The Beauty Queen of Leenane

A pitch-black and savagely funny play by Academy Award-winning writer Martin McDonagh.

Roslyn Packer Theatre

The Play

★★★★★ Time Out  ★★★★½ Limelight 
★★★★ The Guardian  ★★★★ SMH 
★★★★ Stage Noise  ★★★★ Audrey Journal

 

THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE

 

 

By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Paige Rattray

 

Don’t miss Yael Stone and Noni Hazlehurst in the savagely funny hit play The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

 

In a small Irish town in the hills of Connemara, Maureen Folan lives a lonely existence with Mag, her aged mother. Their relationship is more arm wrestle than warm embrace. Now, when Maureen stands a chance at romance and escape, Mag’s cantankerous influence must be dealt with.

 

This play was the first big hit for Martin McDonagh who went on to pen the Broadway and West End hits The Pillowman and The Lieutenant of Inishmore, as well as acclaimed films such as In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. On both stage and screen he combines a biting insight into humanity’s dark side with a devilish sense of humour.

 

STC’s Associate Director Paige Rattray (Black is the New White) leads an incredible cast including Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Noni Hazlehurst (Ladies in Black, Channel 7’s A Place to Call Home), Hamish Michael (How to Rule the World) and Shiv Palekar (The Real Thing).

 

By turns darkly comic and devastating, The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a gripping theatrical experience that will have you gasping and laughing in equal measure.

 

Production Patrons W & A Johnson Family Foundation and Jane & Andrew Clifford

 

Approx. duration 2hrs 10 mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info
Content warning Strong language, violence, adult themes, and use of theatrical haze and complete theatrical blackouts. Subject to change. More info

 

TICKETS

 

Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $114
Adult B Reserve $104
Seniors cardholder $104
Concession $89
Under 30 $83

 

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $124
B Reserve $114

 

Preview performances $83

 

Transaction fees may apply
$8 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.

 

 

DATES

 

Previews 18 - 21 Nov 2019
Season 23 Nov - 21 Dec 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 Days performances 11.30am

 

Approx. duration 2hrs 10 mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info

 

TICKET INFORMATION

 

Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $114
Adult B Reserve $104
Seniors cardholder $104
Concession $89
Under 30 $83

 

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $124
B Reserve $114

 

Preview performances $83

 

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
$8 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.

 

SCHOOLS DAY

 

Tue 26 Nov 11.30am

 

Our Education program

 

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.

 

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

 

Captioned performance
Fri 13 Dec 7.30pm

 

Audio described performance
Sat 14 Dec 1.30pm

 

Auslan interpreted performance
Thu 19 Dec 7.30pm

 

For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.

 

Director Paige Rattray
Designer Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer and Sound Designer Steve Francis
Assistant Director Deborah Brown

 

With
Noni Hazlehurst, Hamish Michael, Shiv Palekar, Yael Stone

 

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 11 Nov 6.45pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Book now

 

Night with the Actors
Mon 2 Dec post-show
Mon 16 Dec post-show

 

Matinee Club
Wed 4 Dec 12pm

★★★★★ "The best acting we’ve seen on a Sydney stage this year; the kind of performances that don’t just seep into your heart and mind, but seem to take up space in your body as you watch them unfold." Time Out

 

★★★★1/2 "Paige Rattray directs a stunning production with such truthful, deeply felt performances from all four cast members that at times you forget you’re at the theatre, it just feels so incredibly, horribly real." Limelight Magazine

 

★★★★ "Yael Stone and Noni Hazlehurst excel in gasp-inducing black comedy." The Guardian

 

★★★★ "Paige Rattray directs the spectacular cast with an eye for detail that makes every move, every fleeting glance tell." Sydney Morning Herald

 

"Dazzling performances heighten poignant, tragicomic battle of wills." The Australian

 

"A magnificently accomplished production... Humour and drama are balanced exquisitely against dread and revulsion, for an entirely mesmerising experience at the theatre." Suzy Goes See

 

★★★★ "The Beauty Queen of Leenane is an uncommonly rewarding play, this iteration of it is splendid. Recommended without reservation." Stage Noise

 

 

Praise for Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane:

 

“The pitch-black tragicomedy that launched Martin McDonagh's career… the play has aged like a bottle of fine Irish whiskey.” Hollywood Reporter

 

“McDonagh re-creates traditional Irish family drama only to set it ablaze with a postmodern blowtorch.” LA Times

 

“Sharp, sinister jewel of a play.” New York Times

 

“Hilariously grim… McDonagh provides just enough rom-com thrill to hook Maureen and the audience before yanking the hook out again, as if through flesh.” Vulture

 

 

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