Griffin Theatre Company Presents PRIMA FACIE

Griffin Theatre Company will present the premiere of Prima Facie, Suzie Miller's gripping one-woman show starring Sheridan Harbridge, directed by Lee Lewis at the SWB Stables Theatre from 17 May 2019.

Winner of the 2018 Griffin Award, Prima Facie is an indictment of the Australian legal system's failure to provide reliable pathways to justice for women in rape, sexual assault or harassment cases. It's a work of fiction, but one that could have been ripped from the headlines of any paper, any day of the week.

Drawing on her experience as a lawyer, Suzie Miller's (Sunset Strip, Caress/Ache) play centres around Tessa, a talented criminal lawyer with a steadfast belief in the structure and safety provided by the law. But when Tessa finds herself on the other side of the bar, facing her own legal strategies, the reality of what the process is like for the victims forces her to reassess what justice truly is.

In a system built by men, operated by men, inclined to distrust women, does the truth even matter?

Turning Sydney's courts of law into a different kind of stage, Miller's taut, rapid-fire show exposes the shortcomings of a patriarchal justice system where it's her word against his.

Griffin's Artistic Director Lee Lewis said, "this a really hard play to face at the moment. But sometimes we have to write about the darkest things that are happening in our society. And if it's not on the Griffin stage, where will it be?"

Griffin audiences last saw Sheridan Harbridge in David Finnigan's audacious political comedy Kill Climate Deniers. She also performed in Griffin's production of Jump for Jordan, and co-wrote and performed in the Griffin Independent production Nosferatutu or Bleeding at the Ballet. She was part of Griffin Studio in 2016. Her other recent credits include Muriel's Wedding (STC), Calamity Jane (Hayes Theatre Company), The Sugar House and The Dog/The Cat (Belvoir), The Bald Soprano, Cabaret, Charlie Brown and Carmen (Opera Australia). Her musical Songs for the Fallen won Best Musical and Outstanding Actress at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, and has toured to Sydney Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Brisbane Festival.

SEASON INFORMATION
Director Lee Lewis
Set and Costume Designer Renee Mulder
Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest
Sound Designer Paul Charlier
With Sheridan Harbridge

PERFORMANCE DATES
Preview 17-21 May
Opening Nights 22 & 23 May
Season 24 May - 22 June

PERFORMANCE TIMES
Monday - Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm

VENUE
SBW Stables Theatre
10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross, NSW

TICKETS
Bookings 02 9361 3817 or griffintheatre.com.au
Adult $62 | Concession/Preview/Seniors/Group 8+ $52 | Under 35 $38
Monday Rush $20 - available from 12 noon on Mondays for that evening's performance
Transaction fees of $4 for online bookings and $6 for phone bookings apply

CANBERRA THEATRE SEASON
26 - 29 June

RIVERSIDE THEATRES SEASON
3 - 6 July