0°C | Thursday November 13, 2025 
18 August 2023
We’ve become accustomed to seeing eclectic, diverse and vibrant productions combined with creative writing and Aussie talent at the Ensemble. The 2024 lineup is no different, if anything it promises to deliver some of the best shows to grace the theatre by the bay.
Highlighting next year’s bill is the return of legendary Australian playwright; David Williamson. He has written classics like Don’s Party, The Club and The Removalist, just to name a few of his 50+ scripts. “I felt the urge to write again,” Williamson said in an interview. “I had a burst of activity. I couldn’t be stopped.” Now he brings us a piece of contemporary significance about a tranquil coastal town’s fight against developers to preserve their slice of heaven. The Great Divide will run from early March and is directed by Mark Killmurry, starring Georgie Parker and Kate Rison.
Another contemporary production set for its world premiere at the Ensemble is McGuffin Park, which captures the Teal trend in the context of a Mayoral election. From the director of the hilarious Boxing Day BBQ; Sam O’Sullivan, strap yourself in for a wild but funny election campaign.
From new stories to old, the premiere productions continue with Joanna Murray-Smith’s Uncle Vanya, an adaptation of Anton Chekov’s classic. Murray-Smith award winning Switzerland will come to life on stage in May, following the life of crime author Patricia (Toni Scanlan) who’s isolation in the swiss alps is disturbed, blurring the line between her writing and reality.
For more writers writing about writers you might want to check out Ulster America; a David Ireland satire on identity politics and power in Hollywood. This production brings the original Outhouse Theatre Company cast to the Ensemble after a wildly successful debut run.
Alone it Stands is perhaps the most ambitious production, at least staging wise, the theatre will feature. It tells the true story of an Irish underdog Rugby Club taking on the mighty New Zealand All Blacks. Grab a beer, pie and enjoy director Janine Watson’s production in late January.
Watson is back at it again with Colder Than Here in September, which follows the eccentric but terminally ill Myra (Hannah Waterman who is planning her own funeral but manages to find laughter in the loss.
Director Melaine Tait is in for another season after this year’s A Broadcast Coup had audiences and critics raving. Tait’s The Queen’s Nanny is set to be just as good as we are invited into the world of nanny Marion and her strained relationship with the Royal Family.
These are just some of the brilliant plays in store with the full schedule available at www.ensemble.com.au.