Inspired by the early stirrings of the American gay rights movement, New Theatre presents Topher Payne’s Perfect Arrangement, as part of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, until 7 March.
It’s 1950s America, and a new colour has been added to the Red Scare: lavender. The Lavender Scare saw LGBTQ+ people interrogated, outed, and dismissed from government service in a sweeping campaign of fear and moral panic.
Enter Bob and Norma, two U.S. State Department employees tasked with identifying and reporting “sexual deviants” within their ranks. There’s just one problem: both Bob and Norma are gay, and are married to each other’s partners as a carefully constructed ruse.
This madcap, classic-sitcom set-up gradually gives way to sharp, provocative drama, as two “All-American” couples find themselves staring down the closet door — and the cost of keeping it shut.
Lead by returning director Patrick Kennedy (The Flea, New Theatre 2025, CEO of Sydney Fringe) the ensemble cast includes some brand new faces, and some familiar ones! Brock Cramond (Debut), Huxley Forras (Debut), Lucinda Jurd (Debut), Dominique Purdue (The Other End of the Afternoon, Significant Other, Collaborators), Brooke Ryan (Debut), Jordan Thompson (Debut), and Luke Visentin (Present Laughter, Hir, The Vibrator Play, Control, Atlantis).
“It’s funny, fast and beautifully constructed. But beyond that, I hope it’s a gentle invitation to reflect on the ways we still contort ourselves to fit expectations. Around relationships, identity, work and success. Even if the social rules have changed. The play reminds us that progress isn’t abstract: it’s lived, negotiated and often deeply personal,” said Kennedy.
“Usually, a playwright has to choose between writing a laugh-out-loud comedy and a very serious drama. Topher Payne has written both with Perfect Arrangement.” – Theatre Mania
Perfect Arrangement
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown
Season continues to 7 March 2026
Information and Bookings: www.newtheatre.org.au
Image: New Theatre presents Perfect Arrangement by Topher Payne – photo by Bob Seary