All-star cast steps into battle as TROY rehearsals begin

Rehearsals have officially begun for Malthouse’s Troy, the epic new production written by Tom Wright and directed by Ian Michael opening at Merlyn Theatre next month. This bold retelling of the ancient Greek myth features a powerhouse ensemble of Australian stage talent, each taking on iconic roles from the Trojan legend.

Paula Arundell, known for her commanding stage presence in The Birds and Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, steps into the role of Hecuba, the fierce and grieving Queen of Troy. Elizabeth Blackmore (Death of a Salesman) plays Cassandra, the doomed prophetess whose truths go unheeded.

Rising star Ciline Ajobong (Mustangs FC) will make their mainstage debut in the dual roles of Cressida, a young woman navigating love and betrayal, and Iphigenia, the innocent daughter sacrificed to appease the gods.

 

 

Danny Ball (Loaded) brings mythic scale and emotional depth to his portrayals of both Apollo, the vengeful god, and Achilles, the legendary Greek warrior. Geraldine Hakewill (Gaslight) embodies Clytemnestra, a queen forever altered by loss and revenge.

Mark Leonard Winter (A Streetcar Named Desire) tackles two towering figures of the epic -Agamemnon, the commanding yet conflicted leader of the Greeks, and Hector, Troy’s noble defender. Rounding out the cast is Lyndon Watts (Hamilton), who brings striking contrast to the roles of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest companion, and Helen of Troy, the woman at the centre of the conflict.

Director Ian Michael:

We couldn’t be more thrilled with the extraordinary cast we’ve brought together at Melbourne’s Malthouse. Each performer is fearless, incredibly skilled, and fully committed to this demanding work. From our very first day of rehearsals, the energy has been electric. I feel privileged to collaborate with such exceptional artists to bring another of Tom’s adaptations to life. Troy is raw, dynamic, and deeply human.

Michael, currently Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company, has garnered widespread acclaim for his productions of Picnic at Hanging Rock (2025), Stolen (2024) and Constellations(2023), as well as his work alongside Kip Williams on STC’s groundbreaking cine-theatre productions.

Troy is brought to life by a visionary creative team, with set and costumes by Dann Barber, lighting by Paul Jackson, original composition by Rosalind Hall, and sound design by Marco Cher.

Troy revisits the Trojan War with visceral physicality, poetic force, and contemporary urgency. The production will plunge audiences into a world where gods and mortals collide, battles are fought on mythic and emotional frontlines, and violence reverberates across generations.

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Season Details

Venue: Merlyn Theatre
Date: 04-25 Sept  2025

For more information click HERE