The incandescent Nikki Shiels (Belvoir’s My Brilliant Career, STC’s The Picture of Dorian Gray) returns to STC this month in Sunday, Melbourne Theatre Company’s acclaimed ode to iconic arts philanthropist Sunday Reed – the mentor and muse to artists of Australia’s famed modernist collective, the Heide Circle, including Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and Joy Hester.

Playing Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre from 28 October, Sunday delves into the passionate love triangle between wealthy arts patron Sunday Reed, played by Shiels, her husband, John Reed, played by Matt Day (STC’s Blithe Spirit, ABC TV’s Rake), and the Heide Circle’s most famous member, Sidney Nolan, played by James O’Connell (STC’s Into the Shimmering World). They are joined by Ratidzo Mambo as celebrated modernist painter Joy Hester, and Jude Hyland as Sweeney Reed.

Written by award-winning playwright Anthony Weigh and helmed by one of the country’s most accomplished directors, Sarah Goodes (STC’s Julia, on stage at Sydney Opera House until October 19), Sunday is a dazzling exploration of love, social politics, history and art that reveals the complex relationships that gave rise to the most iconic Australian artworks of the 20^th century including Nolan’s Ned Kelly series.

Nikki Shiels said, “Anthony Weigh’s extraordinary new Australian play activates Sunday Reed from her role as muse and places her at the psychological centre of an imagined retelling of events that were so emotionally entangled and explosive. Australian art, and the lives of those close to her, were changed forever. It is a dream to be able to breathe life into a woman with such intellectual dexterity, sensitivity, passion, ruthlessness and emotional complexity. I can’t wait to share her brilliance with Sydney audiences.”

The creative team bringing this instant classic to the stage features Anna Cordingley (Set Designer), Harriet Oxley (Costume Designer), Paul Jackson (Lighting Designer), Jethro Woodward (Composer & Sound Designer), Sonya Suares (Assistant Director), Beau Esposito (Assistant Sound Designer), Geraldine Cook-Dafner (Voice Coach), Amy Cater (Intimacy Coordinator), and Lyndall Grant (Fight Choreographer).

Sunday plays Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre from 28 October 2024.

A Melbourne Theatre Company production. 

SUNDAY
By Anthony Weigh
Directed by Sarah Goodes
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Season 28 October – 17 December 2024
Tickets via (02) 9250 1777 / sydneytheatre.com.au
Imagery available here

Director Sarah Goodes
Set Designer Anna Cordingley
Costume Designer Harriet Oxley
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer & Sound Designer Jethro Woodward
Assistant Director Sonya Suares
Assistant Sound Designer Beau Esposito
Voice Coach Geraldine Cook-Dafner
Intimacy Coordinator Amy Cater
Fight Choreographer Lyndall Grant

With
Matt Day, Jude Hyland, Ratidzo Mambo, James O’Connell, Nikki Shiels

Josh McConville, who was originally cast in the role of Sidney Nolan, has withdrawn from the production due to a scheduling conflict.