Home | Shows | Past Productions | 2024 Season | COLDER THAN HERE
Laura Wade’s heart-breaking journey through love, loss and laughter earned the playwright a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award and an Olivier Award nomination. COLDER THAN HERE is an offbeat comedy about finding light even in the darkest of times.
- Playwright Laura Wade
- Director Janine Watson
- Cast Airlie Dodds
Charlotte Friels
Huw Higginson
Hannah Waterman - COLDER THAN HERE was first performed at Soho Theatre, London on 3 February 2005.
By arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd.
- 16 Sep 2024 - 12 Oct 2024
- 90mins (no interval)
- Recommended for ages 14+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Contains coarse language, adult themes, including references to terminal illness.
Overview
Laura Wade’s heart-breaking journey through love, loss and laughter earned the playwright a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award and an Olivier Award nomination. COLDER THAN HERE is an offbeat comedy about finding light even in the darkest of times.
Myra’s typically middle-class family are scarily normal in their eccentricities, especially when it comes to dealing with her illness. The boiler is on the blink, the cat’s gone missing and the perfect funeral needs planning but her husband Alec would rather bury his head in a newspaper while daughters Harriet and Jenna have their own problems. Myra might be busy researching flatpack coffins and creating a PowerPoint presentation of her dying wishes, but her last big project is to fix her family.
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.
| 2024 SINGLE TICKETS | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $83 | $88 |
| SENIOR CARD | $80 | $85 |
| PENSIONER | $76 | $81 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $76 | $81 |
| GROUP 20+ | $71 | $76 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| MEAA/AWG | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
★★★★ "The humour is wry, pointed and on the black side... But beneath the humour, it is the interplay of life’s mundanity with death’s harsh reality that lingers." The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★★ "The quality of the acting is sublime, and emotion is used so effectively that the audience feels truly connected to those on stage. This is probably the highlight of the Ensemble season and will appeal to so many different demographics because of its poignancy and universality." Musical Theatre AU
★★★★ "an exceptional production of an unsettling, profound comedy." Stage Noise
★★★★ "a remarkable specimen: both tender and ticklish" State of the Art
"Do come expecting to be gently moved by these characters’ stoicism and humour while facing the inevitable." Limelight
"The standard of acting, like in most of this theatre’s output, is very high" Stage Whispers
"macabre humour and heartrending pathos" Megaphone Oz
"A moving and funny play" South Sydney Herald
"Director Janine Watson elicits fine performances from the cast, each actor successfully finding the balance between humour and fragility." Theatre Red
"Colder Than Here is memorable for its humour, surprising perhaps for the lightness of its tone." Suzy Goes See
"Together they [Airlie Dodds and Charlotte Friels) convey the ebb and flow of sisterly closeness and distance, skillfully and with understated empathy." 4th Wall Reviews
"Huw Higginson’s portrayal of‘ the pipe and slippers type father Alec is a poignant one." Sydney Arts Guide
Cast & Creatives
Laura Wade
Laura Wade is a playwright and screenwriter. Her recent plays include THE WATSONS and HOME, I’M DARLING which won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Film work includes THE RIOT CLUB, adapted from her play POSH. She is currently developing several feature films, including a major book adaptation with Blueprint Pictures, and is an executive producer and writer on Jilly Cooper’s RIVALS for Disney+.
Janine Watson
Directing Credits: Ensemble Theatre: ALONE IT STANDS, A BROADCAST COUP, NEARER THE GODS, STILL UNQUALIFIED, UNQUALIFIED. Bell Shakespeare: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, ROMEO AND JULIET. Redline Productions: FIERCE, CRIMES OF THE HEART, DOLORES (co-director). Acting Credits: Ensemble Theatre: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Bell Shakespeare: KING LEAR, THE DREAM. Griffin Theatre: THE HAPPY PRINCE. Little Ones theatre: DANGEROUS LIAISONS, DRACULA. Sport For Jove: THREE SISTERS. Film: THE CODE. TV: THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, NEIGHBOURS, THAT’S NOT ME. Training: National Theatre Drama School (Melbourne). Awards: Sandra Bates Directing Award 2016. Sydney Theatre Award – Best Lead Female Performance THE HAPPY PRINCE 2019. GLUG Award – Best Supporting Actress A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 2017.
