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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Season 2017

Switzerland

Past Show

19 Aug - 03 Sep

Heath Ledger Theatre

Patricia Highsmith lives a reclusive life in the Swiss Alps in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.

Switzerland

WA PREMIERE

The late Patricia Highsmith penned some of the most exhilarating suspense novels of all time, some becoming major cinematic adaptations including; The Price of Salt recently released as the ﬁlm Carol, The Talented Mr Ripley and Strangers on a Train. Now the acerbic author herself is centre stage in this edge-of-your-seat thriller by acclaimed Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith (Honour, The Female of The Species, Ninety and Day One, A Hotel, Evening).

The subject – writer Patricia Highsmith, lives a reclusive life in the Swiss Alps surrounded by her collection of books and antique weapons. The prickly genius facing the end of her life has withdrawn completely from the world, ﬁnding solace in her seclusion, her cats and cigarettes. Until one day a young man, Edward Ridgeway, intrudes into her place of refuge. He’s yet another irritating delegate from her publisher demanding a contract for one ﬁnal instalment. Speciﬁcally another psychological thriller featuring her beloved muse and most infamous literary creation, Tom Ripley.

Winner, Best New Australian Work at the Sydney Theatre Awards (2014), and programmed by almost every state theatre company in the country – it’s now our turn to lure you into a booby-trapped plot, a tense and furious battle of wills and words.

Dates

19 Aug - 03 Sep

Venue

Heath Ledger Theatre

Duration

1 hour 40 mins (no interval)

Content Warning

Contains some adult themes and simulated smoking.