New Michael Gow play, Once in Royal David’s City, to open at Belvoir

Michael Gow – perhaps best known for his 1986 play Away, an English-class syllabus staple – is set to come back to the Australian stage with his first new play since 2007’s Toy Symphony. And you can find him at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre.

Once in Royal David’s City, directed by Eamon Flack (last year’s spectacular Angels in America for Belvoir) finds Will Drummond dealing with the loss of his father and the imminent loss of his mother. And also, theatre has changed, and characters from plays keep appearing. It’s a study of approaching middle age, and and how the world and your place in it can change when you’re not paying attention.

Brendan Cowell. Photo by Gary Heery
Brendan Cowell. Photo by Gary Heery

Other creatives will include composer Alan John, costume designer Me Page, and set and lighting designer Nick Schlieper.

The cast is an assemblage of true theatrical power: Brendan Cowell (Miss Julie) stars as Will and Helen Morse (The Eye of the Storm) will play his mother.

The ensemble includes Helen Buday (Babyteeth), Lola Nixon (Billy Elliot) Tara Morice (An Officer and a Gentleman) Anthony Phelan (Hamlet), and Harry Greenwood (Fury).

Once in Royal David’s City will play Upstairs at Belvoir St Theatre from 8 February  – 23 March 2014, with an audio-described performance on 8 March, a captioned performance on 15 March, and Belvoir’s Unwaged Performance on 20 March.

For more information and to buy tickets visit belvoir.com.au.

Cassie Tongue

Cassie is a theatre critic and arts writer in Sydney, and was the deputy editor of AussieTheatre. She has written for The Guardian, Time Out Sydney, Daily Review, and BroadwayWorld Australia. She is a voter for the Sydney Theatre Awards.

Cassie Tongue

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