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The Secret River (stage version)

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The Secret River (stage version)

by Kate Grenville

Adapted by Andrew Bovell

Published by: Playwrights Canada Press

Imprint: Nick Hern Books

Sales Date: 2019-08-08

Paperback

CA$27.95

Published: August 2019

Product Details

Imprint: Nick Hern Books

Page Count: 136 Pages

Dimensions: 5.00 x 7.75

136 Pages, 5.00 x 7.75 x 0.40 in

Paperback

CA$27.95

ISBN: 9781848428706

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William Thornhill arrives in New South Wales a convict from the slums of London. Upon earning his pardon he discovers that this new world offers something he didn't dare dream of: a place to call his own.

But as he plants a crop and lays claim to the soil on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, he finds that this land is not his to take. Its ancient custodians are the Dharug people.

A deeply moving and unflinching journey into Australia's dark history, Andrew Bovell's adaptation of Kate Grenville's acclaimed novel The Secret River was first performed by the Sydney Theatre Company in 2013.

The play had its UK premiere in August 2019, as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, before transferring to the National Theatre, London.

This edition includes an introduction by adapter Andrew Bovell, a foreword by historian Henry Reynolds, and music used in the original production.

'The Secret River is a sad book, beautifully written and, at times, almost unbearable with the weight of loss, competing distresses and the impossibility of making amends' Observer on the novel The Secret River

Kate Grenville is one of Australia's best-known authors. Her books include the international best-seller The Secret River, The Idea of Perfection, The Lieutenant and Lilian's Story. Her novels have won many awards both in Australia and the UK, several have been made into major feature films, and all have been translated into European and Asian languages.

Andrew Bovell is a critically acclaimed Australian playwright and screenwriter.

His theatre credits include Things I Know To Be True (Frantic Assembly and the State Theatre Company of South Australia, 2016); The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company, 2013 Sydney Festival and 2016 national tour, winner of six Helpmann Awards including Best Play, as well as Best New Work Sydney Theatre Awards); When the Rain Stops Falling (Brink Production/State Theatre Company, 2008 Adelaide Festival, Almeida Theatre, Lincoln Centre NYC, winner of five Lucille Lortell Awards). Earlier works include Speaking in Tongues and Holy Day.

Film credits include Strictly Ballroom, A Most Wanted Man, Edge of Darkness, Blessed, Lantana, and Head On.

"A compelling historical epic... unforgettable and unmissable."
Telegraph

"Combines masterly storytelling with metaphorical resonance... a mesmerising story... memorably and movingly pinpoints a crucial moment in Australian history."
Guardian

"Flows and thunders, and inescapably sweeps you away... a hugely powerful adaptation."
The Stage

"A ravishing and sobering epic... a huge and impressive piece of theatre, that tells us a story about our own past that we ought to listen to."
Time Out

"A mammoth production that takes a small family story and projects it onto a narrative of nations."
WhatsOnStage

"A sweeping saga with deep currents... an epic story from Australia's brutal past."
The Times

"A powerful confrontation with Australia's colonial past... essential."
Financial Times

"A stunning and shattering piece of theatre."
Sunday Telegraph (Australia)

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The Secret River (stage version)

The Secret River (stage version)

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