Chalkface

A rowdy, rollicking, new Australian comedy with Catherine McClements and Stephanie Somerville.

15 Sep - 29 Oct 2022

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

The Play

CHALKFACE

by Angela Betzien
Directed by Jessica Arthur

What happens in the staff room, stays in the staff room.

Played by the fantastic Catherine McClements, Pat is a jaded, stalwart primary school teacher who isn’t afraid to voice her opinions: all kids are terrors, the school’s a zoo and her colleagues are nitwits. Enter Anna, played by Stephanie Somerville in her STC mainstage debut, who is bright-eyed, idealistic and just out of university. Anna’s going to change the world, one gold star at a time.

As you might suspect, these two don’t quite see eye to eye.

In a hilarious new black comedy from the brilliant mind of Angela Betzien (The Hanging, ABC’s Total Control), audiences will get a sneak peek into one of society’s biggest mysteries: the teachers’ staff room.

STC Resident Director Jessica Arthur (Grand Horizons, Home, I’m Darling) leads the cast, also featuring Ezra Juanta, Michelle Ny, Nathan O’Keefe, and Susan Prior. This premiere production will be a laugh-a-minute tribute to one of our noblest and most underappreciated professions and an irreverent jab at privatisation, bureaucracy and workplace culture.

A mashup of The Office and Teachers, Chalkface is the rowdy tale of two teachers who must put their differences aside to stand up for what’s right – even if it means throwing out the rule book altogether.

Approx. duration 1hr 45mins (no interval). Subject to change. More info.
Content Strong coarse language, adult themes, strobe-like effects, loud noises, haze/smoke, herbal cigarettes, references to drug use. Subject to change. More info.

VISITOR SAFETY INFORMATION

This production will proceed at 100% capacity. The safety of our audiences, artists and staff is of paramount importance. We’ve implemented extensive safety and hygiene measures which are regularly updated in line with NSW Government guidelines. This is an evolving situation and our COVID-19 safety protocols are subject to change. Please check the most up-to-date Visitor Safety Measures prior to your visit.

TICKET INFORMATION

Book an Act 2 ticket package of 2 or more plays to save on tickets, pay no fees and more.

Book-now-button-185-37

Single tickets to this play are on sale now.

Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $98
Adult A Reserve $93
Seniors cardholder $89
Pensioner/Student $70
Under 30 $51
Preview $51

Mini Package prices
Friday & Saturday $103
Adult $98
Seniors cardholder $94
Pensioner/Student $74
Under 30 $54
Preview $54

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $104
Seniors card holder $99
Concession $78
Under 30 $57

Fri & Sat performances
All tickets $109

Preview performances
All tickets $57

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket & Mini Package bookings: no fees
Single ticket bookings: $8.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

DATES

Previews 15 – 16 Sep 2022
Season 19 Sep – 29 Oct 2022

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 1hr 45mins (no interval). Subject to change. More info.

TICKET INFORMATION

Book an Act 2 ticket package of 2 or more plays to save on tickets, pay no fees and more.

Book-now-button-185-37

Single tickets to this play are on sale now.

Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $98
Adult A Reserve $93
Seniors cardholder $89
Pensioner/Student $70
Under 30 $51
Preview $51

Mini Package prices
Friday & Saturday $103
Adult $98
Seniors cardholder $94
Pensioner/Student $74
Under 30 $54
Preview $54

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $104
Seniors card holder $99
Concession $78
Under 30 $57

Fri & Sat performances
All tickets $109

Preview performances
All tickets $57

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket & Mini Package bookings: no fees
Single ticket bookings: $8.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

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. More info.

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

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Audio Described Performances
Sat 8 Oct, 1.30pm

Captioned Performances
Tue 11 Oct, 6.30pm
Sat 15 Oct, 1.30pm

Auslan-Interpreted Performances
Thu 20 Oct, 7.30pm

Director Jessica Arthur
Designer Ailsa Paterson
Lighting Designer Mark Shelton
Composer & Sound Designer Jessica Dunn
Assistant Director Clement Rukundo

With
Ezra Juanta, Catherine McClements, Michelle Ny, Nathan O’Keefe, Susan Prior, Stephanie Somerville

Understudies
Ana Maria Belo, Glenn Hazeldine, Shirong Wu

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 12 Sep, 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre

Night with the Artists
Mon 26 Sep, post-show
Mon 17 Oct, post-show

REVIEWS

★★★★★ (Glam Adelaide)

★★★★ "a madcap romp; a darkly humorous class worth taking" (Limelight)

★★★★ "eminently and hilariously successful" (ArtsHub) 

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