21.07.22
Dear Grif-friend,
Last week this little theatre on the hill welcomed the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Ben Franklin for a historic announcement: Griffin has been awarded a grant of $5 million from the NSW Government to redevelop the SBW Stables Theatre. This is game changing.
We love every inch of this precious piece of Australian culture—as do you! But our theatre is not accessible. Actors and stage managers are sandwiched into back-of-house. Currently, we have no space to rehearse. There’s a list of things we want to change, but you can be assured that the Stables will remain an intimate and welcoming place to tell urgent Australian stories—just with slightly comfier seats!
We were fortunate to have the Minister return this week to see Golden Blood (黄金血液) by Merlynn Tong—which only runs for another 10 days! One of the best parts of my job is seeing people transported by truly brilliant storytelling. If you want a sense of high-drama, Singaporean-style (minus the endless airport queues!), then come and catch this special piece of theatre gold before it closes next Saturday 30 July.
In the rehearsal room (obvs not ours!), Whitefella Yella Tree by Dylan Van Den Berg is taking shape with the wonderful Callan Purcell and Guy Simon and an impressive creative team. Described as a luminous love story which packs a punch, we’re so proud this play was developed through our Griffin Studio program and can’t wait to share it with you in a couple of weeks.
Next month we also announce the winner of the Griffin Award for 2022, generously supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund. This year’s shortlist is an impressive line-up of very talented playwrights including Alistair Baldwin, Grace Chow, Tasnim Hossain, Eloise Snape and Katy Warner. Tune in on Sunday 21 August when we announce the winner (but to us, they’re all winners!).
Is it really almost August? I will be happy to leave this rainy winter behind and welcome spring. I am almost willing the buds out… but until then, I encourage you to head to this cosy little theatre and share a toast with us to a bright future.
Love,
JC xx
Julieanne Campbell
Executive Director
