Black Swan State Theatre Company has announced its 2027 season, a six-production program spanning contemporary Australian writing, international classics, psychological drama and high-energy comedy.

The season features four works by Western Australian writers alongside two acclaimed international plays, with productions presented at His Majesty’s Theatre, Subiaco Arts Centre, Heath Ledger Theatre and Studio Underground.

It will also be the final season under Artistic Director Kate Champion, who will hand over the role to incoming Artistic Director Matt Edgerton at the end of her tenure.

“While reflecting on seasons past and imagining the coming year, I keep returning to the undeniable reality that none of these shows can happen without complex collaboration and the deep consideration of many minds, hands, hearts, and voices,” Champion says.

She also acknowledged the support of Western Australian audiences and the wider arts community during her tenure.

“It has been an extraordinary experience, and I will always carry WA’s generosity close to my heart.”

A Room with a View. Image © Black Swan State Theatre Company

The season opens with a WA premiere of A Room with a View (5–14 March, His Majesty’s Theatre), a mischievous adaptation of E.M. Forster’s classic by WA-raised playwright Grace Chapple, directed by Hannah Goodwin. Kate Atkinson, Tom Conroy, Hayley McElhinney and Nathalie Morris lead a story of love, sexual awakening and the conflict between convention and desire.

Next is the world premiere of Gita Bezard’s Wicked Little Beasts (20 May – 5 June, Subiaco Arts Centre), directed by Rachel McMurray. The play follows a group of schoolgirls confined to their bedrooms after a mysterious illness strikes their town, as they turn against the restrictions imposed on them.

Bishanyia Vincent and Alex Kirwan: Sardines. Photo © Black Swan State Theatre Company

Hellie Turner’s Sardines (10–27 June, Subiaco Arts Centre) receives its WA premiere, with Pippa Grandison making her Black Swan directorial debut. The two-hander follows an unlikely relationship between street kid Jason and reclusive Gloria, played by Alex Kirwan and Bishanyia Vincent, as hostility gives way to connection and the possibility of forgiveness.

Edgerton directs the WA premiere of Florian Zeller’s The Father (17 July – 8 August, Heath Ledger Theatre), translated by Christopher Hampton. The acclaimed drama follows André as his grip on reality begins to fracture. WA-born actor Claire van der Boom makes her Black Swan debut alongside George Shevtsov.

The second world premiere is Grace Chow’s The Noodle Shop on the Corner of Fourth Street (8–24 October, Studio Underground), directed by Ian Michael and featuring Chow in the cast. A journalist’s questionable lie sends her into a surreal comic mystery involving ghosts, stray cats, family secrets and the Pacific Ocean.

The 39 Steps. Image © Black Swan State Theatre Company

Black Swan closes the season with The 39 Steps (6–28 November, Heath Ledger Theatre), Patrick Barlow’s comic adaptation of John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s film.

Directed by Adam Mitchell, the production sees four actors take on more than 130 characters in a fast-moving blend of thriller, romance and farce.

The 2027 season is on sale to Black Swan Friends from 8 October with tickets open to the general public from 15 October. For more information, visit blackswantheatre.com.au