Pulitzer Prize winner for STC

Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Disgraced, will receive its Australian premiere at Sydney Theatre Company this April. Directed by STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes, with design by Elizabeth Gadsby, a cast including Sachin Joab (right) and Paula Arundell will explore this drama at Sydney’s Wharf 1 from 16 April to 4 June, followed by performances in Wollongong, Parramatta and Canberra.

Corporate lawyer Amir is living the Manhattan dream. He’s happy, in love, and about to land a huge promotion. But to get there he’s had to renounce his culture and his faith. When he and his artist wife, Emily, host an intimate dinner party, it doesn’t take long for the civilised surface to crack and urbane chit chat is abandoned in a tense battle. This play illuminates issues of prejudice, race, religion and the sort of modern demonization that is simultaneously shocking and unsurprising.

Described by The New York Times as “terrific, turbulent drama,” Disgraced has been a sell-out hit on Broadway and across America.

“Sometimes a writer comes out and just nails an argument that everyone's been circling for a long time,” explains STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes. “Ayad Akhtar explores the politics of identity, in terms of Islam as a religion and a culture, in terms of how art can empower or exploit, in terms of how secular and liberal ideals butt up against history and tradition.”

Cast: Paula Arundell, Glenn Hazeldine, Sachin Joab, Shiv Palekar, Sophie Ross.

Bookings: 02 9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au. Tickets from $64 (fees apply)