In 2005, after suffering heart problems, Australian playwright David Williamson announced his retirement. But as a new drug helped his recovery, the playwriting bug bit again and before long he was writing prolifically, with the Ensemble Theatre becoming his regular Sydney home.

In unveiling the Ensemble’s 2020 season Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry announced the inclusion of yet another new Williamson play, Crunch Time – but this time it really will be Williamson’s final play before he retires after a remarkable 50-year career as one of Australia’s most popular dramatists.

The 2020 Ensemble program features 11 plays, eight of which are world premieres. Seven plays are written by women and four will be directed by women. The company is also co-producing its first play with Sydney Festival as the season opener. So, what is in store for Ensemble audiences?

BLACK COCKATOO

Promotional image for Black Cockatoo. Photograph © Christian Trinder

The 2020 Ensemble season opens with Black Cockatoo, a new play by Geoffrey Atherden, inspired by the true story of legendary cricketer Johnny Mullagh, a Jardwadjali man from Western Victoria, and member of...