The President

A towering European playwright, an international co-production, two of the greatest actors of their generation.

13 Apr - 19 May 2024

Roslyn Packer Theatre

The Play

★★★★ "A brilliant theatrical coup" The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ Limelight ★★★★ Stage Noise

THE PRESIDENT

By Thomas Bernhard
Translated by Gitta Honegger
Directed by Tom Creed

A theatrical masterpiece performed by two icons

Hugo Weaving returns to the stage, joined by one of Ireland’s greatest actors, Olwen Fouéré (Terminus). In a first-time co-production, Sydney Theatre Company will join forces with the renowned Gate Theatre, Dublin to mount this genius piece of twentieth century playwriting. For this rare and remarkable international collaboration, the cast and creative team will be drawn from the finest Irish and Australian theatre-making talents to create an unique, global theatrical event.

Weaving and Fouéré play the President and First Lady of a small, unnamed country, whose regime is under siege. Despite a revolution brewing right outside their front door, the couple seem frozen in time. What follows is a mysterious trip into a complicated marriage and an unravelling political system.

Playwright Thomas Bernhard is one of the most respected European writers of recent times. On par with Beckett and Camus, his darkly comic vision and prophetic voice are both modern marvels.

At the helm is Tom Creed, the award-winning Irish director behind critically-lauded productions at the Edinburgh International Festival, the Barbican Centre in London, and The Public Theater in New York City. With a creative team featuring world-class Australian talent, including Designer Elizabeth Gadsby (Appropriate) and Associate Director Ian Michael (Constellations), Creed will bring this searingly relevant story of ambition, power and change to an Australian audience for the very first time. Along with these two titans of acting, we are in for an extraordinary night of theatre.

Approx. duration 2 hrs 20 mins (including interval). Subject to change.
Content Adult themes, smoking, loud noises and flashing lights. Subject to change.

DATES

Previews 13 – 16 Apr 2024
Season 18 Apr – 18 May 2024

Night with the Artists
Mon 22 Apr, post-show

Captioned Performances
Tue 14 May, 6.30pm
Sat 18 May, 1.30pm 

Auslan-Interpreted Performances
Thu 9 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 $140
Adult/Seniors A Reserve $125
Adult/Seniors B Reserve $110
Student/Concession Premium Reserve $110
Student/Concession A Reserve $95
Student/Concession B Reserve $80
Under 30s Premium Reserve $90
Under 30s A Reserve $75
Under 30s B Reserve $60

Fri & Sat evening
Premium Reserve $155
A Reserve $140
B Reserve $125

Sat Matinee & Sun
Adult/Seniors Premium Reserve $155
Adult/Seniors A Reserve $140
Adult/Seniors B Reserve $125
Student/Concession Premium Reserve $125
Student/Concession A Reserve $110
Student/Concession B Reserve $95
Under 30s Premium Reserve $105
Under 30s A Reserve $90
Under 30s B Reserve $75

Preview performances
Premium Reserve $78
A Reserve $70
B Reserve $60

Groups Discount (10+ people)
Monday – Thursday
Premium $126
A Reserve $113
B Reserve $99

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 Tom Creed
Designer Elizabeth Gadsby
Lighting Designer Sinead McKenna
Music & Sound Stefan Gregory
Movement Director & Intimacy Coordinator Danielle Micich
Dramaturg Tom Wright
Associate Director Ian Michael
Associate Designer Florentina Burcea

With
Danny Adcock, Helmut Bakaitis, Tony Cogin, Alan Dukes, Julie Forsyth, Olwen Fouéré, Kate Gilmore, Hugo Weaving

Marketing image Rich Gilligan

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.

★★★★ "A brilliant theatrical coup" The Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ "Mesmerising, unsettling, wickedly satirical and beautifully crafted" Stage Noise

"Physically, vocally, [Fouéré] is a virtuoso performer"
"Weaving’s attack is impressively varied"
★★★★ Limelight

★★★★ "Rousing" Irish Examiner

★★★★ "Chillingly impressive landmark production" The Stage

★★★★ "Top tier theatre" The Arts Review

"Superb performances...hits like a bolt of energy" The Irish Independent

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