Wikipedia

The Secret River (play)

The Secret River is a play by Australian playwright Andrew Bovell,[1] based upon the 2005 novel of the same name by Kate Grenville. It premiered in Sydney on 8 August 2013.

The Secret River
Written byAndrew Bovell
Date premiered8 January 2013
Place premieredSydney Theatre
Original languageEnglish
SubjectThe Secret River by Kate Grenville
GenreDrama

Synopsis

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Narrated by Dhirrumbin, the drama is about a man who is exiled from London in the eighteenth century, and is sent with his family to a penal colony in the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales, where he hopes to make a new start, but its Indigenous inhabitants, the Dharug people, are not willing to give up their land.

Production

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The play was first produced by the Sydney Theatre Company (STC).[2]

Choreographer and then artistic director for Bangarra Dance Theatre, Stephen Page, was artistic associate for the production.[2]

Performances

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2013

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The STC production of The Secret River had its world premiere on 8 January 2013 at the Sydney Theatre[3] as part of Sydney Festival.[2] The cast included Nathaniel Dean, Trevor Jamieson, Daniel Henshall, Miranda Tapsell, and Ursula Yovich.[3]

2016

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A 2016 remount toured Sydney,[4] Melbourne,[5] and Brisbane.[6]

2017

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In March 2017, a co-production of the State Theatre Company of South Australia and the Sydney Theatre Company, co-directed by Neil Armfield and Geordie Brookman, was staged at Anstey Hill Quarry as part of the Adelaide Festival.[7] The show was a record-breaking success, selling out all performances over its 18 nights, with an audience of 800 each night.[8]

2019

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It was scheduled to tour to Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal National Theatre in London in 2019.[2]

Characters

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Original cast

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The cast for the 2013 production included:[9]

Awards and nominations

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Helpmann awards

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Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2013 13th Helpmann Awards[10] Best Play Won
Best New Australian Work Won
Best Direction of a Play Neil Armfield Won
Best Male Actor in a Play Nathaniel Dean Nominated
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Colin Moody Won
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Miranda Tapsell Nominated
Best Original Score Iain Grandage Won
Best Musical Direction Iain Grandage Won
Best Costume Design Tess Schofield Nominated
Best Scenic Design Stephen Curtis Nominated
Best Lighting Design Mark Howett Nominated

References

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  1. ^ " The Secret River by Andrew Bovell". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Stephen Page". AIDC. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The Secret River". AusStage. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  4. ^ ""The Secret River (2016)"". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. ^ ""The Secret River (2016)"". The Urban Scrapbook. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  6. ^ ""The Secret River (2016)"". Australian Stage. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  7. ^ "The Secret River". AusStage. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  8. ^ Cameron, Ben (31 March 2017). "The rags-to-riches tale behind Anstey Hill quarry, spectacular stage of Adelaide Festival's record-breaking The Secret River". Adelaide Now. Messenger. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  9. ^ "The Secret River" (PDF). Perth Festival 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Helpmann Awards > Winners". HelpmannAwards.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
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