It will be the hottest play of the year – and the cast for Strong is The New Pretty is sizzling, too.
Playwright Suzie Miller’s new work will world premiere at this year’s Brisbane Festival in September and is a co-production of Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions. Wadley, a Brissie girl now based in London, has been a champion of Miller’s work.
Strong is the New Pretty’s writer is hot property internationally after a string of successes including Prima Facie and RBG: Of Many, One. This new play will be directed by Sarah Giles (Opera Queensland’s Rusalka, Sydney Theatre Company’s No Pay? No Way!)
Charting the trailblazing formation of the AFLW, the production will open at Brisbane Festival before touring to Canberra, Geelong and Sydney. The full cast has just been announced.
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Bringing to life the story of how the women’s league transformed from a pipe dream into a major sensation are Lucy Bell (Ensemble Theatre’s The Roommate), who will play Australia’s first female AFL commissioner, Sam Mostyn (current Governor-General of Australia), among other characters; alongside Amy Hack (Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl), Amy Ingram (Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe), Alex King (Bell Shakespeare’s King Lear), Amber McMahon (Belvoir’s Orlando), Tara Morice (Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom), Contessa Treffone (Sydney Theatre Company’s Picnic at Hanging Rock) and newcomer Nyasha Ogden.
Miller, whose work has garnered numerous global accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best New Play for Prima Facie, infuses this monumental story with her signature whip-smart, rapid-fire style. The result is a gripping night at the theatre that’s not just for sport lovers, but anyone looking to be uplifted by an inspiring tale of determination, legacy and pride.
“I’m so excited to bring Strong is the New Pretty to the nation,” Miller says. “It speaks to Australia and celebrates the unique, collaborative way this group of women dreamed something into existence and reclaimed the Aussie mantra ‘fair go’ in a manner that speaks to a new century and a strive for equality in all things.
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“The play traces the life-affirming, heartbreaking and passionate story of the organisers and players of the inaugural AFLW season, showing a different way women make things happen in Australia. One that we can all celebrate and a template for all of us to learn from. It’s funny and emotional, distinctly about ‘us’, and unites lovers of footy and the arts in a theatrical showing for all.”
Brisbane Festival artistic director Ebony Bott says “the women at the heart of Strong is the New Pretty are formidable, resilient and determined, and this production honours their legacy with a cast of equal strength”.
“Bringing together some of Australia’s most accomplished performers, the play captures the courage, persistence and collective spirit that built the AFLW from the ground up. We are thrilled to share its world premiere with Brisbane Festival audiences,” Bott says.
Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Mitchell Butel describes the play as “an epic collaboration between a community of big dreamers, about an epic collaboration of big dreamers”.
“Sydney Theatre Company is thrilled to be partnering with Brisbane Festival and Trish Wadley Productions to bring to life the iconic Suzie Miller’s ingenious, dynamic and heart-stopping exploration of the birth of AFLW,” says Butel.
Taking Miller’s vision from page to stage is a stellar creative team including Christina Smith (designer), Paul Jackson (lighting designer), Clemence Williams (composer), Brady Watkins (sound designer), Craig Wilkinson (video designer) and Kelley Abbey (choreographer).
Strong is the New Pretty plays the Playhouse, QPAC, September 1-19, before touring Canberra, Geelong and Sydney. Strong is the New Pretty is a co-production of Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions. Tickets on sale now.
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