Hayes Theatre Co breathes new life into the much-loved Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance, bringing its trademark wit and energy to the Wollongong stage in March 2025. Photo: Hayes Theatre Co.
With 11 mainstage shows, including three blockbuster theatre events, Merrigong Theatre Company has announced its biggest season ever for 2025.
Showcasing local, national and international theatre, MERRIGONGX Artists’ Program reveals a fresh batch of innovative new works combining emerging talent and vibrant line-up of family entertainment in an unmissable year.
Merrigong Theatre Company’s artistic director Simon Hinton said the company was “proud” to give Wollongong audiences the opportunity to experience three blockbuster theatre events, among other stage delights.
“We’ll also celebrate the return to Wollongong of six of the nation’s finest theatre companies with exuberant, thought-provoking works, share two wonderful productions from local artists and bring one international theatre gem here to the Illawarra,” he said.
“Our MERRIGONGX Artists’ Program will present four new local artists’ productions to audiences for the very first time, and of course, our youngest audience members will enjoy theatre made especially for them.
“This adds up to an unmissable year of theatre – one I’m excited to see along with our audiences.”
Bangarra Dance Theatre opens the mainstage in February with The Light Inside, transporting audiences with a visually stunning performance acclaimed in its 2024 premiere season at the Sydney Opera House.
Next up, following an extraordinary sold-out run at the Brisbane Festival in 2024, the smash-hit stage adaptation of the best-selling book, Trent Dalton’s Love Stories, will begin its national tour in Wollongong for a strictly limited two-week season.
With no other NSW dates currently announced, this is a unique opportunity for Wollongong audiences and those outside the region to see Dalton’s vignettes lovingly adapted into a whirlwind production before capital cities have the chance.
The mainstage opens with Bangarra Dance Theatre’s The Light Inside in February. Photo: Daniel-Boud.
In March, Hayes Theatre Co will breathe new life into the much-loved Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance, bringing its trademark wit and energy to the stage in a production to charm audiences of all ages.
Four bold performers, playing dozens of roles and the musical score on piano, bring this new, boisterously joyful ‘rewired and rebooted’ adaptation to life – it’s a performance feat that needs to be seen.
Other mainstage highlights include State Theatre Company South Australia and Sydney Theatre Company’s outstanding production, The Dictionary of Lost Words, which comes to Wollongong in May for two weeks; and Sydney Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre’s Julia, which visits as part of its national tour in September.
In August, the spicy hit of the 2024 MERRIGONGX Artists’ Program, Josh Hinton’s A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen (or How To Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry), transfers to the Merrigong mainstage. It weaves together childhood memories and family folklore passed down through the generations as Josh attempts to make his grandmother’s chicken curry live on stage.
In 2025 the MERRIGONGX Artists’ Program goes from strength to strength in its mission to support artists in creating extraordinary new work. The full suite of artists being supported with creative development residencies will be announced in February, plus four new works will be presented to audiences for the first time.
There’s plenty on for younger audiences as well, including Ratburger – a hilarious and heart-warming story packed with quirky characters and thrilling escapades, adapted from the bestselling David Walliams novel.
The magical Very Hungry Caterpillar Show brings Eric Carle’s timeless story to life through beautiful puppetry and vibrant colours, while The Listies: 110% Ready promises laugh-out-loud comedy from Australia’s favourite musical children’s duo.
Justine Clarke stuns in Sydney Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre’s Julia. Photo: Sydney Theatre Company.
For the full program and more information visit Merrigong.
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