★★★★ "Ferociously funny" Time Out
★★★★★ ArtsHub | ★★★★ Limelight
★★★★1/2 2CH | ★★★★ Audrey Journal
"A delicious production" The Australian
NO PAY? NO WAY!
By Dario Fo
In a new adaptation by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Sarah Giles
World premiere
A riotous comedy about getting what you’re owed
A whip-smart new adaptation of a raucous 70s farce from ABC TV’s comedy powerhouse Marieke Hardy, starring the incomparable Helen Thomson (Mary Stuart), “a rare comedic talent” (Daily Review).
Prices are out of control – and so is Antonia. Sick of having barely enough to pay the gas bill, she leads an uprising at a local supermarket that sees a group of angry housewives shoplift ‘til they drop. Now, with a pile of newly “liberated” loot, Antonia and her best friend Margherita embark on a ludicrous, laugh-a-minute escapade, keeping their well-meaning but bumbling husbands in the dark and staying three steps ahead of the coppers.
No Pay? No Way! (sometimes known as Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!) is the work of Dario Fo, Nobel Laureate and the master of theatrical farce. True to form, the show mixes political satire, hilarious plot twists and sharp-as-a-tack dialogue to create a thrilling experience.
Brought to life by director Sarah Giles (Accidental Death of an Anarchist), Thomson is joined by a cast of Catherine Văn-Davies (Going Down), Glenn Hazeldine (Così), Rahel Romahn (Lord of the Flies) and Aaron Tsindos (Muriel's Wedding the Musical). Exhilarating, insightful and chaotically funny, No Pay? No Way! is not to be missed.
“I didn’t nick it. I liberated it.” Antonia
Parramatta Season Co-presented with Riverside Theatres
Approx. duration 2hrs 20mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info.
Content Sexual references and frequent strong language. Subject to change. More info.
No Pay? No Way! was adapted from the original Italian text Sotto Paga! Non Si Paga! by Dario Fo and Franca Rame.
SELECT YOUR VENUE TO BOOK
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House,
10 Feb – 28 Mar
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
1 Apr – 4 Apr
TICKET INFORMATION
2020 Ticket Packages - book more and save!
A Season Ticket of 6+ plays saves you at least 20% on full price single tickets, with loads of flexibility and exclusive benefits through the year. Or book a Mini Package of 3 – 5 plays. More info.
Please note this play will be presented at two different venues – Sydney Opera House, and Riverside Theatres Parramatta. You can only select one venue for your Season Ticket pack. Exchanges are not permitted between venues.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $88
Adult A Reserve $82
Seniors cardholder $74
Concession $65
Under 30 $45
Preview $45
Mini Package prices
Fri & Sat A Reserve $99
Adult A Reserve $92.70
Seniors cardholder $83.70
Concession $73.80
Under 30 $48
Preview $48
Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $103
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $50
Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $110
Preview performances
All tickets $50
Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings (packs of 6 or more plays): no fees
Single ticket bookings: $8 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter
Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event are Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.
DATES
Previews 10 – 13 Feb 2020
Season 15 Feb – 28 Mar 2020 | Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Season 1 – 4 Apr 2020 | Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Performance start times
Preview performances 8pm
In-season evening performances at Sydney Opera House Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 8pm
In-season evening performances at Riverside Theatre Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm
Schools performance Mon 16 Mar 6.30pm; Wed 18 Mar 1pm, Fri 3 Apr 11.30am
Approx. duration 2hrs 20mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info.
TICKET INFORMATION
2020 Ticket Packages - book more and save!
A Season Ticket of 6+ plays saves you at least 20% on full price single tickets, with loads of flexibility and exclusive benefits through the year. Or book a Mini Package of 3 – 5 plays. More info.
Please note this play will be presented at two different venues – Sydney Opera House, and Riverside Theatres Parramatta. You can only select one venue for your Season Ticket pack. Exchanges are not permitted between venues.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $88
Adult A Reserve $82
Seniors cardholder $74
Concession $65
Under 30 $45
Preview $45
Mini Package prices
Fri & Sat A Reserve $99
Adult A Reserve $92.70
Seniors cardholder $83.70
Concession $73.80
Under 30 $48
Preview $48
Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $103
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $50
Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $110
Preview performances
All tickets $50
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: $8 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 boxoffice@sydneytheatre.com.au. Please quote your booking reference number.
Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.
Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event are Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.
SCHOOLS SHOW
Mon 16 Mar 6.30pm – Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Wed 18 Mar 1pm – Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Fri 3 Apr 11.30am – Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Browse our full Education program
Director Sarah Giles
Designer Charles Davis
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer and Sound Designer Steve Francis
Assistant Director Madeleine Humphreys
Movement Director Tim Dashwood
Associate Lighting Designer (Parramatta) Veronique Benett
With
Glenn Hazeldine, Rahel Romahn, Helen Thomson, Aaron Tsindos, Catherine Văn-Davies
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.
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 3 Feb 6.45pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Book tickets
Night with the Artists
Mon 2 Mar post-show
Mon 9 Mar post-show
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING
★★★★ "A ferociously funny piece of political theatre... The production is blessed with a first-rate cast of Sydney theatre’s best comedic players." Time Out Sydney
★★★★★ “A complete joy to watch... Liberation takes many forms in this stellar offering which contorts riotously for two hours to hit the frontal lobe along with the funny bone.” ArtsHub
★★★★ “A riotous, ridiculous delight with a sting in its tail… I haven’t heard an audience laugh so loud for a long time.” Limelight Magazine
★★★★ "Helen Thomson is deftly hilarious... Featuring stellar comic talents, this production of Dario Fo's satirical farce is among the funniest Sydney Theatre Company has put to the stage in years.” Audrey Journal
★★★★1/2 "No Pay? No Way! is a frenzy of laughs." 2CH
"[A] delicious production by Sarah Giles... a very funny show" The Australian
"Funny? There has to be a stronger word? Funny? If I wasn't sitting down, I'd have fallen over. I mean, at one point I was crying.“ Sydney Morning Herald
"Director Sarah Giles’ rendering of the play is relentlessly energetic, for scenes of hilarity that tickle us from start to end. Although the laughs are incessant, hearty and thoroughly enjoyable, not one moment goes by that lets us forget the politics being discussed.” Suzy Goes See
"It’s an ingenious design – by Charles Davis, lit by Paul Jackson – with a 1970s tenement block-cum-Transformer that gets its own round of applause." Stage Noise
WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING
"Absolutely hilarious!” Helen, via Facebook
"We laughed solid for 2 hours. Highly recommended!” Catherine, via Facebook
"I was quite literally doubled over laughing. Helen Thomson is a goddess and possess one of the widest ranges in Australia. Absolutely go see it." Nathaneal, via Twitter
"Funniest play ever. Laughing from beginning to end" Frances, via Facebook
"Amazing production! Engaging and hilarious. Loved every minute of it" Lisa, via Facebook
"FUNNY. Absolutely brilliant.” Rachel, via Facebook
"The best night out. So many laughs. We loved it.” Pauline, via Instagram
