The Secret River

The powerful and award-winning play, The Secret River, is sure to attract large audiences during its run at the Playhouse, QPAC. A Sydney Theatre Company production, the play is directed by theatre legend Neil Armfield, with a script by the amazing Andrew Bovell, who scripted Speaking in Tongues - which went on to be adapted as the acclaimed Australian film, Lantana. 

Of course, the play has had its origins in Kate Grenville's book of the same name, and it also ran as a TV series last year. Audiences obviously can't get enough of the uncompromising story of brutality and tragedy. The story sees William Thornhill exiled to the Colony of New South Wales where he wants to claim 100 acres of land, only to come up against Indigenous group, the Dharug people, who occupy the same area. He ends up taking actions that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

The Secret River boasts a stellar cast of talented actors taking on the challenging roles, including award-winning Nathaniel Dean, seen in TV's Underbelly and Puberty Blues and on stage at the Belvoir Street Theatre in the Armfield-directed Gwen of Purgatory. 

Trevor Jamieson is playing the leader of the Dharug people - he's been seen in the film, Rabbit Proof Fence, and TV series such as The Circuit, as well as winning Best Leading Man for Ngapartji Ngapartji at the Sydney Theatre Awards in 2010.

Also from Rabbit Proof Fence and Bran Nue Dae is Ningali Lawford-Wolf, who won the 2011 Australian Centenary Medal for her services to Indigenous performing arts.

The Secret River won six Helpmann Awards including Best Play, Best Direction and Best New Australian work, with The Sunday Telegraph describing it as "a stunning, shattering piece of theatre that goes to the heart of our history." In other words, don't miss it.

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By Vicki Englund