A delightful work
Sunday Telegraph
Most delightful family production
The Week
Take the kids
Sun Herald

The Book Of Everything

From the novel by Guus Kuijer
Adapted by Richard Tulloch
Directed by Neil Armfield
Set & Costume by Kim Carpenter

The Book Of
Everything

  • 22 Aug – 20 Sep 26 Upstairs Theatre

The Book Of Everything

From the novel by Guus Kuijer
Adapted by Richard Tulloch
Directed by Neil Armfield
Set & Costume by Kim Carpenter

A co-production with Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image

  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 22 Aug – 20 Sep 26
  • 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
    • The Creative Development Fund

One of the all-time most-loved Belvoir shows is back! 

Thomas isn’t an ordinary 9 year-old – he can see the extraordinary. Things other people don’t seem to see: canals bursting with tropical fish, hailstorms in summer, plagues of hopping frogs. He draws them all in his book, The Book of Everything. And in that book he also writes a promise to himself:

When I grow up, I’m going to be happy.

For his stern and serious-minded Papa, the only books that matter are about God. Thomas’ young misunderstandings are met with punishment instead of laughter. But when Papa attacks Thomas’ beloved Mamma, he has definitely gone too far. Even angels weep.

And there’s more to Thomas’ Everything – he befriends the startling Mrs van Amersfoort and meets Eliza, a beautiful girl with a creaky leather leg. A good-humoured Jesus even occasionally drops in for a chat.

A magical story for young and old – of a child who learns what to do when he’s most afraid, and how to face the wrong in the world.

I love this show to bits. It’s about courage and togetherness. If you saw Neil Armfield’s beautiful, life-affirming production a generation ago (well, in theatre-years), you’ll want to read this Book again. And if you haven’t seen it, you’re in a for a treat.  Some of the old cast are back, and there’s some fresh new faces too. Eamon Flack

Illustration by Kim Carpenter

If you have kids take them to see The Book of Everything. If you don’t see it anyway. It’s a gem of a show.

Sydney Morning Herald

One of the most delightful family productions I have seen for many years.

The Australian

This feel good play for adults and children alike, will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Daily Telegraph
It’s not quite right to say it’s the best children’s show in town, it’s one of the best shows, period. Warm, witty, wise and wonderful. New York Post

Performance Times

Weekly Times

  • tuesday 6.30pm

    Except 25 Aug at 7.30pm

  • wednesday 6.30pm
  • thursday 7.30pm
  • friday 7.30pm

    No 7.30pm performance on 4 Sep

  • saturday 2pm & 7.30pm

    No 2pm performance on 22 Aug

  • sunday 5pm

    Except 23 Aug at 6.30pm

  • image description Preview Session
  • image description Special Performance
  • image description Rainbow Families Performance
  • image description School Performance
  • image description Relaxed Performance

Save with Season Tickets!

With 4-play packages starting from $212 plus a range of ticket types and concessions, there is a package to suit everyone!

General release tickets on sale 18 Feb

Join Us

TEAM

  • Richard Tulloch
    By
  • Guus Kuijer
    Novel author
  • Neil Armfield
    Director
    image description

    Neil Armfield AO is a leading Australian director of theatre, opera and film. He was Co-Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival (2017 – 2022) and Artistic Director of Belvoir St Theatre for 17 years, which he also co-founded. Having directed well over 100 stage productions, including many world premieres, Neil’s Belvoir credits include Things I Know […]

    Read full bio
  • Kim Carpenter
    Set & Costume Design
  • Iain Grandage
    Composer
  • Nigel Levings
    Lighting Designer
  • Steve Francis
    Sound Designer
    image description

    Steve has worked extensively in theatre, dance and screen. His Belvoir credits include The Wrong Gods, The Weekend, Jungle and the Sea, Tell me I’m Here, Cursed, My Brilliant Career, Packer & Sons, Things I Know To Be True, Winyanboga Yurringa, Every Brilliant Thing, The Sugar House, The Book of Everything, The Power of Yes, […]

    Read full bio
  • Julia Cotton
    Choreographer
  • Eamon Flack
    Assistant Director
    image description

    Eamon Flack is the Artistic Director of Belvoir St Theatre. He was born in Singapore and grew up in Singapore, Darwin, Cootamundra and Brisbane. He trained as an actor at WAAPA from 2001 to 2003 and has since worked as a director and writer around Australia and internationally, from the Tiwi Islands to Sri Lanka, […]

    Read full bio

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

2010
Best Production for Children
Sydney Theatre Awards
2011
Achievement in the Arts by an Individual or Group
Arts Hub Award
2013
Theatre Direction (Neil Armfield)
Green Room Awards
2013
Theatre Ensemble (Cast)
Green Room Awards

Information
for schools

  • Book your performance

      * Required fields

    TERM three

    See this play for:
    THE POWER OF IMAGINATION
    THEATRICALITY

    INTRODUCING YOUNGER STUDENTS TO THEATRE

    Recommended for Years 5 – 12

    Curriculum Links

    Drama
    Stage 4
    • Appreciating Outcomes 4.3.1, 4.3.2
    Stage 5
    • Appreciating Outcomes 5.3.1, 5.3.2
    ENGLISH
    Stage 4
    Stage 5

    Schools Performances

    All schools performances are followed by a Q&A session with the cast.
    • Fri, 4 Sep 2026 11:30am
    • Wed, 9 Sep 2026 11:30am
    • Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:30am
    • Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:30am
    • Wed, 23 Sep 2026 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 Coordinator Nicola Denton
    +61 (2) 8396 6241

    Book your performance

    Complete this form to request tickets
    Want to book multiple productions? Head to our full Schools Booking request

      * Required fields

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