Sydney's Seymour Centre turns 50 in 2025, with five must-see events including three international plays, and two locally-produced works.
Opening the year is Queensland-based contemporary dance company, The Farm, presenting the Sydney premiere of Kayah and Maitreyah Guenther’s ‘Glass Child’. It’s a poignantly revealing depiction of the sibling relationship between Kayah, a young man with Down syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah, expressed through dance, theatre and storytelling.
Next up is Outhouse Theatre Co, returning with ‘Eureka Day’ from Jonathan Spector. Idealogical warfare is declared at a cosy, progressive prep school. . . When a mumps outbreak triggers a parental mutiny.
In August, Omusubi Production presents Hisashi Inoue’s ‘The Face Of Jizo’, following its sold-out, critically acclaimed Australian premiere at Old Fitz Theatre in November of 2023. It centres on a father and daughter in the aftermath of war.
After enjoying success in 2024, Clockfire Theatre Company presents the full-length premiere of ‘RUINS أطلال’ from Emily Ayoub and Madeline Baghurst in September. It draws on themes of sacrifice, migration and homeland, exploring the question ‘what is our heart’s journey when our world is split in two?’.
To close things off in November, Seymour welcomes Siren Theatre Co, with the Australian premiere of Charlie Josephine’s ‘Cowbois’, directed by Kate Gaul. It’s a rollicking, queer Western where the women drift through their days like tumbleweed, until handsome bandit Jack Cannon swaggers up to the town’s saloon.
“Since inception, part of our mission has been to proudly support independent artists and companies to create and present outstanding performances at Seymour: One Extra Dance Company, Theatre Hydra, Carnivale, Musica Viva, Nimrod Theatre, SIMA Jazz and, more recently, Squabbalogic and Sport For Jove have all called Seymour Centre their home,” Seymour Centre Artistic Director Timothy Jones says.
“Seymour’s curated performance season provides the foundations that allows major work to flourish. We support independent companies like no other, providing a free venue, technical and marketing expertise to allow artists to get on with the business of making art. . . Art that both reflects our world and rocks it. And in Season 2025, following on from the success of our 2024 season (‘Trophy Boys’, ‘The Inheritance’ among others) this is exactly what we will deliver: the best independent performance companies, creating ambitious theatre works of scale that wrestle with contemporary issues, challenge expectations and provide an unmissable theatre experience.”
“These are stories of now.”
Seymour Centre’s 2025 season kicks off with ‘Glass Child’ in April.
