“History is a tricky thing. We usually only get one side of the story.”

A tenacious young actor (Guy Simon – The Tempest, The Visitors) is preparing for the role of a lifetime in his tiny apartment. Well, at the moment, it’s just an audition, but he’s hopeful! As he readies himself to become one of Australian history’s most iconic figures, his imagination conjures to life Bennelong himself (Googoorewon Knox – Hamilton, Big Name, No Blankets): a man forced to navigate his way through two cultures colliding at breakneck speed. 

Both travel back to the 1780s where Bennelong, now a young Wangal man, is abducted by Governor Phillip. Bennelong becomes his go-between with the Eora people and later, the first Aboriginal man to visit Europe and return. And the eventual husband of a woman called Barangaroo. 

Jane Harrison, the singular voice behind the award-winning The Visitors and Stolen reunites with “the most exciting new director of this generation” (Limelight), Ian Michael, to depict this time-bending conversation and burgeoning friendship between two First Nations men seeking to understand each other, themselves and the art of auditioning along the way.

Event Details:

• Dates:
  Previews 18 Jul – 22 Jul 2026
  Season 24 Jul – 16 Aug 2026

  Night with the Artists
  Tue 04 Aug, post-show

  Community Performance 
  Tue 28 Jul, 6:30pm

  Audio Described Performances
  Sat 15 Aug, 1:30pm

  Auslan Interpreted Performances
  Thur 13 Aug, 7:30pm

  Schools Performance 
  Wed 12 Aug, 11:30am

  Performance start times
  Preview performances – 7:30pm
  In-season evening performances – Mon & Tues 6:30pm; Wed – Sat 7:30pm
  Matinee performances – Wed 1:00pm; Saturday 1:30pm; Sunday 2:00pm

• Duration: 90 mins, no interval

• Suitable for: Parental Guidance - Schools Year 8-12

• Location: Wharf 1 Theatre

• Warnings: Infrequent strong language, infrequent racist language, mature themes including racism, colonisation and violence.

More info & tickets here.