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It’s Sydney. It’s Christmas. And it’s stinking hot. Grandad Stephen was the family’s BBQ king and his adult children have gathered to honour his memory, with family tensions sizzling to the surface. Don’t miss this blisteringly comical yet moving family drama about the ridiculous holiday season in all its glory.
- Playwright Sam O'Sullivan
- Director Mark Kilmurry
- Understudy Director Sophie Kelly
- Cast Danielle Carter
Harriet Gordon-Anderson
Aileen Huynh
Brian Meegan
Jamie Oxenbould - Commentators Sam O'Sullivan
Laurence Coy - Understudies Chloe Bayliss
Laurence Coy - Set Designer Ailsa Paterson
- Costume Designer Genevieve Graham
- Lighting Designer Matt Cox
- Sound Designer David Grigg
- Stage Manager Isabella Kerdijk
- Assistant Stage Manager Niamh Percy
- Costume Supervisor Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson
- COMMISSIONED BY ENSEMBLE’S LITERARY FUND
- Ensemble Theatre’s commission of BOXING DAY BBQ was made possible thanks to the generous support of Jenny and Guy Reynolds AO.
- 14 - 14 Oct 2023
- 125 mins (including interval) - except 6.15pm shows (105 mins, no interval)
- Recommended for ages 12+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
Overview
WORLD PREMIERE
It’s Sydney. It’s Boxing Day. And it’s stinking hot. Grandad Stephen was the family’s BBQ king and his adult children have gathered to honour his memory.
Wine snob Peter and cynical Connie reluctantly get the clan together for round two of festivities – they’ve survived the chaos of Christmas but Boxing Day is set to pack a punch. In raising a toast to Stephen’s memory, old grudges and family tensions sizzle to the surface. Surely they’ll be able to stop grilling each other for one day.
With a scorching ensemble under the direction of Mark Kilmurry, don’t miss Sam O’Sullivan’s blistering comedy about the ridiculous holiday season in all its glory.
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| TICKET TYPE | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $85 | $90 |
| SENIOR CARD | $82 | $87 |
| PENSIONER | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 20+ | $73 | $78 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
★★★★1/2 "so much more than an observational comedy about Christmas." "inventive, challenging and ultimately delightful" Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★1/2 "All shows should be this good." "unpretentiously perfect ... Ensemble has handed us a great theatrical Christmas present. It makes me more excited for 2023’s offering." Cultural Binge
"comedy of surprise and suspense, despair and delight, and, yes, comfort and joy." "The cast is impeccable. Danielle Carter as Connie, Aileen Huynh as Val, Harriet Gordon-Anderson as Jennifer, Brian Meegan as Peter, and Jamie Oxenbould as Morris, a quintet of quality that is effervescent with casting chemistry." Australian Stage
"a must-see production and a perfect way to celebrate the Sydney summer. If you're looking for a special Christmas gift, tickets to Boxing Day BBQ would be the perfect present." Weekend Notes
"skilfully written and deftly directed. Its characters are real, tangible. The plot is multi-layered and very carefully developed." Stage Whispers
"Sam O’Sullivan’s Boxing Day BBQ is a fun take on some serious fracture lines in our society. Directed by Mark Kilmurry, the cast deliver comic magic." Theatre Reds
"a fun, fast-paced take on a great Australian family tradition." What's On Sydney
"Characters and relationships are believable and compelling" "Mark Kilmurry’s direction of the piece ensures a dramatic tautness, that keeps us invested in the story." Suzy Goes See
"The cast are perfect and each and every character is engaging. You will find yourself laughing and crying throughout this play." Northern Beaches Mums
Cast & Creatives
Sam O’Sullivan
Playwright
Mark Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre: MCGUFFIN PARK, UNCLE VANYA, THE GREAT DIVIDE, MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, BOXING DAY BBQ, A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, OUTDATED, KENNY, CRUNCH TIME, THE ODD COUPLE, THE LAST WIFE, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, THE BIG TIME, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, TAKING STEPS, NEVILLE’S ISLAND, TWO, ODD MAN OUT, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, BETRAYAL, GOOD PEOPLE, MY ZINC BED, EDUCATING RITA, ABSENT FRIENDS, OTHER DESERT CITIES, THE ANZAC PROJECT, RICHARD III, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, FRANKENSTEIN, MANAGING CARMEN, RED, THE SPEAR CARRIER and HAMLET. THE ODD COUPLE; The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne & Theatre Royal, Sydney for Crossroads Live Australia. Film: Co-writer and co-director of BEING GAVIN. Literature Illustration: CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS.
