Performances
With more than 20 performances of new plays in one week, the National Play Festival is a feast of Australian theatre with something to sample for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We present our first-look performances as polished readings hot from the rehearsal room with editing happening right up to the last minute. You might see actors still reading from their scripts, you won’t see any sets or costumes, but you will definitely see the freshest, most exciting theatre being crafted, molded and brought to life before your eyes.
SHOWCASE
Wed 17 – Sat 20
The Showcase season is the beating heart of the Festival, presenting eight of the very best new plays hand-picked from across the country. With new works from our country’s best-loved writers, and new discoveries from the finest emerging talent, this is where to come to see what’s happening in Australian theatre. … read more
PLAY FOR BREAKFAST
Mon 15 – Sat 20
Tuck into a delicious, nutritious play for breakfast and you can have your cake and eat it, too. Or bagel. Or muffin. The Play for Breakfast series is all about grabbing a coffee and a snack, and enjoying some great local, national and international plays every morning. And the portions are bite-sized, too – running at 30 – 40 minutes, Play for Breakfast is the ideal way to start your day. … read more
THE BESTEST PLAY IN AUSTRALIA
Wed 17 – Sat 20
We set four groups of students a challenge: write the best play in Australia. And we gave them some pointers. We took the eight plays of the Showcase season – hand-picked as being the best in Australia – and by analysing, scrutinising and dissecting we came up with the secrets of success. Based on our scientific analysis, we gave our challengers the secret formula. How they interpret the formula is up to them. Come and judge for yourself which is the bestest play in Australia. … read more
The Bestest Play in Australia is a series of four short performances presented as a prelude to the evening Showcase presentations. Admission to these performances is included when you book tickets to evening Showcase performances or a Late Night Pass.
