Convict William Thornhill, exiled from the stinking slums of early 19th century London, discovers that the penal colony offers something that he never dared to hope for before: a place of his own. A stretch of land on the Hawkesbury River is Thornhill's for the taking.
As he and his family seek to establish themselves in this unfamiliar territory, they find that they are not the only ones to lay a claim to the land. The Hawkesbury is already home to a family of Dharug people, who are reluctant to leave on account of these intruders.
As Thornhill's attachment to the place and the dream deepens, he is driven to make a terrible decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Adapted for the stage from the novel by Kate Grenville.
ANDREW BOVELL is a writer renowned for his work in theatre, film, and television. His theatre credits include Song of First Desire (Belvoir), Canción Del Primer Deseo, (Teatro La Abadia, Madrid), Things I Know to Be True (Belvoir St Theatre, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Frantic Assembly, Black Swan Theatre, Teatro Stabile Turino), Anthem (Melbourne Arts Centre, Sydney and Perth Festivals), an adaptation of The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Edinburgh Festival, National Theatre London), When the Rain Stops Falling (Brink, Adelaide Festival, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Almeida Theatre, Lincoln Centre, NYC) His screen credits include, A Most Wanted Man, Edge of Darkness, Blessed, Lantana, based on his award-winning stage play Speaking in Tongues, and Head On. Andrew has received the David Williamson Prize for The Secret River, and the AWGIE Best Stage Play for Speaking in Tongues, Who’s Afraid of the Working Class, Holy Day and When the Rain Stops Falling. This play won Five Lucille Lortell awards in New York, and was named Time Magazines Nest New Play. Lantana won seven AFI Awards, the AWGIE for Best Screenplay, and five Film Critics’ Circle of Australia Awards.
KATE GRENVILLE was born in Sydney, Australia. After completing an Arts degree at Sydney University she worked in the film industry (mainly as an editor) before living in the UK and Europe for several years and starting to write. In 1984 her first book, a collection of stories—Bearded Ladies—was published. Since then she's published six novels and four books about the writing process (one co-written with Sue Woolfe). The Secret River (2005) has won many prizes, including the Commonwealth Prize for Literature and the Christina Stead Prize, and has been an international best-seller. The Idea of Perfection (2000) won the Orange Prize. Her other works of fiction have been published to acclaim in Australia and overseas and have won state and national awards. Much-loved novels such as Lilian's Story (1985), Dark Places (1995), and Joan Makes History (1988) have become classics, admired by critics and general readers alike. Kate Grenville's novels have been widely published in translation, and her books about the writing process are used in many writing courses in schools and universities.
| Cast Info | 7F, 13M, 2O, (doubling available) |
| Genres | Adaptations, Drama, Australian History, Naturalism / realism |
| Themes | Political/Social themes, Large Cast, Full length play, First Nations |
| Audiences | Adult, Secondary: Years 10-12, Young Adult |
| Extent | 128 |
| Edition | Standard |
| Size | 137 x 210 mm |
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