Sydney Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre’s production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s runaway hit, Julia, will return to Melbourne for a strictly limited run at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 25 June ahead of seasons with Queensland Theatre and Merrigong Theatre Company in 2025. Tickets go on sale Thursday 19 December, join the waitlist at www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Justine Clarke will revive her remarkable performance as Julia Gillard, which has garnered widespread praise for her “electrifying” embodiment of Australia’s first female Prime Minister, “played with astonishing restraint” (The Guardian).
A national tour in 2024 concluded with Clarke having performed the role an incredible 198 times to over 100,000 people around the country since the show’s premiere at Canberra Theatre Centre in 2023.
Murray-Smith’s powerful monologue takes us through key moments in Prime Minister Gillard’s life and culminates in a stirring verbatim performance of the famed 2012 ‘misogyny speech’ that sent shockwaves around the world.
Helmed by Helpmann Award-winning director Sarah Goodes (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sunday) this unmissable two-hander examines the indelible impact Gillard’s speech has had on an entire generation.
Julia is both a compelling insight into the person behind the public mask and a searing reflection on the experience of women in contemporary politics.
The superb creative team features designer Renée Mulder, lighting designer Alexander Berlage, composer & sound designer Steve Francis, and video designer Susie Henderson.
Julia plays at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 25 June-19 July 2025. Tickets available from Thursday 19 December 2024 at artscentremelbourne.com.au
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Season 25 June – 19 July 2025
Box Office 1300 182 183 / www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Queensland Theatre, QPAC
Season 16-30 August 2025
Box Office 136 246 / www.queenslandtheatre.com.au
Merrigong Theatre Company, IPAC
Season 3-13 September 2025
Box Office 02 4224 5999 / www.merrigong.com.au
Image: Prudence Upton
