Mary Stuart

One of history’s great rivalries played by two masterful actors. In this gripping new adaptation an empire is at stake and a queen’s life hangs in the balance.

Roslyn Packer Theatre

The Play

★★★★½ Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★½ Limelight
★★★★½ Daily Review ★★★★½ Stage Noise
★★★★Time Out ★★★★ Audrey Journal

 

Sydney Theatre Company presents

MARY STUART

A new adaptation by Kate Mulvany, after Friedrich Schiller

 

World premiere

 

Two queens. One crown.

 

One of history’s great rivalries. A battle of wits, blood and broken hearts, now reinvented for the stage in majestic scale – the iconic tale of Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England.

 

Caroline Brazier (Dinner, ABC’s Rake) is Mary and Helen Thomson (The Harp in the South) is Elizabeth. Two flawed and fascinating women locked in a monumental, murderous feud. The stakes couldn’t be higher. An empire is in jeopardy. A queen’s life hangs in the balance.

 

This world premiere production is a finely-tuned spectacle. Guided by award-winning director Lee Lewis, the creative team bring outstanding female perspective and wit to this new adaptation by Kate Mulvany (The Harp in the South). Opulent period-inspired costume and ingenious design reveal both the grandeur and danger of Elizabethan England.

 

With plot twists and political intrigue, Mary Stuart transcends its 16th century origins. Based in historical truth, the story is punctuated with an extraordinary and pivotal imagined event; a face-to-face meeting between the two queens. They are each other’s equal – smart, strong, sexy and determined to survive. These heroines were our feminist forbears.

 

Following an uprising, Mary has fled Scotland only to be imprisoned in England. Elizabeth feels threatened – Mary is younger, more beloved, and with her own claim to the throne.

 

In a world dominated by double-crossing men, these remarkable monarchs scheme and struggle to hold on to power. Do they have more in common than they realise? In another life, another time, the cousins might have been friends. The question now is whether Elizabeth will release Mary – or execute her.

 

Don’t miss this brilliant production.

 

Production Patron The Vine Foundation

 

Approx. duration 2hrs (no interval). Subject to change. More info
Content warning Strong language, adult themes including sexual violence, blood, loud sound effects and theatrical haze. More info

 

Ticket information

 

Single tickets

 

Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $103
Adult B Reserve $93
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $81

 

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $108
B Reserve $98

 

Preview performances
All tickets $81

 

Season Tickets

 

Choose 6 or more plays for savings of up to 20% and exclusive benefits. More info.

 

Saturday evening A Reserve $86
Adult A Reserve $82
Concession $65
Seniors cardholder $74
Preview $64
Under 30 $64

 

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 Feb 2019 – 8 Feb 2019
Season 11 Feb 2019 – 2 Mar 2019

 

Performance start times
Preview performances 7.30pm
In-season evening performances Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 1.30pm
Schools performance 11.30am

 

Approx. duration 2 hrs (no interval). Subject to change. More info

 

Ticket information 

 

Season Tickets

 

Choose 6 or more plays to enjoy savings of up to 20% and get a whole lot of exclusive benefits all year. More info and bookings.

 

Saturday evening A Reserve $86
Adult A Reserve $82
Concession $65
Seniors cardholder $74
Preview $64
Under 30 $64

 

Single tickets

Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $103
Adult B Reserve $93
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $81

 

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $108
B Reserve $98

 

Preview performances
All tickets $81

 

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

 

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

 

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 13 Feb 11.30am

Our Education program

 

 

Director Lee Lewis
Set Designer Elizabeth Gadsby
Costume Designer Mel Page
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer & Sound Designer Max Lyandvert
Assistant Director Madeleine Humphreys
Choreographer John O’Connell
Fight Director Nigel Poulton

 

With
Fayssal Bazzi, Caroline Brazier, Simon Burke, Peter Carroll, Tony Cogin, Andrew McFarlane, Rahel Romahn, Helen Thomson, Matthew Whittet, Darcey Wilson

 

Production photos Brett Boardman
Marketing image Rene Vaile

 

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.

 

 

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 21 Jan 6.45pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Past event

 

Night with the Actors
Mon 18 Feb post-show
Mon 25 Feb post-show

 

Matinee Club
Wed 27 Feb 12pm

 

 

★★★★½ Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★½ Limelight
★★★★½ Daily Review ★★★★½ Stage Noise
★★★★Time Out ★★★★ Audrey Journal

★★★★½ "Feminist take on a gripping game of thrones... This production seizes attention and never lets go." Sydney Morning Herald

 

"Highly original and quite thrilling" The Australian

 

★★★★½  "Caroline Brazier and Helen Thomson give career-defining performances ... Absolutely not to be missed." Limelight Magazine

 

★★★★½  "Profoundly moving. [Director Lee Lewis] has calibrated the performances and spectacle with the surest hand and eye... Recommended without reservation." Stage Noise

 

★★★★ "It’s impossible to look away." Time Out

 

★★★★"A rich and satisfying work of theatre and more proof – were it needed – that Kate Mulvany is a stellar talent." Audrey Journal

 

"Kate Mulvany delivers another triumph.... Captivating and enlightening. Written and directed by strong females, the Queens have been given back their voice, their power, and their humanity and speak to the modern generation with heart and humor." Broadway World

 

"A highly intelligent work, Mulvany transposes the ancient story into a contemporary tale foregrounding themes that matter today, with renewed focus on the feminist implications of this conflict between powerful women." Suzy Goes See

 

"You don’t have to be a lover of history to be enthralled by this production." Sydney Arts Guide

 

Audiences are raving 

 

"Oustanding play, production and performances by every cast member. A world premiere not to be missed." Rob, via Facebook

 

"Brilliant, brilliant, BRILLIANT!" Ingrid, via Instagram

 

"Congratulations Sydney Theatre Company on Mary Stuart... stunning light and art direction, incredible story and brilliant performances. Go and see ASAP." Zan, via Instagram

 

"A huge congratulations to cast and crew; what a wonderful production!" Evelyn, via Instagram

 

"The costumes were stunning. Fabulous performances all round." Mary-Helen, via Facebook 

 

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