Into the Shimmering World

A poetic Australian story of love, renewal and living on the land, starring Kerry Armstrong and Colin Friels.

2 Apr - 19 May 2024

Wharf 1 Theatre

The Play

"Imaginative, moving and gloriously theatrical." ★★★★1/2 The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★★ Time Out ★★★★1/2 Limelight ★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★ Suzy Goes See ★★★★ Stage Noise

INTO THE SHIMMERING WORLD

By Angus Cerini
Directed by Paige Rattray

The full force of nature

From the monumental playwriting talents of 2020 Patrick White Playwrights Fellow Angus Cerini (The Bleeding Tree, Wonnangatta) comes this epic and poetic story of love, loss and renewal.

Stage and screen legends Colin Friels and Kerry Armstrong play Ray and Floss, a farming couple who have lived off the land their entire adult lives. Through boom times and bust, they’ve been each other’s support and constant companion. But at the tail end of a once-in-a-generation drought, both are on the precipice of earth-shattering change and transformation.

Into the Shimmering World will beguile audiences with its gothic and dreamlike take on the Australian landscape, its lush and musical language, and its powerful exploration of the depths of our national psyche.

STC Director of New Work and Artistic Development Paige Rattray (Do not go gentle...) will premiere this new Australian masterpiece in the glorious expanse of an extended Wharf 1 Theatre, in a production that is set to be a rich evocation of the mysteries of the natural world and a lyrical look at humanity’s changing relationship to it.

What awaits Ray and Floss when the drought finally breaks?

Approx. duration 90 mins (no interval). Subject to change.
Content Infrequent strong language, references to self-harm, gunshots and loud noises, theatrical haze, flashing lights and complete theatrical blackout. Subject to change.


DATES

Previews 2 – 5 Apr 2024
Season 8 Apr – 19 May 2024

Night with the Artists
Tue 23 Apr, post-show

Audio Described Performances
Tue 30 Apr, 6.30pm

Auslan-Interpreted Performances
Thu 2 May, 7.30pm

Performance start times
Preview performances 7.30pm
In-season evening performances Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 7.30pm; Sun 5pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 1.30pm

SINGLE TICKET PRICES

Mon – Thu
Adult/Seniors Premium Reserve $115
Adult/Seniors A Reserve $105
Adult/Seniors B Reserve $90
Student/Concession Premium Reserve $85
Student/Concession A Reserve $75
Student/Concession B Reserve $60
Under 30s Premium Reserve $65
Under 30s A Reserve $55
Under 30s B Reserve $40

Fri & Sat evening
Premium Reserve $125
A Reserve $115
B Reserve $100

Sat Matinee & Sun
Adult/Seniors Premium Reserve $125
Adult/Seniors A Reserve $115
Adult/Seniors B Reserve $100
Student/Concession Premium Reserve $95
Student/Concession A Reserve $85
Student/Concession B Reserve $70
Under 30s Premium Reserve $75
Under 30s A Reserve $65
Under 30s B Reserve $50

Preview performances
Premium Reserve $63
A Reserve $55
B Reserve $50

Restricted View
Mon – Thu: $55
Fri & Sat evening: $65
Sat Matinee & Sun: $65

Restricted View seats have an impeded view of certain scenes and will be unable to see the entire stage area. 

Groups Discount (10+ people)
Monday – Thursday
Premium $104
A Reserve $95
B Reserve $81

Please call the Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book groups.

Season Ticket Prices

Book this play as part of a Season Ticket and save*. Plus, pay no transaction fees, and enjoy exclusive benefits all year round.

  • Book a Platinum Season Ticket of 10 – 13 plays and save up to 20%
  • Book a Gold Season Ticket of 6 – 9 plays and save up to 15%
  • Book a Silver Season Ticket of 3 – 5 plays and save up to 10%

Seniors discounts
Seniors discounts are an exclusive benefit for Season Ticket Holders. Seniors card holders (excluding Senior Savers Cards) save $5 for all performances except Previews, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
*Discount is off full-price tickets, excluding preview performances.

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings: $0
Single ticket bookings: $8.50

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 seller for this event is Sydney Theatre Company. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.

Director Paige Rattray
Designer David Fleischer
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer & Sound Designer Clemence Williams
Movement Director Frances Rings
Assistant Director Nicole Pingon
Voice & Text Coach Charmian Gradwell

With
Kerry Armstrong, Colin Friels, Renee Lim, James O'Connell, Bruce Spence

Marketing image Rene Vaile
Production images Daniel Boud

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 enews.

"Into the Shimmering World is a superb drama, anchored by a stunning performance from Friels – clear-eyed, powerful, and deeply affecting." ★★★★★ Time Out

"Imaginative, moving and gloriously theatrical." ★★★★1/2 The Sydney Morning Herald

"A jewel of a play." ★★★★1/2 Limelight

"A future Australian classic." ★★★★ The Guardian

"The creativity of this team with Paige Rattray's sensitive, canny direction is both heartbreaking and ravishing." ★★★★ Stage Noise

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