Smash-hit play JULIA returns to Melbourne in 2025

Sydney Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre’s production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s runaway hit, Julia, will return to Melbourne for a strictly limited run at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 25 June ahead of seasons with Queensland Theatre and Merrigong Theatre Company in 2025.

Justine Clarke will revive her remarkable performance as Julia Gillard, which has garnered widespread praise for her “electrifying” embodiment of Australia’s first female Prime Minister, “played with astonishing restraint” (The Guardian).

A national tour in 2024 concluded with Clarke having performed the role an incredible 198 times to over 100,000 people around the country since the show’s premiere at Canberra Theatre Centre in 2023.

Clarke’s performance is purely magnificent” – Time Out

Justine Clarke brilliantly becomes Gillard in this heroic performance” – Sydney Morning Herald

Murray-Smith’s powerful monologue takes us through key moments in Prime Minister Gillard’s life and culminates in a stirring verbatim performance of the famed 2012 ‘misogyny speech’ that sent shockwaves around the world.

Helmed by Helpmann Award-winning director Sarah Goodes (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sunday) this unmissable two-hander examines the indelible impact Gillard’s speech has had on an entire generation.

Julia is both a compelling insight into the person behind the public mask and a searing reflection on the experience of women in contemporary politics.

The superb creative team features designer Renée Mulder, lighting designer Alexander Berlage, composer & sound designer Steve Francis, and video designer Susie Henderson.

Julia plays at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 25 June-19 July 2025.

Julia is an STC commission and co-production with Canberra Theatre Centre.

This play is a fictional imagining by the playwright of true events in the life of Julia Gillard. It combines references to true events, extracts from published works, interviews, fictitious commentary and opinions which the Playwright and the Producers believe to be honestly held. Ms Gillard has not endorsed nor had any artistic input into the production of this play.

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Season Details

Venue: Playhouse| Arts Centre Melbourne
Date: 25 June-19 July 2025

Venue:Queensland Theatre| QPAC
Date: 16-30 Aug 2025

Venue: Merrigong Theatre| IPAC
Date: 3-13 Sept 2025

For more information click HERE