Kate Champion announces our 2025 Season
When planning a Season we think a lot about what each play ‘does’, and by that I mean the way we balance the whole program. A bit like planning a meal, making sure that there’s undeniable substance, diverse nutrition, flavours which are complimentary yet at times unexpected, delivered with a sprinkling of surprising spices.
We begin with an undeniably substantial offering of the American contemporary classic August Osage County. An astounding portrayal of a family’s implosion reflecting a country’s own disintegrating facade. This is a theatrical coup for Perth audiences and will feature seven local actors alongside members from Belvoir Theatre’s production. This is definitely a ‘don’t miss’ exceptional piece of drama.
Next up is Blue - a beautifully insightful story about a young man’s evolution from boy to man through a process of coming to terms with loss and finding the unexpected rich life lessons hidden inside the heartache. A surprisingly uplifting experience as we witness this young man’s frank and open-hearted coming-of-age tale.
Speaking of meals - Never Have I Ever is a culinary, theatrical feast of humour, savvy political insights, outrageous twists and turns and joyous mayhem. I rarely read a play that I genuinely can’t put down, but this is that play. Undeniably contemporary, genuinely fresh and delightfully contentious. This is a dinner party that leaves its guests reeling with their lives changed - it may just do the same to you.
Now regarded as an Australian classic, Speaking in Tongues was famously adapted for screen into the renowned film Lantana. The cleverly crafted tale haunts us with its sliding door possibilities making us each question, in a very personal way, ‘what if I….?’ Finely balanced notions of fate and purpose fill its multi-layered narrative leaving us to contemplate the vital significance and inevitable consequence of every decision we make.
Love him or love him less, no-one can deny the intriguing complexity of Paul Keating’s personality. A leader who changed the course of our country and who to this day can still ruffle feathers, The Gospel According to Paul is a must-see for anyone who is interested in why people enter politics and what it’s like on the inside. Laden with Keating’s acerbic wit and unmatched eviscerating witticisms, you’ll find this experience surprisingly moving and endlessly entertaining.
Raised in Big Spirit Country - a taste of Broome - is the culmination of a two-year engagement with our Broome-based Artistic Associate Naomi Pigram.
Born amongst the artistic giants who created the ‘Broome sound’ and who were integral to legendary productions such as Bran Nue Dae and Corrugation Road - Naomi’s life has been steeped in the riches of this bountiful creative legacy. Significantly she now finds herself centred between the vital history of Broome’s past, her own creative material and the equally significant creative rite of passage of the next generation. This vibrant concert will bring this multi-generational talent to Perth to showcase and celebrate the influential past and the voices of the future.
Christmas holds differing associations for everyone. For Carol Christmas is ultimately a time of giving, particularly through her treasured role as Grandmother.
This brand-new play Carol takes us along the lead up to Christmas through the eyes of a woman who has unexpectedly found herself on the margins of society. With a Kmart choir and a homeless Santa in tow, Carol ultimately finds genuine season’s cheer through unexpected alliances, new perspectives and unprecedented resilience.
I hope you find a lot to devour in our new season!
Bon appétit!
KATE CHAMPION
Artistic Director
