Black Swan State Theatre Company of Western Australia acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live.

First Nations People have been telling stories on this country for many thousands of years, and we acknowledge their incredible contribution to the cultural and environmental landscape we reside in.

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Prima Facie Casting Announcement

Written by Black Swan State Theatre Company 27 February 2024 5 min
Rising Australian actor Sophia Forrest has been cast in the pivotal role of Tessa Ensler in Black Swan’s exciting new production of Prima Facie, written by Olivier award-winning playwright Suzie Miller.

“It was a lengthy and very competitive casting process for what many would agree is the role of a lifetime for an actor,” said Artistic Director, Kate Champion. “Sophia grew up in WA and trained at WAAPA, and it is with great pride that I, Sophia, and the rest of the team head into the creation of a local production of this now famous contemporary Australian play. I look forward to seeing Sophia’s sparkling talent and fierce intelligence tackle this demanding role.”

Sophia made their professional theatre debut with Black Swan as the lead role of ‘Eli’, in the supernatural thriller Let the Right One In (2017). They were nominated for Most Popular New Talent at the 2018 Logie Awards for their role in the Network Ten TV series Love Child. Sophia’s numerous feature film credits include Reaching Distance, Warner Bros. Aquaman opposite Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman and Rachel Griffith’s Ride like a Girl opposite Teresa Palmer and Sam Neill. Sophia was most recently seen in ABC’s television drama series Barons and Stan’s Bali 2002.

Sophia said, “I’m honoured to be reanimating this Australian story, which sadly is as deeply reflective of our country’s flawed legal system now, as it was in its premiere during the #MeToo movement. Undertaking Tessa’s momentous journey on both sides of the law is daunting to say the least, but I am excited to be partnering with Kate Champion and her wealth of experience, to take the audience through the perspectives of judge, juror, complainant, and witness. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to take on this masterpiece of Suzie’s and I can’t wait to begin.”

Prima Facie is a call to action for change, and a searing indictment of a legal system that has failed to provide reliable pathways to justice for women in sexual assault cases. It is a direct response to playwright Suzie Miller’s experience as a lawyer in the Human Rights sector and Criminal Justice system.

Tessa Ensler is a brilliant defence barrister addicted to winning. From working-class origins to the top of her game, Tessa will relentlessly prod, probe and cross-examine to bring the shadows of doubt in favour of her clients. However, a shocking turn of events shifts her to the other side of the witness stand, forcing her to confront the intersections of patriarchal power, the burden of proof, and moral ambiguities within the legal system.

Prima Facie achieved significant international acclaim in 2022, making its West End debut before transferring to Broadway in 2023. The production secured the Tony Award for Best Actress for Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and the Olivier Award for Best New Play and Best Actress, in addition to other prestigious honours.

Prima Facie runs from 1 – 21 July in the Heath Ledger Theatre. Single tickets go on sale Wednesday 20 March. 

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