Eryn Jean Norvill in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Photo: Daniel Boud Download images
Following the extension of the NSW Government stay-at-home orders, Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Kip Williams has announced that the productions White Pearl and The Picture of Dorian Gray, which were scheduled throughout July and August, will be programmed in the Company’s 2022 season.
The news comes just over a week after the Company announced that Triple X - the semi-autobiographical trans love story by two-time Griffin Award-winning playwright Glace Chase - would also be postponed until early 2022.
Since the introduction of restrictions for Greater Sydney in June, STC has cancelled 172 performances nationally across six productions - Grand Horizons, Triple X, White Pearl, The 7 Stages of Grieving, The Picture of Dorian Gray and the Company’s Rough Draft program.
“Along with Triple X, the STC premiere of White Pearl and the encore season of The Picture of Dorian Gray were much-anticipated by our audience,'' Williams said.
“Our cast, crew and creative teams work so hard in preparing these shows for the stage. So while it's heartbreaking to have to cancel more performances, I am thrilled that we have been able to program these productions for our 2022 season. I am so proud of the work that STC has brought to our stages since we first returned last September – something that didn’t seem possible at many points. We are so grateful for the support we received to get us through and remain positive that we will come together in the theatre again as soon as possible”.
More details on the rescheduled performances will be announced at the Company’s 2022 season launch later this year.
Fast-paced dark comedy White Pearl by Anchuli Felicia King - a co-production between STC and Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta - was scheduled to be staged at STC from 15 July to 4 September. Directed by Priscilla Jackman, White Pearl documents the fallout at Singaporean-based cosmetics start-up Clearday after a racist ad for the company’s skin whitening cream goes viral.
Kip Williams' acclaimed adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray stars Eryn Jean Norvill in a one-woman tour de force playing 26 characters. The show premiered to five-star reviews, sold-out audiences and two season extensions in 2020, and was due to play at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from 24 July to 22 August.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Helene Fox, PR Manager (02) 9250 1705 hfox@sydneytheatre.com.au
Notes to Editors
Details of rescheduling: Triple X, White Pearl and The Picture of Dorian Gray are scheduled for early 2022, further details on the season and ticket on-sale will be announced in due course. https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/
Current ticket holders: Ticket bookers are automatically issued a credit voucher that is valid for three years and may be used for any future STC production. They are also given the option of a full refund or to make a tax-deductible donation. Throughout the six month lockdown in 2020, $1.3m worth of tickets to cancelled shows were generously donated back to the Company rather than taken as refunds.
The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW supports entertainment professionals throughout NSW with critical financial help at their greatest time of need. https://www.actorsbenevolentfund.org.au/
STC Philanthropy: STC is one of the biggest employers and providers of creative opportunities in Australia and is proudly market-dependent – it’s the audience buying tickets to shows that keeps the Company going. In the six months when theatres were closed in 2020, STC lost almost $18m in revenue. Private donations directly support STC’s future capacity to create great theatre, with a full workforce made up of Australia’s most inspiring artists both emerging and established. https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/support/donate/donate-now
