At What Cost?

Putalina, Oyster Cove, just south of Hobart, Tasmania. A Palawa man, Boyd Mansell, is determined to do right – by his family, by the land, and by his people.

The bones of his ancestor, William Lanne are being returned to him. Boyd has been chosen by the Land Council to light the fire which will reunite Lanne with the “old fellas in the sky… where there’s wallaby bounding everywhere. Where there’s an abalone under every swaying piece of bull kelp. Where there are crayfish under every hanging rock ledge. Where there’s a mutton bird in every burrow.”

But strangers are arriving. Strangers now making claims on all Boyd holds dear, ready to dig up the pain of the past and drag it into the present.

Nathan Maynard’s extraordinary tale of a family and a community in crisis arrives fresh from its acclaimed world premiere at Belvoir St Theatre.

“Urgent, provocative, coruscating and haunting … theatrical statement of the heart, a must-see.” Australian Stage

“A play sculpted from muscle and bone and filled in from the gut… it is smartly pitched and richly rhythmic and never shies away from a laugh (there are many)…” Sydney Morning Herald

“A great political tragedy grows out of comic domestic beginnings in this slow-burning play… like all great tragedies, it builds towards pity and terror in its ending.” The Australian

Nathan Maynard is one of the hottest and most talented playwrights working in Australia at the moment. His comic gifts are immense but his capacity for deep drama and suspense is equally monumental. Teaming with other great First Nations artists – Isaac Drandic as director and designers Chloe Ogilvie and Jacob Nash, alongside a brilliant cast, this show will burn brightly at the Odeon. Mitchell

At What Cost? had its World Premiere at Belvoir St Theatre in February 2022

Indigenous Theatre at Belvoir is supported by The Balnaves Foundation

CONTENT
Recommended for ages 16+.

Contains frequent coarse language, sexual references and content, strong themes dealing with genocide and trauma, deaths in custody and suicide. Mention of First Nations people who have died.

Contains haze and simulated fire.

Click here for the At What Cost? Content Guide for a detailed description of what to expect (please note, this document may contain plot spoilers).

If you or anyone you know needs support, Lifeline offers a 24 hour counselling service and can be reached at 13 11 14. Additional information can be found on their website, www.lifeline.org.au. Other services which may be of assistance include Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13 YARN (www.13yarn.org.au), mental health advocacy organisation, Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au, 1300 224 636), and youth mental health foundation, Headspace (www.headspace.org.au).

Please contact us for more information.

RUN TIME
1 hour 30 minutes (with no interval)

YOUR VISIT
Click here for pre-show information

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Single Ticket Prices

PREVIEW/MATINEE
Adult $75.00
Concession $65.00
Under 30, Full Time Student $39.00

EVENING
Adult $85.00
Concession $75.00
Under 30, Full Time Student $39.00

A booking fee of $8.95 applies to all transactions.
Visit the Ticket Price page for the full list of subscription and single ticket prices.

Audio Described Performances and Pre-Show Briefing
Saturday 24 June, 1pm (briefing), 2pm (performance)
Monday 26 June, 5.30pm (briefing), 6.30pm (performance)

Unfortunately, due to logistical challenges at the venue, our Audio Described service has been cancelled for At What Cost? Please contact tickets@statetheatrecompany.com.au for more information.

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

Extended Pay What You Can and Rush Tickets
We’ve extended our Pay What You Can and Rush Tickets programs to all remaining performances of At What Cost?

Pay-what-you-can tickets are available for people who hold a Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Simply donate a minimum of $5 to attend any performance. Pay-what-you-can tickets can be purchased at the venue box office from 60 minutes before the performance and must be paid for via credit/debit card as the venues are now cashless. Booking fees apply.

Company Rush tickets: Last minute tickets are available to all performances of At What Cost? at the venue box office 60 minutes before the show starts for only $39 (plus booking fee). Rush tickets can be purchased from the venue box office and must be paid for via credit/debit card as the venues are now cashless.

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 29 May – click here to book

Subscriber Briefing

2023 Subscribers are invited to join us for an exclusive Subscriber Briefing to learn more about the creation of the show.
– 13 June This event has been cancelled, please contact marketing@statetheatrecompany.com.au for more information.

Post Show Q&As

We hold Q&As with our artists and creative teams so that you can ask questions about the production.
– 26 June

State Theatre Company South Australia is offering two school performances as part of our season of At What Cost? 

School performances
Odeon Theatre, Norwood

• Thursday 22 June 11.00am
• Wednesday 28 June 11.00am

Click here to check performance availability

Click here to book via the Education Booking Form

Click here for At What Cost? Education Resources

At What Cost? Learning Resources

Please contact education@statetheatrecompany.com.au for more information.

This show will be performed at the Odeon Theatre at 57a Queen Street, Norwood SA 5067.

Parking
Located at 57a Queen Street, Norwood, there is a range of free street parking options around the Theatre and in sections of side streets of Norwood. Time limited parking options are available on The Parade and car park facilities are available at several locations in Norwood. Click here for details.

Please make sure you plan your journey to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the performance start time as it can take more than 10 minutes to find a park, get to the Theatre and be seated in time.

There is a loading zone at the front entrance of the Theatre which can be used as an accessible drop off point.

Public Transport

Bus Stop 10 The Parade – North Side

Bus Stop 10 The Parade – South Side

Pre and Post-Show Dining

The Parade in Norwood offers a wide variety of dining options, from fast food to pubs to restaurants.

–The Cinnamon Club Indian Cuisine: Open from 5pm and across the street from the theatre.

–The Bath Hotel: Restaurant and casual pub dining open from 5pm Tuesday – Sunday, located right next to the theatre.

–Hanamura Norwood: Japanese restaurant open from 5pm, opposite the cinema on The Parade, less than 5 mins walk from the theatre.