Outgoing STC Artistic Director Kip Williams announced the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2025 programme last night. It will be his eighth and final season with the company.

Williams said: “It is with immense pride that I share this final season of theatre with you. Australian stories have always been at the heart of my programming at STC and I am thrilled that of the twelve shows in the 2025 season, eight will be by Australian writers.

“Of these, two new STC commissions I am proud to announce are the return of STC Patrick White Fellow Joanna Murray-Smith to the immersive world of Patricia Highsmith with a brand new adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley and, following her sublime adaptations of The Harp in the South and Ruth Park’s Playing Beatie Bow, Kate Mulvany will revive another beloved Australian classic, The Shiralee by D’Arcy Niland.

“From brand new Australian literary works and the best of contemporary international plays, to captivating reimaginings of classics and the return of some of our most popular productions of recent years, ’tis the season for theatre lovers.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to program and present eight seasons of theatre during my tenure as Artistic Director. This is by no means the end of my relationship with this Company that I love so much, but for now, please accept my sincere gratitude for the special time we spent together in the theatre.”

Highlights of the STC 2025 season:

• Following the triumphs of Julia and Switzerland, STC Patrick White Fellow Joanna Murray-Smith reunites with former STC Principal Sarah Goodes to return to the captivating world of Patricia Highsmith with this insightful adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, starring Will McDonald (Heartbreak High)

• Following her magnificent adaptations of The Harp in the South and Ruth Park’s The Game of the Bow, Kate Mulvany will take on another beloved Australian classic, Shiralee by D’Arcy Niland

• STC Resident Ian Michael delves into the mystery and majesty of Tom Wright’s adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, starring Olivia De Jonge and Kirsty Marillier

• For the first time in twenty years, Australian national star Nancye Hayes will return to STC in Amy Herzog’s moving and moving 4000 Miles, directed by STC resident Kenneth Moraleda

• Dean Bryant to direct beloved Australian screen star Rebecca Gibney, who will make her STC debut in Circle Mirror Transformation from Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker

• Following a sold-out premiere season, Melbourne Theatre Company’s spellbinding musical Bloom comes to Sydney with a libretto and lyrics by Working Dog’s Tom Gleisner, music by Katie Weston and direction by STC favourite Dean Bryant

• Congratulations, Grow Rich! by Merlynn Tong, a three-way co-production with Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre and Singapore Repertory Theatre, directed by former STC resident artist Courtney Stewart, is a gripping story about mothers and daughters set in a karaoke bar

• The magnificent Kat Stewart makes her STC debut opposite her husband David Whiteley in the highly acclaimed Red Stitch based on Edward Albee’s book Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, directed by Sarah Goodes

• A pioneering collaboration between renowned lighting designer Nick Schlieper (The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula) and legendary director and actress Pamela Rabe will bring a unique creative brilliance to Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days

• Continuing its valued partnership with Griffin Theatre Company, STC will present an exquisite and profound performance of Whitefella Yella Tree by Palawan writer Dylan Van Den Berg, co-directed by Griffin Artistic Director Declan Greene and Wiradjuri and Worimi theatre creator Amy Sole

• Two of STC’s most successful productions in recent years are returning for further seasons: Verity Laughton’s adaptation of Pip Williams’ bestselling novel The Dictionary of Lost Words and the one and only Heather Mitchell returns by popular demand for her legendary performance in Suzie Miller’s RBG: Of Many, One, directed by Priscilla Jackman

4000 MILES

By Amy Herzog
Directed by Kenneth Moraleda
With Nancye Hayes, Shiv Palekar and Shirong Wu
FEBRUARY 3 – MARCH 23, 2025
Wharf Theatre 1

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

A play by Tom Wright. Adaptation of the novel by Joan Lindsay.
Directed by Ian Michael
With Olivia De Jonge, Kirsty Marillier, Lorinda Merrypor and Masego Pitso
FEBRUARY 17 – APRIL 5, 2025
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS

Adaptation of Pip Williams’ novel by Verity Laughton
Directed by Jessica Arthur
Featuring Arkia Ashraf, Rachel Burke, Ksenja Logos, Shannen Alyce Quan
1 – 22 MAR 2025
Roslyn Packer Theatre

FLOWER

Music by Katie Weston, lyrics by Tom Gleisner
Book by Tom Gleisner
Director Dean Bryant
Featuring Evelyn Krape, Vidya Makan, Mandy McElhinney, Maria Mercedes, Eddie Muliaumaseali’I, John O’May, Christina O’Neill, Jackie Rees, Slone Sudiro, John Waters
29 MAR – 11 MAY 2025
Roslyn Packer Theatre

RBG: OUT OF MANY, ONE

By Suzie Miller
Director Priscilla Jackman
With Heather Mitchell
April 11 – May 17, 2025
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

HAPPY DAYS

By Samuel Beckett
Concept and direction: Nick Schlieper and Pamela Rabe
With Pamela Rabe
5 MAY–29 JUNE 2025
Wharf Theatre 1

ROUND MIRROR TRANSFORMATION

By Annie Baker
Director Dean Bryant
Featuring Ahunim Abebe, Nicholas Brown and Rebecca Gibney
JULY 12 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
Wharf Theatre 1

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

Author: Patricia Highsmith Stage adaptation: Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by Sarah Goodes
With Will McDonald and Andrew McFarlane
AUGUST 19 – SEPTEMBER 28, 2025
Roslyn Packer Theatre

WHITEFELLA YELLA tree

By Dylan Van Den Berg
Directors Declan Greene and Amy Sole
With Joseph Althouse
SEP 19 – OCTOBER 18, 2025
Wharf Theatre 1

SHIRALEE

By D’Arcy Niland Adapted by Kate Mulvany
Director Jessica Arthur Playwright Kip Williams
With Josh McConville, Kate Mulvany, Aaron Pedersen and Ziggy Resnick
OCTOBER 6 – NOVEMBER 22, 2025
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Directed by Sarah Goodes
With Emily Goddard, Kat Stewart, David Whiteley and Harvey Zielinski
NOVEMBER 7 – DECEMBER 14, 2025
Roslyn Packer Theatre

CONGRATULATIONS, GET RICH! (恭喜发财, 人日快乐)

By Merlynn Tong
Directed by Courtney Stewart
With Seong Hui Xuan, Merlynn Tong and Kimie Tsukakoshi
NOVEMBER 21 – DECEMBER 14, 2025
Wharf Theatre 1

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