gives a stunning performance, becoming steadily more physically, mentally and emotionally frail as the play progresses." ★★★★The Daily Telegraph 

"a profoundly poignant human drama" ★★★★The Daily Telegraph

"Rarely, if ever, can a disintegrating mind have been so persuasively illuminated and viscerally experienced by an audience." Stage Noise by Diana Simmonds

"The Father is one of the most moving and extraordinary experiences" Stage Noise by Diana Simmonds

UK reviews of the play...

"Stunning… intelligent… elegant. Perfectly measured, with enough wit not to seem exhaustingly desolate." The Evening Standard

"An unqualified triumph." The Telegraph, UK

"Ferocious, charming, playful." The Guardian, UK

"The Father is a quietly spoken revelation." The Times, UK

"Startling and profoundly moving." Time Out London

"A distinguished rendering of an original drama." The Observer

"Heartbreaking… most moving." The Independent

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