Sophie Kelly
Understudy Director
Danielle Carter
Cast
Harriet Gordon-Anderson
Cast
Aileen Huynh
Cast
Brian Meegan
For The Ensemble Theatre Brian has appeared IN TWO, A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS, ABSENT FRIENDS, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, FRANKENSTEIN, THE ACT, MY WONDERFUL DAY, NINETY, ABIGAIL’S PARTY, CHAPTER TWO, ART, THE HEARTBREAK KID, MACBETH, WRONG FOR EACH OTHER, ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS and THE BOYS NEXT DOOR. His other theatre credits include COCK for Red Line Productions, GLEN GARRY GLEN ROSS for the Western Australian Theatre Company and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and THE GRASS WIDOW for The Hole in the Wall Theatre Company. BREAKING THE SILENCE for Marion Street, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING for Shakespeare in the Park, HAMLET, HENRY IV, OTHELLO and ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA for The Sydney Theatre Company and KING LEAR for The Studio Company. Brian also co-wrote his own show, THE BOYS GOTTA BONK which toured to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
For Television he has appeared IN DEVILS DUST, UNDERBELLY “BADNESS”, A MODEL DAUGHTER – THE KILLING OF CAROLINE BYRNE, SEA PATROL, WATER RATS, ALL SAINTS, GRASS ROOTS, STINGERS, BLUE HEELERS, BLUE WATER HIGH and THROUGH MY EYES. Brian played the regular character of Colin Thompson on GOING HOME for SBS. For the ABC he has appeared in MARKING TIME and CURTIN. His voice over credits include PETALS for ABC, OZ THE MAGICAL ADVENTURE – Interactive DVD and DEADLY for Yoram Gross, voice work on the Interactive game BORDERLANDS for 2K Australia P/L. Brian’s film appearances include PRIME MOVER, $9.99, JOYRIDER, THREADED, RISK and THE ILLUSTRATED FAMILY DOCTOR.
Brian graduated from WAAPA in 1984.
Jamie Oxenbould
Cast
Chloe Bayliss
Understudy
Laurence Coy
Understudy
Ailsa Paterson
Set Designer
Genevieve Graham
Costume Designer
Matt Cox
Lighting Designer
David Grigg
Sound Designer
Bella Kerdijk
Stage Manager
Niamh Percy
Assistant Stage Manager
Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson
Costume SupervisorDownload the program
Discover more about BOXING DAY BBQ with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including writer’s note, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more!
Playwright's Note
Ensemble Theatre has been an important part of my life ever since I moved to Sydney. My first job was in their subscriptions department and since graduating from drama school, I have appeared in multiple Ensemble productions. When I was asked to work on a new play for them, this time as a writer, I was thrilled.
My first instinct when writing this play was to go back to the true origins of our Christmas traditions and trace their evolution to the present. Tradition is often used as a reason for doing something, but if we apply this way of thinking to all aspects of life – if we hold on to old ways of thinking without questioning why, we risk becoming stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, our loved ones, or the planet.
The journey that this play has taken me on, with Mark and a wonderful cast of actors by my side, has been fascinating and joyful. I hope you enjoy watching Boxing Day BBQ as much as we enjoyed creating it.
SAM O’SULLIVAN
Special Performance Dates
Audio Described
- Thu 5 Jan 11am
- Sat 7 Jan 4.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Wed 14 Dec 8.15pm
- Tue 20 Dec 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 11 Jan 7.30pm
Photo Gallery
Watch The Trailer
COVID SAFETY MEASURES
Face masks are strongly recommended while in the auditorium and indoor areas (whilst not consuming food or drink).
Covid and mask policy may change depending upon prevailing conditions and health advice.