Gloria is on the brink of making her triumphant return to the stage. A celebrated actor – a star, a celebrity – she’s played every iconic role in the canon of theatrical greats: Nina, Hedda, Hamlet, Clytemnestra. She’s burnt into our eyes, our heart, our imaginations.
Playing the real-life survivor of a sadistic crime, Gloria must immerse herself in the horror of her character’s reality. As Gloria falls further into the abyss, the unravelling of her mind is reflected by the breakdown of order around her.
Through Gloria, we see a portrait of Australia afraid to acknowledge the widening gaps in our society. A beautifully complex and original work, Gloria is at once deeply Australian yet global in its perspective.
Benedict Andrews always dares to take us to the edge of humanity, enthralling audiences with some of the most astonishing and thought-provoking theatre of our time. A role like Gloria demands an exceptional actor – that actor is Marta Dusseldorp. Griffin’s own Lee Lewis directs this exhilarating journey.
This production contains violent and sexual images. There is also the use of strobe and haze. If you have questions regarding the content of the play please do not hesitate to call the Griffin Box Office.
Winner Best Actress in a Mainstage Production, Sydney Theatre Awards
Download the online program
Director Lee Lewis
Associate Director Ben Winspear
Designer Sophie Fletcher
Lighting Designer Luiz Pampolha
A/V Designer Toby Knyvett
Sound Designer Steve Toulmin
Photographer and Video Content Designer Brett Boardman
Stage Manager Natalie Moir
With Kristy Best, Chloe Bayliss, Marta Dusseldorp, Louis Fontaine, Huw Higginson, Max Philips, Meyne Wyatt, Pierce Wilcox
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Monday – Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm
Tuesday 27 September & 4 October 2pm & 7pm
Run Time
2 hours and 30 minutes with a 30 minute interval.
[Images by Brett Boardman]
Trailer, Gloria
“This is a stunning piece of work… Andrews’ script is full of complexities and director Lee Lewis negotiates these brilliantly. As soon as it becomes clear we are not to look for simple narrative coherence, we are set free to take it all in on a visceral level. This is one of her best productions.” John MacCallum, The Australian
“Brilliantly played by Marta Dusseldorp… Director Lee Lewis’s choreography of action and emotion is excellent, with good use made of audio-visuals created by designer Toby Knyvett and videographer Brett Boardman, and Sophie Fletcher’s set module, which takes us from glossy domesticity to grotty green room.” Jason Blake, Sydney Morning Herald
“Lewis’s production is strongly inventive, finding the richness and making sense of the play… And watching Dusseldorp blasting through an extraordinarily difficult role in such an intimate setting is both a thrill and a privilege.” Ben Neutze, Daily Review
“Benedict Andrews has written an absorbing and often profound entertainment of ideas and language and images that floats in a production given the tenderest and cleverest treatment by director Lee Lewis… And no wonder people are talking and flocking to it. It is truly amazing.” Diana Simmonds, Stage Noise
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