Playing Beatie Bow

An unmissable Sydney story for the whole family, overflowing with adventure, humour and a little magic.

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

SOLD OUT

Last minute tickets may become available on the day. 

Or try your luck with our ticket access initiative Thirties, where a limited number of $30 tickets are released every Thu 9am. More info

★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ Time Out
★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★ Limelight
“A joyful production to appeal delightfully to young and old.” ★★★★ ArtsHub

PLAYING BEATIE BOW

By Ruth Park
An adaptation for the stage by Kate Mulvany
Directed by Kip Williams

World premiere

Don’t miss this celebrated Sydney story for the whole family

Sydney Theatre Company’s long-awaited return home to The Wharf will be marked by this historic event in Australian theatre.

From playwright Kate Mulvany and Artistic Director Kip Williams, the team that created the epic, multi-award-winning world of The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two, comes a new adaptation of one of Ruth Park’s most beloved Australian stories which is sure to delight audiences of all generations.

Abigail (Catherine Văn-Davies), a teenager dealing with her parents’ messy separation, follows the mysterious young girl Beatie Bow (Sofia Nolan) back through time – from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s The Rocks in the present day to the year 1873, when the suburb was full of struggling immigrant families, gangsters and a whole host of larger-than-life characters. With the help of Beatie, her wise grandmother, and the whole Bow family, Abigail goes on a wild adventure through twisting alleyways of history in a race to find her way home.

This moving human story is set in and around the real-life suburb that STC calls home and will overflow with history, song and sparkling humour. Teenagers, parents and grandparents will all find something to love in this family story – a combination of Mulvany’s characteristic warmth and vivacity and Williams’ monumental vision.

Celebrate the reopening of The Wharf and introduce young people to theatre with this tale full of adventure, surprises and a little magic.

Playing Beatie Bow was developed and produced with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild David Williamson Prize.

Approx. duration 2hrs 50mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info.
Content Theatrical haze.Suitable for 12 years +. Subject to change. More info.

VISITOR SAFETY INFORMATION

100% audience capacity: STC is performing at 100% capacity in line with the current NSW Government Public Health Order. We encourage you to consider your comfort levels in a busy theatre setting before attending.

Face masks are strongly recommended: NSW Health strongly recommends that all audience members over 12 wear a mask in our foyers and theatres, including during the performance. Please bring a face mask with you

The situation is constantly evolving and safety measures may change before your performance. Please check the most up-to-date Visitor Safety Measures prior to your visit.

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $96
Adult B Reserve $86
Seniors cardholder $90
Concession $75
Under 30 $49

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $99
B Reserve $93

Preview performances
All tickets $49

Transaction fees may apply
Single ticket bookings: $8 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

DATES

Previews 22 – 23 Feb 2021
Season 27 Feb – 1 May 2021

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 performances 11.30am

Approx. duration 2hrs 50mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $96
Adult B Reserve $86
Seniors cardholder $90
Concession $75
Under 30 $49

Fri & Sat performances
A Reserve $99
B Reserve $93

Preview performances
All tickets $49

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
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 [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.

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

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Captioned performances
Tue 23 Mar 2021, 6.30pm
Sat 10 Apr 2021, 1.30pm

SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES

Wed 17 Mar 11.30am
Wed 24 Mar 11.30am
Wed 31 Mar 11.30am
Wed 21 Apr 11.30am
Browse our Education program

Director Kip Williams
Set Designer David Fleischer
Costume Designer Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer & Sound Designer Clemence Williams
Choral Director Natalie Gooneratne 
Additional Composition Matthew Doyle
Dramaturg Courtney Stewart
Assistant Director Kenneth Moraleda

With
Tony Cogin, Heather Mitchell, Sofia Nolan, Guy Simon, Catherine Văn-Davies

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 8 Feb 6.45pm
Wharf 1 Theatre
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Past event

Night with the Artists
Mon 8 Mar 6.30pm
Mon 22 Mar 6.30pm

Matinee Club
Wed 10 Mar 12pm
Neilson Family Gallery, The Wharf


“It’s hard to imagine a better show to open the Sydney Theatre Company’s refurbished premises on the old finger wharf at Walsh Bay.” The Australian

★★★★ “It feels like a promise that our stories can be complex and honest and inclusive, that we can rewrite classics to understand ourselves and reflect reality more clearly, and that, most importantly, this is still a space for magic.” The Guardian

★★★★ "Beautiful storytelling through exceptional talent.... This magical time hop has heart to spare in a show the proves the perfect debut for the new Wharf Theatre." Time Out

★★★★ “Making that magic shine on the stage as it does on the page is the rabbit that playwright Kate Mulvany and director Kip Williams have pulled out of the hat.” Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ “Beautifully staged, and is an inspired choice to open the newly refurbished theatre.” Limelight Magazine

★★★★ “A joyful production to appeal delightfully to young and old.” ArtsHub

"Playing Beatie Bow is brought to thundering life in a joyous stage production." The Conversation

“A remarkable warmth emanates from the cast; they seem to be saying that this tale is for all of us, and that we are in this together… Catherine Văn-Davies is powerful as Abigail… Guy Simon is unforgettable in his various roles … Heather Mitchell is a sheer delight …  The precocious Beatie is played by Sofia Nolan, with excellent timing and a formidable exuberance.” Suzy Goes See

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