Almost forty years after its Australian premiere at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) in 1989, the STC and State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA) production of Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking, semi-autobiographical and Tony and Olivier Award-winning masterpiece The Normal Heart opened to standing ovations and three curtain calls at Sydney Opera House last night. Presented in partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras the season plays Drama Theatre Sydney Opera House until Saturday 14 March.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Queer Night post-show panel discussion on the play’s themes with Community Partner ACON
As signature arts event of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which begins this weekend, the Tuesday 17 February performance (6:30pm) of The Normal Heart will be followed by a special Queer Night with a post-show panel, presented by Sydney Theatre Company’s The Normal Heart community partner, ACON.
We have come a long way compared to the world of The Normal Heart. But many challenges faced by Ned Weeks and associates, friends and partners still ring true today. Join us for a fascinating post-show panel discussion featuring leading HIV, LGBTQ health and rights advocates as they explore activism, survival and resilience in the face of fear, indifference and stigma – from the time of The Normal Heart to today. Panellists will share insights on Australia’s HIV story and the role of visibility, storytelling, advocacy and community action in responding to issues and crises – then, now and into the future. Performance starts at 06:30pm and post-show panel is included in the price of your ticket. Book at sydneytheatre.com.au
Panellists:
Bill Bowtell Health policy strategist and advisor
Julie Bates Sex worker rights advocate and defender
Jane Costello HIV advocate and CEO of Positive Life NSW
Bo Justin Xiao Person living with HIV and peer worker
Mitchell Butel Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sydney Theatre Company, performer in The Normal Heart
Moderator Michael Woodhouse ACON CEO
WATCH an interview with The Normal Heart cast member Tim Draxl and Bill Bowtell on Instagram @SydneyTheatreCo
ABOUT THE NORMAL HEART
Set in 1980s New York at the height of the emerging AIDS crisis, the play remains one of the most powerful and urgent works of contemporary theatre, tracing the early years of the epidemic and the activists who fought to be heard. Witty, confronting and romantic, it is a monumental and moving tribute to the resilience and courage of a community in crisis and a poignant reminder of the power of people coming together and falling in love, even when the world seems to be falling apart.
Premiering off-Broadway in 1985 and running for almost 300 performances, The Normal Heart was the longest-running play in the history of The Public Theater. It made its Broadway debut in 2011, winning the TONY Award for Best Revival of a Play.
At the centre of the story is Ned Weeks, a New York writer battling to uncover the truth about the mystery illness affecting his community, played by four-time Helpmann Award-winner and STC Artistic Director and co-CEO Mitchell Butel. Directed by award-winning writer and director, Dean Bryant (Hubris & Humiliation, Dear Evan Hansen), STC’s 2026 production of The Normal Heart also stars , Nicholas Brown (Circle Mirror Transformation, Belvoir’s Counting and Cracking), Tim Draxl (Opera Australia’s Sunset Boulevard, SBS Erotic Stories), Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon, ABC’s Dance Academy), Fraser Morrison (Belvoir’s Grief is a Thing with Feathers, KXT on Broadway’s Cruise). They will be joined by STCSA original cast members, Michael Griffiths (best known for solo cabaret performances including Sydney Festival 2024’s It’s a Sin and Helpmann Award-winning cabaret, COLE); Mark Saturno (Edward Albee’s The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?; Girl from the North Country) and making their Sydney Theatre Company debuts, Evan Lever (Hayes Theatre’s Merrily We Roll Along) and Emma Jones (Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar; Joe vs Carole). They are joined onstage by cellist Rowena Macneish.
The Normal Heart plays Drama Theatre Sydney Opera House until Saturday 14 March sydneytheatre.com.au
THE NORMAL HEART
By Larry Kramer
Directed by Dean Bryant
With Nicholas Brown, Mitchell Butel, Tim Draxl, Michael Griffiths, Emma Jones, Evan Lever, Keiynan Lonsdale, Fraser Morrison, Mark Saturno and cellist Rowena Macneish
Director Dean Bryant
Designer Jeremy Allen
Lighting Designer Nigel Levings
Composer Hilary Kleinig
Sound Designer Andrew Howard
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Previews 9-11 February
Season from 13 February
Queer Night: Tues 17 Feb, post-show Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Night with the Artists: Mon 23 Feb, post-show Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Queer Backstage Tours: Thursday 19 and Thursday 26 February at 5:30pm, Sydney Theatre Company Wharf 4/5 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Box Office (02) 9250 1777 / sydneytheatre.com.au
Original Production by State Theatre Company South Australia
Presented by Sydney Theatre Company, in association with Wagnan Productions Sarah Rohrsheim and, community partners Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and ACON