Airlie Dodds
Australian Theatre for Young People: BITE ME, ANIMAL FARM, TUSK TUSK (with Sydney Theatre Company). Belvoir St Theatre: THE WILD DUCK, IVANOV. Griffin Theatre Company: THE BLEEDING TREE. New Theatre: BIRDLAND. Sydney Theatre Company: AUSTRALIAN GRAFFITI, THE BLEEDING TREE. Film: THE FURIES, BOOK WEEK, KILLING GROUND. TV: RETURN TO PARADISE, THE GLOAMING, HOUSE OF BOND, READY FOR THIS, HIDING, NEIGHBOURS, RAKE S2.
Charlotte Friels
Crossroads Live: THE MOUSETRAP. Sydney Theatre Company: OIL. Film: THE DRESSMAKER, NITRAM. Television: PLUM, AFTER THE VERDICT, THE PM’s DAUGHTER. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Huw Higginson
Australian Theatre; Ensemble Theatre: A KITCHEN SINK, HONOUR, COLDER THAN HERE. Griffin Theatre Company: ON THE SHORE OF THE WIDE WORLD, HOUSE ON THE LAKE, GLORIA. Melbourne Theatre Company: GREAT EXPECTATIONS. 2000 National Tour: LONE STAR. National Tour: LOVE LETTERS. Sydney Opera House: MR STINK. UK THEATRE: ABIGAIL’S PARTY, MEETING JOE STRUMMER, IN THE CLUB, RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN, ARSENIC, OLD LACE, WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, ALL MY SONS, COMEDIANS, AND DID THOSE FEET, DEMOLITION MAN, THE WINSLOW BOY, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A KITCHEN SINK, HULL TRUCK THEATRE, PLENTY, SERGEANT MUSGRAVES DANCE, BREEZEBLOCK PARK. UK TELEVISION: THE BILL (ABC/iTV), EASTENDERS, CASUALTY, HOLBY CITY, DOCTORS, RAILWAY MURDERS, BIG DEAL, THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, BY ANY MEANS LIVING IT, BLESSED (all for BBCTV). AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION: HIDING, RAKE SERIES 4, MISS FISHER MYSTERIES, DEADLINE GALLIPOLI, SECRET CITY, SECRET RIVER, MARY: MAKING OF A PRINCESS, HOME AND AWAY, JANET KING 3, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, THE LEFTOVERS, JESSICA, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, WENTWORTH (seasons 1 and 2), LADIES IN BLACK (ABCTV), GOLD DIGGERS, TOTAL CONTROL (seasons 1-3), THE ARTFUL DODGER, TOP END BUB (post production). AUSTRALIAN FILM: THE NIGHTINGALE, TOP END WEDDING. AWARDS & NOMINATIONS: HOUSE ON THE LAKE (Griffin Theatre Company – which he won Best Actor in the GLUG Awards), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (nominated for an MEN award for Best Supporting Actor). TRAINING: The London Academy of Dramatic Art.
Hannah Waterman
Australia Theatre; Ensemble Theatre: THE KITCHEN SINK, THE SUMMER OF HAROLD. CDP: MR STINK. Griffin Theatre Company: WICKED SISTERS, THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES. Hit Productions: LOVE LETTERS. Michael Cassel Group: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. MARY POPPINS. One Eyed Man Productions: SIDE SHOW. Red Line Productions: THE WHALE. Sydney Theatre Company: TALK. Television: Channel 9/Stan: BALI 2002 & HOME AND AWAY. Endemol Shine Australia: NCIS Sydney. UK Television: EASTENDERS, THE BILL, NEW TRICKS, THE AFTERNOON PLAY, TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES, TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION. Film: MERCY ROAD, PATIENT 17, VOICE ARTIST ON THE NIGHTINGALE. Awards & Nominations: Winner of the National Shakespeare on a Platform Competition (New Globe Theatre 1993). Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES (GLUGS 2018). Training: National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. University of Warwick, Bachelor of Arts (English & Theatre) 1996. A proud member of Actors Equity.
