

Production still for "Picnic at Hanging Rock". L-R: Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Nikki Shiels, Elizabeth Nabben. Photographer: Pia Johnson
Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018)
By Tom Wright
06 February 2018 – 14 February 2018 Merlyn Theatre
Adapted from Joan Lindsay's novel
Malthouse Theatre, Black Swan Theatre Company,
New Adaptation Theatre Co-Production
On a summer’s day in 1900, during a trip to a volcanic beauty spot in rural Victoria, three schoolgirls and their teacher inexplicably vanish, never to be seen again. Giving a contemporary spin to Joan Lindsay’s cult 1967 book, this production features five female narrators whose efforts at reconstructing the mystery are overtaken by primal forces. Amid looming hysteria, their story twists and distorts, guiding us from civilisation and order to somewhere hostile, vast and unknown.
After sell-out seasons in Melbourne and Edinburgh, Matthew Lutton’s production of Picnic at Hanging Rock returned or a Malthouse Theatre encore before heading directly to the Barbican in London.
In this chilling adaptation, five school girls recount this enduring Australian mystery, that saw audiences screaming in their seats. Joan Lindsay’s summer classic is more haunting than ever.
Return season of Matthew Lutton's 2016 production. This production then toured to the Barbican Theatre in London, 21-24 February.
Picnic at Hanging Rock has been selected for the 2018 VCE Theatre Studies Playlist (Unit 3).
★★★★★
"AN EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO BEGUILE"
— Herald Scotland
Cast
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Set Designer, Costume Designer

Playwright

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Assistant Stage Manager
Acknowledgements
A Malthouse Theatre and Black Swan State Theatre Company production.