A powerful family drama from one of Australia’s master playwrights, Theatre Works presents the Victorian premiere of Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell for a limited season from 19 April 2024.
Bob and Fran have worked for thirty years to build a home and raise a family. Now that the children have grown and moved out, it’s their time to sit back and smell the roses.
But as the seasons pass over the course of a year, each of their four children return to reveal a shattering truth that causes them to question the very foundations on which their family is built.
Things I Know to be True is about loving too much, not loving enough, and trying to find the right place in between.
One of Australia’s most celebrated and revered playwrights, Andrew Bovell’s (Lantana, The Secret River, When the Rain Stops Falling) classic new play received rave reviews upon its premiere in Adelaide in 2016 (co-presented by the State theatre Company of South Australia and Frantic Assembly) and subsequent tour of the UK, and will soon be adapted into a six-part miniseries starring Nicole Kidman.
Following the success of his recent productions of In The Club by Patricia Cornelius at Theatre Works and The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez at fortyfivedownstairs, Kitan Petkovski directs a stellar cast lead by renowned screen and stage actor Belinda McClory (This is Living, Malthouse).
McLory is joined by Ben Grant (Ex Machina’s Playing Cards: Hearts), Brigid Gallacher (In the Club), Tomáš Kantor (Twelfth Night, Bell Shakespeare), Joss McClelland (The Inheritance) and Eva Rees (Hour of the Wolf, Malthouse) – in what is sure to be another epic and unmissable production.
“Andrew has crafted a beautiful, emotionally charged, and candid portrayal of an Australian suburban family,” says Petkovski. “There is something timeless about narratives that explore family dynamics. This play reinforces the idea that no family is perfect.”
“It reminds us to try and see the world through our parents’ eyes (even when they are wrong!) and that they will always see us as their children. I am interested in exploring this kind of unconditional love.”
“The Price family’s love for each other is undeniable. Each of the four siblings want to make their parents proud – like we all do. However, sometimes the idea of what our parents want for us and what we want for ourselves can be worlds apart,” says Petkovski.
“I’m thrilled that Melbourne audiences will have a chance to see this play at Theatre Works, which is a space I have a long history with,” says Bovell. “The original production of After Dinner transferred there from La Mama in 1989.”
“I lived down the road from the theatre for many years. It feels like coming home. And after Kitan’s recent successes, I am so interested to see what he does with it.”
Director: Kitan Petkovski | Featuring: Belinda McClory, Ben Grant, Brigid Gallacher, Tomáš Kantor, Joss McClelland, Eva Rees | Set and Costume Designer: Bethany J Fellows | Composition and Sound Designer: Ian Moorhead | Lighting Designer: Aron Murray | Production and Stage Manager: Tiah Bullock | Consent and Intimacy Consultant: Bayley Turner | Sound Operator: Daniel Gigliotti | Fight Choreography: Lyndall Grant | Theatre Works Venue and Technical Manager: Laura Hook | Theatre Works Executive Director: Dianne Toulson | Theatre Works Company Producer: Belle Hansen
Things I know To Be True
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 23 April – 4 May 2024 (previews: 19 & 20 April)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Belinda McClory stars in Things I know To Be True – photo by Morgan Roberts