Julia

Not now. Not ever.

In 2012, Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, gave a speech that sent shockwaves around the world. Just over a decade later, one of Australia’s most esteemed and globally-produced playwrights, Joanna Murray-Smith, brings the human story behind that speech to the stage.

Justine Clarke, whose triumphant turn in Girls & Boys around the country cemented her position as a dramatic powerhouse, takes on the role of a lifetime embodying the life and career that led to the famous ‘misogyny speech’. Directed by Helpmann Award-winner Sarah Goodes, Julia was a sold-out success when it premiered in Canberra and
Sydney in 2023, dazzling audiences with a profound, wry and intoxicating exploration of gender, privilege and power.

This is both an intimate and compelling insight into the person behind the public mask and a reflection on the experience of women in contemporary politics. Combining genuine excerpts from Gillard’s speech with Murray-Smith’s incredible dramatic imagination, this play is a thrilling coming together of history and art.

As women around the world continue to fight for human rights, representation and against oppression, Julia is an empowering reminder of where we’ve come from and the challenges that lie ahead, seen through the prism of Julia Gillard’s childhood, education in Adelaide and her journey into and through the battlefield of Australian politics.

“Justine Clarke brilliantly becomes Julia Gillard in this heroic performance” – The Sydney Morning Herald

“A highly humanising and proud portrait of Gillard through the years, from young girl to federal helmswoman… Julia shines a light on a significant historical moment.” – Limelight

“Justine Clarke is electrifying…[Sarah] Goodes shapes the piece with insight and care” – The Guardian

Julia is presented as part of The University of Adelaide’s 150th Anniversary Program.

Content
Contains strong language, strobe lighting, smoke and haze effects.

Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes, no interval.

Joanna Murray-Smith’s script is available for purchase through Currency Press. A special 20% discount is available for our ticket buyers. Click here and use the code julia20 at the checkout.

Single tickets are now on sale! Tickets can also be purchased via Ticketek:

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Single Ticket Prices

PREVIEW/MATINEE
Adult $99.00
Concession $79.00
Under 30, Full Time Student $39.00

EVENING
Adult $109.00
Concession $89.00
Under 30, Full Time Student $39.00

All bookings incur an $9.25 transaction fee.
Visit the Ticket Price page for the full list of subscription and single ticket prices.

Audio Described Performances and Pre-Show Briefing for blind and vision impaired patrons
Saturday, 24 August, 1.00pm (briefing), 2.00pm (performance)
Monday, 26 August, 5.30pm (briefing), 6.30pm (performance), with a post-show Q&A

Captioned Performances for deaf and hard of hearing patrons
Tuesday, 27 August, 11.00am

Wheelchair access & Companion Cards
Wheelchair accessible seats, companion cards and other accessible bookings can be made via phone on 08 8415 5353 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm), or via email at tickets@statetheatrecompany.com.au.

Visit the Access page for more information on our Access Program.

Tangent Talk
Get the story behind the story with our Tangent Talk series at the State Library of South Australia. Before you see the show, join us for a drink and panel discussion.
– Monday, 15 July, 5.30pm

Subscriber Briefing
2024 Subscribers are invited to join us for an exclusive Subscriber Briefing to learn more about the creation of the show.
– Wednesday 14 August, 6.00pm

Post Show Q&As
We hold Q&As with our artists and creative teams so that you can ask questions about the production.
– Monday, 26 August
– Tuesday, 27 August (matinee performance)

A Date with State
Supported by the Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card, join us for our 2024 A Date With State program, with pre-show tea and coffee before the performance and a post-show Q&A.
– Tuesday, 27 August, 10.00am (pre-show tea and coffee), 11.00am (performance)

Venue Access

This show will be performed at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.

The recommended Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre drop off zone is at the northern end of the Riverbank Footbridge on War Memorial Drive (walk across the Footbridge to Dunstan Playhouse) or at the Intercontinental Hotel (walk north between the Intercontinental Hotel and Railway Station along the lane way to the Riverbank). There is also a drop off area and two accessible car spaces on lower Festival Drive, accessible from the west via Montefiore Road.

Getting to the Venue

Adelaide Festival Centre is easily accessible by public transport, including the tram (stop at Railway Station), trains, buses and a free bus service that operates on a loop throughout the city and North Adelaide with stops on the corner of King William Road and North Terrace.

For more information visit adelaidemetro.com.au.

For information about parking visit the Adelaide Festival Centre website.

Dining Options

Malt Shovel Taphouse
Located at the Adelaide Festival Centre at the end of the Adelaide Oval footbridge
Open Wednesday 3pm-11pm and Thursday – Sunday 11.30am-late

The Strathmore Hotel
Located 5 minutes from the Dunstan Playhouse at 29 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Open 7 days, 11am – 3am