PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Dot and Pearl live in Wittenoom; the blue asbestos mining town in WA’s Pilbara. So begin glorious days, when the Pilbara’s stunning landscapes, magnificent wildlife and close-knit community shaped an idyllic lifestyle; wild-natured Dot making the most of every second, while teenaged Pearl tries to make sense of what her own life might be. 

Wittenoom follows Dot and Pearl’s personal story, filled with humour, sorrow,  and the friends they make along the way. Butler expertly weaves their journey into the frame of the Wittenoom tragedy, asking questions about accountability in an era where the health and cultural impacts of mining ricochet as heavily in 2022 as they did in 1962.

Wittenoom won the Shane & Cathryn Brennan Prize for Playwriting.

Wittenoom was developed through Red Stitch’s INK program.

"With Wittenoom, Mary Anne Butler has achieved something remarkable."

"an intense, passionate play, sharp and evocative in its imagery"
- Stage Whispers -

CAST & CREATIVES

Writer Mary Anne Butler
Director Susie Dee
Set & Costume Design Dann Barber
Lighting Design Rachel Burke
Composition/Sound Design Ian Moorhead
Asst. Lighting Design Spencer Herd
Stage Manager/Assistant Director
Cassandra Fumi
Assistant Stage Manager Georgina Bright

Cast
Emily Goddard
Caroline Lee

DATES & TICKETS

Previews 26 - 31 Jan | Season 1 - 19 Feb 

Wed - Sat 7.30pm
Sun - 6.30pm
Wed Matinees 8th/15th Feb - 12pm
Sat Matinee 11th Feb - 2pm
Sat Matinee 18th Feb - 2pm

Q&A’s Post Show
Wed Matinee 8th/15th Feb - 12pm
Thur 9th Feb - 7.30pm

Thur 26 – Tues 31 Jan $28
Wed 1 – Sun 19 Feb $20 - $69

"a deft and graceful display of huge emotional range"

"powerfully directed by Susie Dee"

"you will spread the wings of your imagination in this peerless production." ★★★★ 1/2
- Arts Hub -

"brilliantly conceived and executed"

"a deeply moving and engaging play"

"The narrative is heartbreaking, the performances superb."

"Visceral theatre at its finest"

"magnificently directed by Susie Dee"
- The Blurb -

"written with the poetic flare that has come to define Butler’s work"
- Australian Arts Review -

SCHOOLS INFORMATION

Wittenoom has been selected for the
VCE PLAYLIST DRAMA 2023. School bookings can be made via the link below. Download your sneak-peek schools packs here. Full VCE schools pack coming in 2023. Sample script here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Running time approximately 65 minutes with no interval.

CONTENT WARNING
Haze used.

Please contact the Box Office if you have specific concerns.

Promotional photo by Robert Blackburn & Work Art Life Studios.

Production photos by Jodie Hutchinson.