Strong is the New Pretty
24 – 26 September
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions co-production
The celebrated Australian playwright behind sell-out smash hit RBG: Of Many, One and international phenomena Prima Facie and Inter Alia, Suzie Miller turns her extraordinary imagination to the birth of the AFLW in this world premiere.
In 2010, an official report into the state of Australian Rules Football recommended the creation of a national women’s league. Seven years and a whole lot of grit, passion and fancy footwork later, the AFLW was born. This is inspired by the incredible story of how the league went from a pipe dream to a sensation the sports world could no longer ignore.
With her gift for finding the political in the personal and trademark insight and warmth, Miller joins forces with multi-award-winning director Sarah Giles (The Importance of Being Earnest, No Pay? No Way!). Now fielding a brilliant lineup of eight players – Lucy Bell (Appropriate), Amy Hack (Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl), Amy Ingram (Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe), Edyll (Send Help, NBC’s La Brea), Amber McMahon (Accidental Death of an Anarchist), Tara Morice (Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom), newcomer Nyasha Ogden and Contessa Treffone (Picnic at Hanging Rock) – this dream team writes a love letter to a game and a community.
It’s theatre written in mud, sweat, and belief. It’s not just about a sport. It’s about a revolution.
★★★★ “A pacy, crowd-pleasing production” – The Guardian
“Inventive, energetic and frequently laugh-out-loud funny” – Stage Whispers
“Entertaining and thought-provoking” – The Conversation
★★★★ “An incredible night of theatre… I walked in as someone who knew very little about sport. I walked out with a new sense of community, team spirit” – The Scoop
Kick it to me!
Pre-show In Conversation Panel | Thursday 24 September, 5.45pm – 6.30pm | The Playhouse Foyer
Presented in partnership with The Minerva Network
Inspired by the themes of Strong is the New Pretty, join a pre-show panel discussion exploring life in and beyond elite competition, creating space for oneself where none exists, and how women athletes can continue to shape the future of sport long after their playing careers end. Moderated by Toni Cody, the conversation features Olympian and entrepreneur Bronte Campbell OAM, Australian Sports Commission Chair Kate Jenkins AO, and elite football official Delfina Shakespear. Together they’ll discuss leadership, mentorship, advocacy and creating pathways for the next generation of women in sport.
Free to attend, but registrations are essential. Places are limited – register here.
Supported by A by Adina.
Go behind the scenes with the cast of Strong is the New Pretty as they discuss bringing a new Suzie Miller work to life.
What does it mean to see the AFLW journey transformed into theatre? Players and club members share their thoughts.
This play is a fictional imagining by the playwright of true events. It combines fiction with references to true events and inspiration from interviews and other sources, and reflects the honestly held opinions of the playwright. The play is not endorsed by anyone who developed or played in the AFLW or the AFL, and neither the AFL nor any individual team have sponsored, approved, or been affiliated with the development of this play, nor had any artistic input into the play or production.
Show details:
Synopsis
24 – 26 September
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions co-production
The celebrated Australian playwright behind sell-out smash hit RBG: Of Many, One and international phenomena Prima Facie and Inter Alia, Suzie Miller turns her extraordinary imagination to the birth of the AFLW in this world premiere.
In 2010, an official report into the state of Australian Rules Football recommended the creation of a national women’s league. Seven years and a whole lot of grit, passion and fancy footwork later, the AFLW was born. This is inspired by the incredible story of how the league went from a pipe dream to a sensation the sports world could no longer ignore.
With her gift for finding the political in the personal and trademark insight and warmth, Miller joins forces with multi-award-winning director Sarah Giles (The Importance of Being Earnest, No Pay? No Way!). Now fielding a brilliant lineup of eight players – Lucy Bell (Appropriate), Amy Hack (Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl), Amy Ingram (Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe), Edyll (Send Help, NBC’s La Brea), Amber McMahon (Accidental Death of an Anarchist), Tara Morice (Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom), newcomer Nyasha Ogden and Contessa Treffone (Picnic at Hanging Rock) – this dream team writes a love letter to a game and a community.
It’s theatre written in mud, sweat, and belief. It’s not just about a sport. It’s about a revolution.
★★★★ “A pacy, crowd-pleasing production” – The Guardian
“Inventive, energetic and frequently laugh-out-loud funny” – Stage Whispers
“Entertaining and thought-provoking” – The Conversation
★★★★ “An incredible night of theatre… I walked in as someone who knew very little about sport. I walked out with a new sense of community, team spirit” – The Scoop
Kick it to me!
