Following a sell-out, critically acclaimed, award-winning run as part of Griffin Theatre Company’s 2025 Lookout season, one of Australia’s most exciting rising stars, the blazingly talented Iolanthe brings her cult-hit SISTREN to the Griffin mainstage from 9 April to 3 May 2026 at Belvoir’s Downstairs Theatre.
Isla and Violet are a ‘lethal combination’. Their self-righteous headmaster thinks that’s an insult. They think it’s a cute name for a girl group. Too-smart, too precocious and way too outspoken, it’s no surprise when these self-proclaimed soulmates are S E P A R A T E D until the end of the year.
But the world outside their South London school is a divisive one for a cisgender Caribbean diva and her ‘Ethel Cain adjacent’ transgender bestie. As their cosmic connection is tested, one key question arises – will Isla and Violet be pulled apart, or will they reign supreme?
Directed by Ian Michael (Sydney Theatre Company’s Stolen, Picnic at Hanging Rock) and starring real life besties Iolanthe (Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s seven methods of killing kylie jenner, Belvoir 25A’s The Edit) and the extraordinary Janet Anderson (Belvoir St Theatre’s Orlando, Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s Overflow), SISTREN is like chugging five cans of Red Bull (sugar free, duh!) then doomscrolling YouTube. It’s bringing fabulous to the theatre for a new generation of entertainment-lovers.
“SISTREN shows the future of theatre is in very safe, very smart hands: it’s bold, fearless and gloriously playing by its own rules. We first encountered it through our Griffin Lookout program and it was immediately clear this was a show that deserved a bigger platform,” said Griffin’s Artistic Director Declan Greene.
“Iolanthe and this brilliant team are part of an exciting wave of rising Sydney talent and after last year’s sell-out season, I’m thrilled audiences across Sydney will finally see the electric work they’ve made,” said Greene.
“We call it the ‘SISTREN Universe’ because it’s a state of being, a collective consciousness. It stands directly in opposition to etiquette and archaic rules that restrict behaviour,” said Iolanthe.
“The ‘Universe’ exists in the grey area of overlapping intersections and identities, and yet it is everything but grey. It is pink and fluffy and has Lady Gaga soundbites and smells a bit like stolen perfume and shots of fireball.”
The show’s conceit is this: to love others beyond the bounds of biological relation, gender identity, race or class is indicative of a deep self-love, love for community and liberation.” said Iolanthe.
Chaotic, sprawling, yet laser-focused, audiences won’t want to miss this smash-hit that sold out before it even opened.
Director: Ian Michael | Featuring: Janet Anderson, Iolanthe | Production Designer: Emma White | Lighting Designer: Kelsey Lee | Composer & Sound Designer: Daniel Herten | Video Designer: Tk Abioye | Dramaturg: Dylan Van Den Berg | Community Engagement Strategists: Janet Anderson, Iolanthe
SISTREN
Downstairs Theatre – Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills
Season: 11 April – 3 May 2026 (previews: 9 – 10 April)
Information and Bookings: www.griffintheatre.com.au
Image: Janet Anderson and Iolanthe in SISTREN – photo by Brett Boardman