LOSE TO WIN

LOSE
TO WIN

  • 25 Apr – 19 May 24 Upstairs Theatre

LOSE
TO WIN

By Mandela Mathia
Directed by Jessica Arthur

  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 25 Apr – 19 May 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.

An extraordinary journey from South Sudan to the Belvoir stage.

“In this country, you think it’s your right to have three meals a day. Me, where I came from? I think it’s a miracle.”

From South Sudan to Egypt to Belvoir St, this is the extraordinary journey of Mandela Mathia. Fleeing his war-torn home as a child, Mandela spent many years journeying, searching, and eventually finding his way to our stage. This is a joyful, poignant solo show, straight from the man who lived it.

A celebration of the South Sudanese community, of resilience, and the power of imagination, Lose To Win is an astonishing modern Australian story.

Few actors bring Mandela’s warmth, depth and breadth to the Belvoir stage. When we were rehearsing The Cherry Orchard and Sami in Paradise he shared anecdotes of his life that would make every jaw drop. Now, in the sure hands of Jessica Arthur’s direction, he’s put his life into a piece of theatre that’s by turns charming and flat-out remarkable. He’s a treasure of the Belvoir stage. – Eamon

Performance Times

Weekly Times

  • tuesday 6:30pm

    No show 30 Apr

  • wednesday 6:30pm

    No show 1 May

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

    Except 3 May at 11:30am (schools) & no show 17 May

  • sunday 2pm

    Except 12 May at 5pm & no show 28 Apr

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

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

  • Mandela Mathia
    Writer
  • Jessica Arthur
    Director
  • Cast

  • Mandela Mathia
  • Creatives

  • Keerthi Subramanyam
    Set and Costume Designer
    image description

    Keerthi is a Sydney based set and costume designer for live performance and film. Keerthi is a National Institute of Dramatic Art, BFA (Design for Performance, 2019) graduate, and a member of the Australian Production Design Guild. Keerthi has designed set and costumes for Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Chewing Gum […]

    Read full bio
  • Brendon Boney
    Sound Designer and Composer
    image description

    Brendon’s work includes At What Cost?, Belvior Theatre, The 7 Stages of Grieving, The Sydney Theatre Company- (Design Associate), Black Ties, Illbijerri Theatre- Musical Director & Composer, Winyanboga Yurringa, Black Cockatoo, Dubboo, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Gods of Wheat Street (ABC1), Redfern Now (SBS), Offspring (Network 10), Winners & Losers (Seven Network), Underbelly Chopper (The Nine […]

    Read full bio
  • Kate Baldwin
    Lighting Designer

Information
for schools

  • Book your performance

      * Required fields

    TERM TWO

    See this play for:
    SOLO PERFORMANCE
    AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

    Recommended for Years 10 – 12

    Curriculum Links

    Drama
    Stage 5
    • Appreciating
      (Outcomes 5.3.1, 5.3.2)
    Stage 6
    Preliminary
    • Improvisation, Playbuilding, Acting
      (Outcomes P2.1, P3.1, P3.2)
    • Theatrical Traditions and Performance Styles
      (Outcomes P3.1, P3.4)
    HSC
    • Individual Project: Performance
    English
    Stage 5
    • Viewing, Responding
      (Drama text)
    Stage 6
    Preliminary
    • Reading to Write
    HSC
    • Texts and Human Experiences (Common Module)
      (related text)

    Schools Performances

    All schools performances are followed by a Q&A session with the cast.
    • Fri, 3 May 2024 11:30am
    • Wed, 8 May 2024 11:30am
    • Tue, 14 May 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 Lose to Win.
    Want to book multiple productions? Head to our full Schools Booking request

      * Required fields

      SUPPORT EDUCATION

      Help us break down barriers, build confidence and unleash creativity – make your donation today.