★★★★ The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ The Daily Telegraph
★★★★½ Limelight
Riverside Theatres in association with Sydney Theatre Company presents
A Sydney Theatre Company production
BLACK IS THE NEW WHITE
By Nakkiah Lui
Riverside Theatres season
Now you can see Sydney Theatre Company's sold-out, smash hit, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of 2017 at Riverside Theatres Parramatta!
All the characters you fell in love with are back. At the centre is Charlotte Gibson, a lawyer with a brilliant career ahead of her. As her father Ray says, she could be the next female Indigenous Waleed Aly. But she has other ideas. First of all, it’s Christmas. Second of all, she’s in love.
The thing is, her fiancé, Francis Smith, is not what her family expected – he’s unemployed, he’s an experimental composer… and he’s white! Inviting him and his conservative parents to Christmas is a bold move that has all sorts of unintended consequences.
Secrets are revealed, prejudices outed and old rivalries get sorted through. With a toe-tapping soundtrack and an array of brilliant, eccentric, loveable characters, this is a great night in the theatre and a thoroughly beguiling, very Australian story from award-winning playwright Nakkiah Lui.
Duration 2hrs 30mins (including interval)
Content Adult themes, strong language, nudity, drug use
Originally commissioned by Sydney Theatre Company with the support of the Malcolm Robertson Foundation.
Original production supported by the STC Donor Syndicate and Presenting Partner Allens.
Venue – Riverside Theatres Parramatta
Riverside Theatres
Located on the corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta.
Visit the Riverside Theatres website for information on how to get there.
Ticket information
Adult $69
Full time student $64
Australian pensioner $64
Australian seniors card $64
30 years old and under $40
Group bookings (10+ people) $64*
*Group bookings are not available online. Please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777.
Transaction fees may apply: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
Dates and times
Wed 21 Mar 8pm
Thu 22 Mar 8pm
Fri 23 Mar 8pm
Sat 24 Mar 2pm
Sat 24 Mar 8pm
Duration 2hrs 30mins (including interval)
Venue – Riverside Theatres Parramatta
Riverside Theatres
Located on the corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta.
Visit the Riverside Theatres website for information on how to get there.
Pricing and ticket information
Adult $69
Full time student $64
Australian pensioner $64
Australian seniors card $64
30 years old and under $40
Group bookings (10+ people) $64*
*Group bookings are not available online. Please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777.
Transaction fees may apply: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter.
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event are Sydney Theatre Company and Riverside Theatre. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info
Concession, seniors and 30 and under 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 boxoffice@sydneytheatre.com.au. Please quote your booking reference number.
Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Riverside Theatres directly on (02) 8839 3399 to book your seats.
Riverside Theatres seating plan
Download the PDF seating plan
Director Paige Rattray
Designer Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
Composer & Sound Designer Steve Toulmin
With
Tony Briggs, Luke Carroll, Vanessa Downing, Nakkiah Lui, Geoff Morrell, Melodie Reynolds-Diarra, Shari Sebbens, Tom Stokes, Anthony Taufa
Marketing image Rene Vaile
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.
Reviews from the 2018 tour
"Black is The New White, is as funny as it is outrageous." Courier Mail
"Contemporary Australian society laid bare in the most hilarious way." Courier Mail
Reviews from the 2017 Sydney season
"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 thought-provoking, 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
The audience response...
"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