Michael Hankin
Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEEN’S NANNY, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERNITY and GREAT FALLS. Opera Australia: IL TRITTICO. Sydney Theatre Company: ON THE BEACH, JUMPY. Belvoir Street Theatre: INTO THE WOODS, THE BOOMKAK PANTO, WAYSIDE BRIDE, LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, HIR, ANGELS IN AMERICA, GHOSTS, IVANOV, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE SUGARHOUSE, THE GREAT FIRE, MARK COLVIN’S KIDNEY and THE DARKROOM. Griffin Theatre: GOLDEN BLOOD, UGLY MUGS. Bell Shakespeare: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, AS YOU LIKE IT and OTHELLO. Barbican Centre: MEMORIAL. Manchester’s Home Theatre: INSANE ANIMALS. Brink Productions: THE ASPIRATIONS OF DAISE MORROW and TARTUFFE. Theatre Royal: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Chunky Move/Malthouse Theatre: 247 DAYS. Force Majeure: YOU ANIMAL YOU and FLOCK. Film: Michael was the art director for Ireland’s 2020 entry for EUROVISION, the challenge designer for SURVIVOR AUSTRALIA (S6) and the weapons designer/co-ordinator for THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Genevieve Graham
Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEENS’S NANNY, DIPLOMACY, THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BOXING DAY BBQ. The Brandenburg Orchestra: HANDEL’S MESSIAH, BITTERSWEET OBSESSIONS, NOTRE DAME. The Theatre of Image: BRETT AND WENDY: A LOVE STORY BOUND BY ART. TV: Costume designer; APPETITE (SBS), THE DISPOSABLES (ABC), OPTICS (ABC COMEDY). Costume assistant; THE COMMONS (STAN). Costume buyer; HEARTBREAK HIGH SEASONS 1&2, PAPERDOLLS, COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS SEASON 2. Short film: Costume Designer; DOG EATS WORLD, LUNA AND THE BRAIN TUNA. Feature Film: Costume assistant; SHANG-CHI, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art. Awards: 2017 Emerging Designer for Live Performance for EURYDIKE AND ORPHEUS (A NIDA production).
Morgan Moroney
Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEEN’S NANNY, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, CLYDE’S, MR BAILEY’S MINDER. Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: INFERNO. Australian Theatre for Young People: SAPLINGS, SHACK. Belvoir Street Theatre: NAYIKA: A DANCING GIRL, SHITTY. Essential Workers: COLLAPSIBLE. National Theatre of Parramatta: GIRLS IN BOYS CARS, A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SELF-DEFENCE. Opera Australia: BARBER OF SEVILLE. Pinchgut Opera: DIDO AND AENEAS. Redline Productions: CLEANSED. Siren Theatre & WorldPride: CAMP. Sugary Rum Productions: ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE. Video Designer: Ensemble Theatre: UNQUALIFIED, A LETTER FOR MOLLY. National Theatre of Parramatta: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SELF-DEFENCE. Assistant Lighting Designer: Opera Australia: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Sydney Harbour. Associate Lighting Designer: Sydney Theatre Company: DRACULA.
Jessica Dunn
Ensemble Theatre: PHOTOGRAPH 51, IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT LADY?, ALONE IT STANDS. Belvoir Street Theatre: BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS (Musical Director), MASTER & MARGARITA, COUNTING AND CRACKING and RANDOM (Associate Sound Designer). Griffin Theatre Company: BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS, A IS FOR APPLE. Legs on the Wall: THE LOVERS, TRESTLE. Lwa: SIX THE MUSICAL (Musician). Siren Theatre Company: CAMP. Sydney Theatre Company: DRACULA and ON THE BEACH (Sound Designer), CHALKFACE (Composer, Sound Designer), THE TEMPEST and JULIUS CAESAR (Sound Programmer), WONNANGATTA (Associate Sound Designer). Tasmanian Theatre Company: THE MARES. Awards: APRA ART MUSIC AWARD BEST PERFORMANCE 2020. Training: SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.
