Hannah Gadsby will return to the Sydney stage as part of Sydney Festival’s 2027 program, joining a lineup of major theatre premieres, international productions and new Australian works across the city from January 7-25.
The Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian will present a new show at Roslyn Packer Theatre, exploring the idea of a personal foundation myth and the defining moments that only reveal their significance with hindsight.
Among the festival’s theatrical centrepieces is the world premiere of “THE LINE,” a collaboration between Sydney Festival, Sydney Opera House and ILBIJERRI Theatre Company.
Written by award-winning Trawlwoolway and Palawa playwright Nathan Maynard and co-directed with Dr Rachael Maza AM, the darkly comic production examines the legacy of the 1830 military operation known as the Black Line. Set against the attempted displacement of Palawa people in Lutruwita/Tasmania, the story follows a widowed settler and her Palawa servant as their increasingly fraught relationship exposes the enduring violence of Australia’s colonial past.
International theatre will feature prominently, with Irish company Dead Centre and Zoë McWhinney bringing “Deaf Republic” to Roslyn Packer Theatre for an Australian-exclusive season. Adapted from Jewish-Ukrainian poet Ilya Kaminsky’s work, the production combines spoken English, Auslan and creative captioning in an exploration of grief, solidarity and resistance.
Elsewhere, Sydney performance artist Emma Maye Gibson, better known as Betty Grumble, will premiere “A Loved Woman,” a deeply personal production examining her complicated relationship with her mother, former bodybuilding champion Karmyn Gibson. Directed by Declan Greene, the work brings their family history to the stage.
Brazilian performer Jéssica Teixeira will make her Australian debut with “Monga,” while Korean theatre-maker Jaha Koo presents “Haribo Kimchi,” an intimate exploration of migration, identity and memory told through food and performance.
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The comedy and cabaret program also includes New York performer Salty Brine’s Australian premiere of “He’s So Unusual,” inspired by Cyndi Lauper’s debut album, alongside Spencer Novich’s physical comedy “CHATTER” and Gillian Cosgriff’s interactive variety show “Nothing Like a Game”.
“We’ve set out to make a Festival that feels unmistakably of Sydney and open to the world,” festival director Kris Nelson said.
“We have major new First Nations shows, collaborations born in Western Sydney, and an international dance and theatre program on a scale the city deserves.”
Beyond theatre, the program includes a major collaboration between Western Sydney drill group ONEFOUR and the Penrith Chamber Orchestra, performances from Budjerah and MO’JU, and an international dance program featuring French collective (LA)HORDE.
The redeveloped Cutaway will host major dance productions and a free late-night party on January 8th, while an outdoor festival hub, The Yard, returns to Barangaroo Reserve.
More than 10,000 tickets priced at $49 or less will be available across the ticketed program, with tickets going on sale Thursday, October 22nd.
Full program details and tickets are available at sydneyfestival.org.au.