In 1989, 'The Normal Heart' made its Australian premiere at Sydney Theatre Company to roaring standing ovations, in a production that spoke to the terrifying reality of the AIDS crisis.
Almost 40 years later, Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking, semi-autobiographical drama returns to Sydney Theatre Company: a monumental tribute to those we lost, a poignant reminder for those who lived through the epidemic and a revelatory insight into the beginning of a world-changing movement.
Artistic Director and four-time Helpmann Award-winner Mitchell Butel delivers a “poetically heartbreaking” (Limelight) performance as Ned Weeks, a New York writer determined to uncover the truth about the mystery illness decimating his community and the lack of government action in response. Butel is joined by an astonishing ensemble cast – including Tim Draxl (A Place to Call Home), Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon, Dance Academy) and Emma Jones making her Sydney Theatre Company debut with “stoic kindness and unerring intelligence” (InDaily SA) – as members of a community whose passion, humour and love for each other unites them in their fight for survival.
Directed by Dean Bryant (Dear Evan Hansen), this production comes from State Theatre Company South Australia where it was praised as “a complete triumph” (Stage Whispers) and “the stuff of modern theatrical legend” (The Advertiser).
- Playwright: Larry Kramer
- Director: Dean Bryant
- Cast includes: Mitchell Butel, Tim Draxl, Michael Griffins, Emma Jones, Evan Lever, Keiynan Lonsdale and Mark Saturno