Mark Bolotin
National Theatre of Parramatta: ETC: BREAKTHROUGH, GIRLS IN BOYS CARS, THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. National Institute of Dramatic Art: ALICE – MOTHER OF CINEMA, ICARUS. Sydney Opera House (with Melbourne Arts House, Canberra Street Theatre): EMERGENCE BUILD YOUR OWN BEING. Flux Factory New York (with 3LD New York, Burning Man, The Bell House NY, MCA Sydney): THE LUMIPHONIC CREATURE CHOIR. Hyphen Hub New York: VISIONS OF THE FUTURE. Museum of Modern Art Zagreb (with TEDxSydney, 107 Projects Redfern): THE MUSEUM OF FACES. National Centre for Performing Arts Beijing: ALCHEMY. Stadtstheater Arnhem Netherlands: THE WARHOL PROJECT.
Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Theatre: Ensemble Theatre: MASTERCLASS, ULSTER AMERICAN, SWITZERLAND, ALONE IT STANDS, THE MEMORY OF WATER, SUMMER OF HAROLD, BENEFACTORS, CLYDE’S, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, BOXING DAY BBQ, THE CARETAKER, PHOTOGRAPH 51, BLACK COCKATOO, BABY DOLL. Belvoir Street Theatre: COUNTING AND CRACKING. Crossroads Live: CINDERELLA, 9 TO 5. Darlinghurst Theatre: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, ONCE, A CHORUS LINE. DreamWorks: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Gordon Frost: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, SHREK, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE BODYGUARD, DIRTY DANCING. Griffin Theatre: PONY. GWB Entertainment: JAGGED LITTLE PILL, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Hayes Theatre: RIDE THE CYCLONE, ZOMBIE, MURDER FOR TWO. National Theatre of Paramatta: FADE. TEG Dainty: TINA. Television: SHANTARAM, WELLMANIA, YEAR OF, MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS. Film: JUNGLE.
Tim Dashwood
Theatre: Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEEN’S NANNY, ULSTER AMERICAN, ALONE IT STANDS. Australian Theatre for Young People: SAPLINGS, THE DEB, INTERSECTIONS: ARRIVAL, WAR CRIMES. Bell Shakespeare: THE PLAYERS. Belvoir: CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, TELL ME I’M HERE, FANGIRLS, OPENING NIGHT. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Griffin Theatre Company: JAILBABY, THE LEWIS TRILOGY. Hayes Theatre Company: ZOMBIE! THE MUSICAL, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, DUBBO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING. National Theatre of Parramatta: KARIM, GIRLS IN BOYS’ CARS. Opera Australia: HAMLET, WEST SIDE STORY, MISS SAIGON, WHITELEY, KROL ROGER, FAUST. shake & stir theatre co.: FOURTEEN, FANTASTIC MR FOX, JANE EYRE. Sydney Theatre Company: STOLEN, A FOOL IN LOVE, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, JULIUS CAESAR, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, NO PAY? NO WAY!, LORD OF THE FLIES. Other: President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors incorporated.
Chloë Dallimore
Ensemble Theatre: UNCLE VANYA, ALONE IT STANDS. Belvoir St Theatre: MASTER & MARGARITA, MISS PEONY, AT WHAT COST, COUNTING & CRACKING. CrossRoads Live: WICKED, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Griffin Theatre Company: SEX MAGICK, BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS. GWB: JAGGED LITTLE PILL, THE MOUSETRAP, THE GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Hayes Theatre Co: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, JEKYLL & HYDE, ZOMBIE. Opera Australia: MISS SAIGON, SUNSET BOULEVARD, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, IL TRITTICO, HAMLET, TOSCA, LA BOHÈME, WATERSHED. Red Line Productions: AMADEUS, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Sport for Jove: ROMEO & JULIET. Sydney Theatre Company: A FOOL IN LOVE, THE SEAGULL, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, ON THE BEACH, THE TEMPEST, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Recent Television: HEARTBREAK HIGH, BUMP, THE TWELVE, COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, NCIS SYDNEY, TOTAL CONTROL, MOTHER & SON, PROSPER, TEN POUND POMS, THE MESSENGER, LAST KING OF THE CROSS.
