19.10.23
Dear Grif-friend,
Alex here, Front of House Manager of our rag-tag bunch of theatremakers. You probably know me as the “man with the big back paddock voice” (actual feedback from someone who attended the venue) doing the pre-show announcement in the foyer before you head upstairs. Good to know the skills I have in my acting career come in handy in my day job too!
We’re on the home stretch for 2023! The incredible Blaque Showgirls is in its final week, having been extended due to popular demand. If you haven’t caught Nakkiah Lui’s glitzy, camp, ridiculous, poignant, powerful, crass, fun, political romp then you only have a couple of days to do so—get booking for the last few performances as it is closing this Saturday 21 October. To have this wonderful team of First Nations creatives in the theatre has been an absolute pleasure and audiences have felt the same, giving some amazing feedback to our Front of House team: “So good hey! I loved it, super silly and super fun, need more shows like that. Still something to say too though!”, “It was f***ing chaos, but in the best possible way!”, “Deadly bruz! Deadly!”
These conversations with you all in the foyer after the show are one of the best parts of my job, and I look forward to many more in 2024. The return season of Suzie Miller‘s Jailbaby in January will no doubt stir more discussions of our justice system and the cycles of disadvantage that feed into it—some powerful reactions to the first season included gems like “So powerful, so well-written, so well performed. One of the most powerful shows I’ve seen”, “Phwoar. Brilliant. I trained in law, I’ve worked in prisons, and you can really tell Suzie’s work is informed by real experience. It was the same with Prima Facie”, and “It’s a story that needs to be told.”
Then, from February to April, the SBW Stables Theatre will host a Darlinghurst epic—The Lewis Trilogy by Louis Nowra. I am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts as you immerse yourselves in a full day (or three separate nights) of classic Australian storytelling—an unforgettable way to say a temporary goodbye to our beloved quirky theatre before the exciting redevelopment that kicks off once the Trilogy has its curtain call. But never fear! Our post-show dissections and ruminations will still be happening in other foyers around Sydney as Griffin goes on the road to Carriageworks for swim, to our neighbours at Hayes Theatre Co for Flat Earthers: The Musical and to the Wharf for a return season—Golden Blood.
We want you to be a part of those conversations with us! And the best way to do it is with a subscription to our 2024 Season! You’ll also get additional perks like cheaper ticket prices, discounted drinks at the Stables, and access to discounts and offers from our wonderful partners at Luc San, P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants, Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Hotel Indigo Potts Point, Pinchgut Opera and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
There are so many reasons to jump on board with us on our journey to the Stables and beyond in 2024! I look forward to seeing you, to raising a glass and having a good old yarn about the best Aussie theatregoing.
Cheers!
Alex
Alex Bryant-Smith
Front of House Manager
