HOLDING THE MAN

HOLDING
THE MAN

  • 9 Mar – 14 Apr 24 Upstairs Theatre

HOLDING
THE MAN

Adapted by Tommy Murphy
From the book by Timothy Conigrave

Directed by Eamon Flack

  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 9 Mar – 14 Apr 24
  • Content warning

    Approximate running times of each production are uploaded to the production page as soon as that information becomes available. During the rehearsal period running times are liable to change given the extensive workshopping and development each production undergoes before it reaches the stage.

    Content warnings will also be uploaded to each production page as they are advised.

    Should you wish to speak to a member of staff regarding running times, content warnings or any other show related queries, our box office can be contacted on 02 9699 3444.

  • Supported by
    • image description

The love story which defined a generation, and a classic of the Australian stage, in a brand new production.

At a Jesuit boys’ school, in 1970s Australia, Tim’s eye falls on the footy captain, John. To their mutual incredulity, they fall in love. A love that lasts as they — and the society around them — change, mature.

When they both test positive to something called HIV, dreams, liberations, boundless possibilities vanish into the ether. But Tim and John have each other, and they’ll need to hold on tight for what’s to come.

Deeply felt, frank and moving, Tim Conigrave’s memoir of living and dying changed Australia. Tommy Murphy’s 2006 adaptation became an instant hit, and brought a new audience to this heartfelt and laugh-out-loud-in-the-sadness story of queer identity and the quirks of love.

Tim’s book is more than a memoir, it’s a social history of our country told through the love and lives of a gay couple – particularly that vanishing time of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Tommy’s adaptation is joyful and bold and crying out for a new production as we reach the thirtieth anniversary of Tim’s death. And these two actors are perfect, perfect for it. It feels right to return it to the Sydney stage so we can remember what we lost and remind ourselves what we found. – Eamon

Performance Times

Weekly Times

  • tuesday 6:30pm

    Except 12 Mar at 7:30pm

  • wednesday 6:30pm
  • thursday 1pm & 7:30pm
  • friday 7:30pm

    No show 29 Mar

  • saturday 2pm & 7:30pm
  • sunday 5pm

    Except 10 Mar at 6:30pm & No show 31 Mar

  • image description Preview Session
  • image description Special Performance
  • image description School Performance
  • image description Audio description

Save with Season Tickets!

With 4-play packages starting from $182* plus a range of ticket types and concessions, there is a package to suit everyone!

General release tickets go on sale 5th December.

*Preview 4-play package

Join Us

TEAM

  • Tommy Murphy
    Playwright
  • Timothy Conigrave
    Original Author
  • Eamon Flack
    Director
    image description

    Eamon Flack is the Artistic Director of Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney. He is a director, writer, dramaturg and script developer for stage and screen.  Eamon was born in Singapore and grew up in Singapore, Darwin, Cootamundra and Brisbane. He has a BA (English and History) from the University of Queensland, and trained as an actor […]

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  • A cast of 6 including

  • Danny Ball
  • Tom Conroy
    image description

    For Belvoir, Tom’s credits include Tell Me I’m Here, My Brilliant Career, Ghosts, Jasper Jones, Mortido, Mother Courage and Her Children, and Small and Tired. Tom’s other theatre credits include 1984, Hay Fever, Spring Awakening (Sydney Theatre Company); The Mousetrap (John Frost/Crossroads Live national tour); The Wider Earth (Queensland Theatre Company/Sydney Festival and 2022 Tour); Cock (Melbourne Theatre Company/La Boite); Romeo and Juliet (State Theatre Company of South Australia); Moth (Malthouse Theatre/Arena […]

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  • Russell Dykstra
  • Rebecca Massey
    image description

    Rebecca Massey is considered one of Australia’s most versatile and accomplished film, television and theatre actresses. She’s been nominated and won numerous awards including a Green Room Award for Best Actress, and two Helpmann nominations. Rebecca has appeared in starring roles for flagship theatre companies all over Australia. Her company Club House Productions produced 44 Sex […]

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  • Guy Simon
  • Shannen Alyce Quan
  • Creatives

  • Mel Page
    Costume Designer
    image description

    Mel is a set and costume designer. Costume designs for Belvoir St Theatre include: Japser Jones, Ivanov, Kill The Messenger, Seventeen, Nora, The Glass Menagerie, A Christmas Carol, Elektra/Orestes, The Government Inspector, Hamlet, Angels In America, & Strange Interlude. Set & Costume designs include: Taste Of Honey, Enemy Of The People, Back At The Dojo, Medea and Small & Tired. […]

    Read full bio

Information
for schools

  • Book your performance

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    TERM ONE

    See this play for:
    AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC

    Recommended for Years 11 – 12

    Curriculum Links

    Drama (Stage 6)
    Preliminary
    • Elements of Production in Performance
    • Theatrical Traditions and Performance Styles 
    HSC
    • Australian Drama and Theatre: Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice (related text) 
    • Individual Project: Performance 
    English Standard (Stage 6)
    HSC
    • Texts and Human Experiences (Common Module) (related text)
    English Advanced (Stage 6)
    Preliminary
    • Narratives that Shape our World (Module A)
    HSC
    • Texts and Human Experiences (Common Module) (related text)

    Schools Performances

    All schools performances are followed by a Q&A session with the cast.
    • Wed, 3 Apr 2024 11:30am
    • Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:30am

    Tickets are only $25 per student with one complimentary teacher ticket for every ten students booked.

    Evening and Matinee Performances

    School groups can book any general public performance. Book our Thursday 1PM matinees for the schools performance price of $25 per ticket, or an evening performance from $45 per student.

    What to expect

    Belvoir creates for a wide audience and our productions may contain mature content. Accurate information about productions including running times and content is available once rehearsals have begun.

    Contact Us

    For more information about our education programs, please get in touch.

    Head of Education Jane May
    Education Manager Stevie Bryant
    +61 (2) 8396 6241

    Book your performance

    Complete this form to request tickets for Holding the Man.
    Want to book multiple productions? Head to our full Schools Booking request

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