Christopher Starnawski
Stage Manager; Ensemble Theatre: UNCLE VANYA, THE GREAT DIVIDE, TODD MCKENNEY: PETER ALLEN AND ME. Belvoir 25a: AN OX STAND ON MY TONGUE. Megan Bennetts: LOSING IT. Sport For Jove: VENUS & ADONIS, ROMEO & JULIET, TWELFTH NIGHT, MACBETH, RICHARD III, HENRY IV. Squabbalogic: HERRINGBONE. Assistant Stage Manager: Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, ULSTER AMERICAN. Bell Shakespeare: THE LOVERS. Belvoir Street Theatre: SCENES FROM THE CLIMATE ERA, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS. Opera Australia: LA TRAVIATA. Red Line Productions & Sydney Opera House: AMADEUS. Company Manager: Bar’d Work: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Film: 17 MINUTES, DISARMED, LIFE AFTER MAN, KAIROS, LONG STORY SHORT, PSEUDOMONAS, RITUAL, THIS TOWN AIN’T BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US. Music Video: AMALIA, IN HEART’S WAKE, RAYN.
Bernadett Lőrincz
Assistant Stage Manager; Ensemble Theatre: COLDER THAN HERE is Bernadett’s debut with Ensemble Theatre. Wardrobe Assistant Stage Manager; Bell Shakespeare: KING LEAR. Production Coordinator; Sydney Theatre Company. Dancer: BONNIE CURTIS PROJECT. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, Technical Theatre and Stage Management course. Contemporary Dance & Choreography: Dózsa György Dance School, Brent Street & Kibbutz International dance journey Program.
Lily Mateljan
Costume Designer/Supervisor: Ensemble Theatre: THE QUEEN’S NANNY. Belvoir Street Theatre: PROPOISE POOL 25A SEASON. Hayes Theatre Co: LITTLE WOMEN. Kings Cross Theatre on Broadway (KXT): RHOMBIOD, GRAIN IN THE BLOOD. Costume Supervisor: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: INFERNO. Pinchgut Opera: DIDO AND AENEAS. National Institute of Dramatic Arts Production Seasons: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON (Paid Professional), ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT MOULD, FALSETTOS, BETH. Head of Wardrobe: Victorian Opera: IL TABARRO. Films: APPLETON LADIES POTATO RACE, FIVE BLIND DATES. TV: HOUSE OF GODS, THE TWELVE (Season 1), HARDBALL (Season 2), THE OTHER GUY (Season 2). Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, (BFA Costume) ENMORE DESIGN CENTRE. Awards: Nominated Best Costume Design for RHOMBOID at Sydney Broadway Awards 2023.
Director's Note
It’s been a joy to discover COLDER THAN HERE in the room with this cast and creative team. They are all exceptional.
There’s little I can write that will improve upon Laura Wade’s very humble, beautiful play. Or to sum up a process that gently unfolded through the power of her words and characters. So I’ll let the play speak for itself. And leave you with this poem that served me in understanding how we can hold space for grief and hope all at once, a proposition that COLDER THAN HERE pursues so rigorously:
All over bouquets of roses,
O death, I cover you over with blood-red roses and early lilies,
But mostly and now the lilac that blooms the first,
With loaded arms I come, pouring for you,
For you, and the coffins all of you, O death.
Lo! out of death, and out of ooze and slime,
The blossoms rapidly blooming, sympathy, help, love.
Prais’d be the fathomless universe,
For life and joy, and for objects and knowledge curious, and for love—
But praise! praise! praise!
For the sure-enwinding arms of cool-enfolding death,
The soul turning to thee and the body gratefully nestling close to thee,
O vast and well-veil’d death,
Envoy, usherer, guide at last of all,
Sweet, peaceful, welcome death.
Walt Whitman
Production Photos
Rehearsal Photos
Rehearsal photos by Phil Erbacher
Watch the trailer
Special performances
Audio Described
- Wed 2 Oct 11am
- Sat 5 Oct 2pm
Q&A Sessions
- Thu 26 Sep 11am
- Thu 3 Oct 8.15pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 2 Oct 6.15pm
Partners & Supporters
This production would not be possible without the continued support of our partners and our valued supporters. Thank you.
For more information on how to support Ensemble, contact Stephen Attfield, Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager, on stephena@ensemble.com.au or call 02 8918 3400.