THE WRITER
By Ella Hickson
Directed by Jessica Arthur
Australian premiere
Rebel with a cause
A young writer confronts a director in an empty theatre. In a bristling exchange about his work, the director attempts to disarm her. He flirts. He patronises. He even offers her a job. She stares him down. She wants to do things her way; she wants the world to change shape. And without warning it does, revealing stories nested within stories like Russian dolls, each more brilliant and daring than the last. A play that fractures form and structure, The Writer takes aim at the business of making art – the compromises it demands, the people it chews up, and the endless ways patriarchal power can infect.
Ella Hickson is one of the UK’s most exciting young playwrights and The Writer, which premiered at London’s Almeida Theatre in 2018, has been hailed as “momentous” (Broadway World), “riveting” (The Guardian UK) and “very punk rock” (Time Out London), exploding the very nature of what theatre can be.
Directed by Resident Director Jessica Arthur, the ensemble cast features Emily Barclay (Lethal Indifference), Heath Ledger Award-winner Charmaine Bingwa, Terence Crawford (1984) and Toby Schmitz (The Present). It’s furious, raw and edge-of-seat compelling.
“Electrifying... a thrillingly uninhibited rally against the establishment.” Time Out London
Approx. duration 2hrs (no interval). Subject to change. More info.
Content Adult themes, frequent strong language, sexual references and sex scenes. 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.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $56
Adult A Reserve $56
Seniors cardholder $56
Concession $56
Under 30 $45
Preview $45
Mini Package prices
Fri & Sat A Reserve $63
Adult A Reserve $63
Seniors cardholder $63
Concession $63
Under 30 $48
Preview $48
Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $70
Seniors cardholder $70
Concession $70
Under 30 $50
All B Reserve $65
Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $70
B Reserve $65
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 and Roslyn Packer Theatre. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.
DATES
Previews 20 – 23 Jun 2020
Season 25 Jun – 11 Jul 2020
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
Approx. duration 2hrs (no 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.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $56
Adult A Reserve $56
Seniors cardholder $56
Concession $56
Under 30 $45
Preview $45
Mini Package prices
Fri & Sat A Reserve $63
Adult A Reserve $63
Seniors cardholder $63
Concession $63
Under 30 $48
Preview $48
Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $70
Seniors cardholder $70
Concession $70
Under 30 $50
All B Reserve $65
Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $70
B Reserve $65
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 and Roslyn Packer Theatre. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.
Director Jessica Arthur
Designer Elizabeth Gadsby
Lighting Designer Mark Pennington
Composer & Sound Designer Jessica Dunn
Assistant Director Sarah Hadley
With
Emily Barclay, Charmaine Bingwa, Terence Crawford, Toby Schmitz
Marketing image Rene Vaile and Sherman Lee
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 15 Jun 6.45pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Book tickets
Night with the Artists
Mon 29 Jun post-show
Mon 6 Jul post-show
Praise for Ella Hickson's The Writer.
“The Writer is an eloquent, intellectually agile, vividly written and frequently furious play. It feels like the result of years of pent-up frustration about the way that stories get told on our stages, who tells them and how, and the constant compromises that women are obliged to make in this industry, and in the wider world.” The Stage, UK
“Hickson’s approach is witty, clever and keeps the ground shifting under one’s feet.” The Guardian, UK
“Hickson sets out to expose the unspoken orthodoxies of an art form that, for all it insists otherwise, remains rooted in patriarchal hierarchies and consumerist structures. She succeeds in spades.” Variety, UK
