11.12.25
Dear Grif-family,
Last night I was sitting in my local takeaway joint—an Indo-Chinese hole-in-the-wall that does the best Hainanese Chicken this side of Parramatta—when I spied a poster for Naturism by Ang Collins. It instantly brought a smile to my face. The show wrapped less than a month ago but already I have nostalgia for it. I love the ephemeral nature of theatre. Unlike an artwork or a film, or even your favourite restaurant or song—theatre is a moment in time that you can’t get back, making it all the more special when it’s gone.
And here we are at the end of 2025 with another year “in the bag”. At Griffin, we start the year both nervous and thrilled at the possibility of all that new Australian work. And now, stories that were once unfamiliar I can recite lines from like a well-read storybook. I think we’re all feeling a little proud, very tired and ready for long and lazy summer afternoons where the only decision I need to make is whether I have another swim or nap.
But the year is not quite over for Griffin! We have the legendary Griffin Award still open through to 4 January 2026 for anyone with that script burning in their bottom drawer or a spark in their mind—or nudge your playwright friend to submit their pitch and maybe be our next winner in 2026 alongside alumni greats Angus Cerini, Suzie Miller, Ian Wilding and many other legends.
Last month we reached a significant milestone for the redevelopment of the SBW Stables Theatre. After weeks and weeks of digging (around five metres underneath the site of the Stables) and very noisy excavation, the ground slab of concrete was poured and for the first time we saw the outline of the lower level of Griffin’s new home—where the stairs will go, the lift shaft, the rehearsal room, the courtyard. It was all primitive and just bits of concrete and steel, but you could see the individual spaces clearly. And while many of us have nostalgia for the old building, seeing the shape of our new home sent a ripple of excitement through us Griffs. If you want to stay up to date with the redevelopment, sign up to our Redevelopment eNews for progress updates and lots of pics!
But before we excitedly return home, we still have our 2026 Season to share with you—seven carefully curated new and reimagined Australian works during our year-in-residence at Belvoir St Theatre. If you have not yet subscribed for 2026, give yourself a pre-Xmas treat for what is the most affordable theatre subscription in Sydney and, of course, the best (bias intended!).
If you’re stuck for gift ideas before Christmas, why not gift a gift certificate—redeemable for any show, or better yet, a subscription. Our delightfully helpful Customer Relations team Gavin, Blake and Nathan can help you out before we shut down for the holidays or purchase online at any hour. I can confidently say that every generation is catered for in next year’s season and if you’re like me and enjoy skating between them all, then your smorgasbord of theatre in 2026 is sorted. And for anyone who hasn’t quite got their 2026 calendar (I’m one of them!), you can get general release tickets for steve j. spears‘s The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin now.
As a final sign off for 2025, I also want to thank you. Your love and belief in Australian theatre is what keeps us going. New stories, ones we may not have heard before or ones that are deeply familiar. You are our family and we wish you a joyous and delicious festive season and can’t wait to see you again in 2026 for more of what we love.
Love,
JC
Julieanne Campbell
Executive Director & Co-CEO
