Still Point Turning: The Catherine McGregor Story

The moving and timely true story of one of our country’s most intriguing public figures.

21 Apr - 26 May 2018

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

★ ★ ★ ★ The Sydney Morning Herald
★ ★ ★ ★ The Guardian
★ ★ ★ ★ Daily Telegraph

Sydney Theatre Company presents

STILL POINT TURNING:
THE CATHERINE MCGREGOR STORY

By Priscilla Jackman
Based on interviews with Catherine McGregor

World premiere

A life worth living

This is a vivid theatrical portrayal of one of our country’s most intriguing public figures.

From the age of eight, Catherine McGregor knew she was a woman. But first she would have to live as a man. She played many parts: son, brother, husband, athlete, soldier, speech writer. She worked in professions full of machismo, inside institutions built by men.

Every day was a challenge, and every challenge took its toll. In 2012, aged 56, McGregor faced a turning point: end her life, or transition as a woman.

Drawn directly from countless hours of interviews with McGregor, Still Point Turning tells her story in her own words. It reveals a woman of fierce intellect, passion, incisive humour and profound feeling. It celebrates her tenacity without shying away from her faults. It is the true story of her true self.

Writer/director Priscilla Jackman, in her STC debut, has assembled a magnificent cast, led by Heather Mitchell (Cloud Nine) as Catherine, to bring this moving and timely true story to the stage.

“And I arrived at the same point every trans person does. If I am to live on, it would be as the person I felt myself to be, or I would die.”
Catherine McGregor

Duration 1 hr 40 mins (no interval)
Content warning Adult themes including references to suicide, strong language, theatrical haze and strobe lighting

Ticket information

Single tickets

Saturday evening A Reserve $75
Saturday evening B Reserve $65
Adult A Reserve $75
Adult B Reserve $65
Seniors cardholder A Reserve $75
Seniors cardholder B Reserve $65
Concession A Reserve $75
Concession B Reserve $65
Under 30 $65
Preview $65 (A Reserve only)
Standing room $25 (available via Box Office only on 9250 1777)*
Group bookings (10+ people) $63

*Please note that Standing Room ticketholders are required to stand for the duration of the performance, seating will not be provided. 

2018 Season Tickets (packs of 6 or more plays)

Save at least 20% on full price single tickets, access the best available seats and get a lot of exclusive benefits all year. More info and bookings.

Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $60
Adult A Reserve $60
Concession $60
Seniors cardholder $60
Preview $52
Under 30 $52

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
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 21 Apr 2018 – 25 Apr 2018
Season 27 Apr 2018 – 26 May 2018

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

Duration 1 hr 40 mins (no interval)

Pricing and ticket information

Single tickets

Saturday evening A Reserve $75
Saturday evening B Reserve $65
Adult A Reserve $75
Adult B Reserve $65
Seniors cardholder A Reserve $75
Seniors cardholder B Reserve $65
Concession A Reserve $75
Concession B Reserve $65
Under 30 $65
Preview $65 (A Reserve only)
Standing room $25 (available via Box Office only on 9250 1777)*
Group bookings (10+ people) $63

*Please note that Standing Room ticketholders are required to stand for the duration of the performance, seating will not be provided. 

2018 Season Tickets (packs of 6 or more plays)

Save at least 20% on full price single tickets, access the best available seats and get a lot of exclusive benefits all year. More info and bookings.

Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $60
Adult A Reserve $60
Concession $60
Seniors cardholder $60
Preview $52
Under 30 $52

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

Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket seller for this event is Sydney Theatre Company. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info

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

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.

Schools Days

Wed 16 May 11.30am 

Our Education program  

Director Priscilla Jackman
Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer & Sound Designer Steve Francis
Assistant Director Charles O’Grady
Consultant Kelly Glanney 

With
Nicholas Brown, Andrew Guy, Chantelle Jamieson, Ashley Lyons, Heather Mitchell, Georgina Symes 

Audio from Q&A and One Plus One licensed courtesy of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Marketing image  James Green, Rene Vaile 

Insight Events

We offer a range of free and ticketed events designed to give you further insight into our plays. Find out more about our Insight Events.

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 16 Apr 7pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE.

Night with the Actors
Mon 7 May post-show
Mon 21 May post-show

★ ★ ★ ★ "An uplifting work that celebrates individual courage and brings one transgender experience out of the shadows. It will bowl you over." The Sydney Morning Herald

★ ★ ★ ★ "An audacious, poignant portrayal of Catherine McGregor's life." The Guardian

★ ★ ★ ★ “A fascinating, insightful, tough, moving and surprisingly funny piece of theatre.” Daily Telegraph

"Heather Mitchell is one of our greatest actors and the performance she gives here, as the controversial trans woman Catherine McGregor, is extraordinarily rich and multi-layered... She is magnificent." The Australian

"Together, McGregor and Jackman have gifted the audience with a complex and quintessentially Australian account of transgender experience." Daily Review

"... This production is remarkable. It’s entertaining and challenging, the everyday is turned on its head along with cliches and prejudices. Laughter and tears are rarely far from the surface..." Stage Noise

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