Pre-show In Conversation Panel | Thursday 24 September, 5.45pm – 6.30pm | The Playhouse Foyer
Presented in partnership with The Minerva Network
Inspired by the themes of Strong is the New Pretty, join a pre-show panel discussion exploring life in and beyond elite competition, creating space for oneself where none exists, and how women athletes can continue to shape the future of sport long after their playing careers end. Moderated by Toni Cody, the conversation features Olympian and entrepreneur Bronte Campbell OAM, Australian Sports Commission Chair Kate Jenkins AO, and elite football official Delfina Shakespear. Together they’ll discuss leadership, mentorship, advocacy and creating pathways for the next generation of women in sport.
Free to attend, but registrations are essential. Places are limited – register here.
Supported by A by Adina.
Go behind the scenes with the cast of Strong is the New Pretty as they discuss bringing a new Suzie Miller work to life.
What does it mean to see the AFLW journey transformed into theatre? Players and club members share their thoughts.
This play is a fictional imagining by the playwright of true events. It combines fiction with references to true events and inspiration from interviews and other sources, and reflects the honestly held opinions of the playwright. The play is not endorsed by anyone who developed or played in the AFLW or the AFL, and neither the AFL nor any individual team have sponsored, approved, or been affiliated with the development of this play, nor had any artistic input into the play or production.
Dates & Times
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 7pm (Preview)
Friday 25 September 2026, 7pm (Opening night)
Saturday 26 September 2026, 1pm (Audio Described & Tactile Tour) & 7pm (Live Captioned)
Details
PRESENTED BY:
Canberra Theatre Centre
A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions Co-Production
Strong is the New Pretty
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
Originally commissioned by Trish Wadley Productions.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
DURATION:
Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes, with no interval.
TICKET DELIVERY:
Please note your tickets will only become available 72 hours before your performance, via the delivery method outlined in your order confirmation email.
ACCESS SERVICES:
Audio Described – Saturday 26 September 2026, 1pm and pre-show Tactile Tour, 11.30am
Live Captioned – Saturday 26 September 2026, 7pm | PROMO CODE: CAPTION
WARNINGS:
This performance contains haze effects, a complete theatrical blackout, flashing light effects, strong language and mature themes.
AGE SUITABILITY:
This performance is suitable for audiences aged 10+ or with parental discretion.
VENUE:
The Playhouse
SEATING PLAN
ACCESS INFORMATION
Cast & Creatives
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
Designer Christina Smith
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer Clemence Williams
Sound Designer Brady Watkins
Video Designer Craig Wilkinson
Movement Director Kelley Abbey
Dramaturg Jonathan Ware
Assistant Director Julia Robertson
Voice and Text Director Charmian Gradwell
Lighting Associate Matthew Erren
Intimacy Coordinator Chloë Dallimore
Safety Coordinator Diego Retamales
With
Lucy Bell
Edyll
Amy Hack
Amy Ingram
Amber McMahon
Tara Morice
Nyasha Ogden
Contessa Treffone
NEED TO KNOW
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Book tickets to any three 2026 shows and take advantage of membership benefits until 31 December 2026.
Plus! 2027 performances are now on sale. Book tickets to any three 2027 shows and unlock membership benefits starting 1 January 2027.
Buying any ticket to any show counts towards your membership, so whether you want to laugh, dance or feel something totally new, your path to membership is uniquely yours.
Throughout the year, members will enjoy priority presales, flexible ticket options, exclusive invites, discounts at the Link Bar and special offers at nearby restaurants – all the little extras that make your time at the theatre feel like it was made just for you.
TICKETING & SAFETY
Canberra Ticketing is the authorised ticket seller for Canberra Theatre Centre events with tickets sold and issued by QTIX as the ticketing agent. You will receive various communications from both Canberra Ticketing and QTIX while purchasing tickets in the new system.
Please be aware that Canberra Theatre Centre has no obligation to honour tickets purchased via unauthorised re-sellers. If you attend the event with a ticket purchased via an unauthorised re-seller such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, The Ticket Merchant, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or otherwise, you may be refused entry to the event.
Find further information on ticket resale and scalping here.
Concessions
A range of concession prices are available to all our Canberra Theatre Centre patrons, and the exact nature of concessions will vary from show to show. We recommend that you check the specific pricing of each show when making your purchasing decision. Where concession prices are listed, proof of eligibility for concession must be presented at the Canberra Ticketing Box Office upon collection of tickets or full price may be charged.
Your safety is our priority
Here at Canberra Theatre Centre, we are committed to delivering safe & enjoyable performing arts experiences. View important information at COVID Safe Operations.
