Archived

Packer
& Sons

By Tommy Murphy
Director Eamon Flack

Tommy Murphy and Belvoir gratefully acknowledge that aspects of this play are inspired by Paul Barry’s books, The Rise & Rise of Kerry Packer, Rich Kids, and Who Wants to be a Billionaire.’

 
  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 16 November 2019 – 5 January 2020
  • Duration 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)

SEASON EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
New shows added for Packer & Sons until 5 January 2020!

Tommy writes real life like no one else – robust and brilliant, complex dramatic portraits, a pitch-perfect sense of the public interest in the private life. In other words, no one is better suited to write about the Packer line. This is about power in Sydney, and fathers and sons across generations, and the childhood traumas that drive us forward.

From humble beginnings, the myth of the Packer dynasty grows in step with their increasing influence, as each son feels the weight of time, of power. Newspapers, magazines, broadcast TV – what are they? How does each generation keep the empire one step ahead of the technological race, declare himself free of the shadow of his father and build a lasting legacy.

A deeply researched, muscular work, Packer & Sons puts on stage the men who have loomed large over Sydney for nearly a century, following the transitions of power from father to son over three generations.

Supported by Australian Writers’ Guild’s David Williamson Prize, The Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, and the Walking Up the Hill Foundation.

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Team

Set and Costume Designer Romanie Harper
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer Alan John
Sound Designer David Bergman & Steve Francis
Movement and Fight Director Nigel Poulton
Assistant Director Hannah Goodwin
Stage Manager Luke McGettigan
Assistant Stage Manager Jen Parsonage

Cast

Nick Bartlett
John Gaden
Anthony Harkin
John Howard
Brandon McClelland
Josh McConville
Nate Sammut
Byron Wolffe

 

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Rehearsal images by Brett Boardman
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Production images by Brett Boardman

Reviews

★★★★ “It’s not only schadenfreude. It’s just great theatre.”

The Guardian

“There are some great lines and throat-gripping moments.”

The Sydney Morning Herald

“These are gift roles for these two fine actors — Howard as Sir Frank and the older Kerry; McConville as the young Kerry and James. They give brilliant virtuoso performances.”

The Australian

“Entertaining bio-drama”

Limelight

★★★★ “McConville is a force as Kerry and James.”

Time Out
  • Running Time and Content Warnings

    Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval).

    Content warnings: Strong language, haze, herbal cigarettes, strobe lighting, occasional nudity.

    Should you wish to speak 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.

    If Packer & Sons has raised any concerns for you following the performance, Lifeline offers a 24 hour counselling service and can be reached at 13 11 14. Additional information can be found on their website, www.lifeline.org.au. Other services which may be of assistance include mental health advocacy organisation, Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au, 1300 224 636), and youth mental health foundation, Headspace (www.headspace.org.au). You may also consider speaking to a trusted source or engaging your local GP.

  • Podcasts

    Playwright Tommy Murphy, director Eamon Flack, set and costume designer Romanie Harper, and Belvoir’s Head of New Work, Louise Gough discuss the cyclical patriarchal brutality of Packer & Sons; a play which charts the transitions of power in one of Australia’s most powerful families over three generations. Podcast produced for Belvoir by Zoe Ferguson.

    Stages with Peter Eyers

    Tommy, the writer of PACKER & SONS recently sat down with podcast recorder Peter Eyers for STAGES, a podcast devoted to the theatre industry and all the different roles and disciplines within it. In this episode Tommy speaks about the process of collaboration through which a play comes to life on stage; as well as the destructive alpha-masculinity that forms the basis of PACKER & SONS.

    Read to Filth


    Tommy Murphy, the proudly queer playwright behind PACKER & SONS has appeared on Read to Filth, a podcast dedicated to dissecting queer issues. In this episode Tommy discusses with hosts Rob and Thinesh the destructive sort of masculinity that underpins PACKER & SONS.

    The Betoota Advocate

    Playwright Tommy Murphy has appeared on the podcast of Australia’s most beloved* and longest running media empire** the Betoota Advocate to discuss all things Packer, including some of the questions the play doesn’t answer.

    *Arguable
    **Untrue

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