Playing the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House from February 9, The Normal Heart is presented in partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Almost forty years after its Australian premiere at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) in 1989, Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking, semi-autobiographical and Tony and Olivier Award-winning masterpiece The Normal Heart returns for STC’s 2026 season – the first under new Artistic Director Mitchell Butel, who also stars in the production.
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 Heartwas 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.
Directed by award-winning writer and director, Dean Bryant (Hubris & Humiliation, Dear Evan Hansen), STC’s 2026 production of The Normal Heart stars STC Artistic Director Mitchell Butel, 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 Sinand 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 will be joined onstage by cellist Rowena Macneish.
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, who says it is an ‘’honour’’ to perform this play in Sydney for a new generation:
“The Normal Heart is a landmark play from the past that speaks very much to our present and future. It shines a light on the power and value of community and advocacy, but it is also a deep meditation on authenticity, family, purpose and what it is to love, what it is to fail and what it is to begin again. It is a play that makes me laugh and makes me cry and it’s an honour for me to once more be part of this production that has moved audiences so profoundly”.
After a critically acclaimed season at State Theatre Company South Australia, director Dean Bryant says he is thrilled to bring this production to Sydney, “one of the epicentres of activism during the early AIDs outbreak’’:
‘’The Normal Heart celebrates the power and challenges of fighting for the right to survive, honouring the past as well as speaking to the ongoing struggles of the marginalised right now. Anchored by Mitchell Butel’s spectacular performance, I’ve rarely seen a play land on an audience with such an emotional punch,” he said.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Jesse Matheson says The Normal Heart is a story that represents the festival’s new era and 2026 theme, which celebrates its roots in protest, visibility and community moving forward together: “The Normal Heart resonates deeply with this year’s festival theme ECSTATICA and its exploration of queer emotion and transformation, reminding us how shared struggle can ignite courage and collective joy. The play tells a story that sits at the core of Mardi Gras’ history – of LGBTQIA+ communities coming together in the face of fear, stigma and loss. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ partnership with the Sydney Theatre Company for the 2026 Season unites two cultural institutions to honour those who lived through the AIDS crisis, celebrate the resilience they forged, and remind us all how far we have come and how far we still must go. We invite our community to experience The Normal Heart, together.”
Queer Night at Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
A signature arts event of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Tuesday 17 February performance of The Normal Heart will be a special Queer Night with a post-show panel discussing the themes of this Queer classic and celebrating Sydney Theatre Company’s LGBTQI+ community members and allies.
Queer Backstage Tours at Sydney Theatre Company
We are thrilled to bring back our fabulous Queer Backstage Tours for The Normal Heart and 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Sydney Theatre Company has a rich history of LGBTQIA+ storytelling on our stages, as well as behind the scenes. Queer Backstage Tours take place at Sydney Theatre Company’s home at Wharf 4/5 in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and provide exclusive access to Queer theatrical memories of groundbreaking productions from the 1980s to now and offer chance to see the departments that bring plays to life.
You will see iconic set designs, stunning production images, fabulous costumes and hear some iconic stories that have been unearthed from the extensive STC archives. After the tour, you can enjoy a complimentary Archie Rose canned cocktail and iconic harbour views at The Wharf Restaurant and Bar. Tours take place on Thursday 19 and Thursday 26 February at 5:30pm.
This production of The Normal Heart was originally produced by State Theatre Company South Australia. The 2026 production is presented by Sydney Theatre Company, in association with Wagnan Productions Sarah Rohrsheim and, community partners Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and ACON.
Tickets for Sydney Theatre Company’s The Normal Heart at Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House are on sale now at 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
Night with the Artists: Mon 23 Feb, post-show Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Queer Night: Tues 17 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
