Packer & Sons

They’ve dominated Australia’s media for generations. They’re rich. They’re powerful. But what goes on behind the scenes? Renowned Australian writer Tommy Murphy was driven to discover and explore the backstage lives of the Packer family and uncover the myth of the Packer dynasty. This November, Murphy’s newest play Packer & Sons will open for its inaugural season at Belvoir St Theatre. Supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild’s David Williamson Prize, the piece boasts a stellar cast featuring John Howard, Nick Bartlett, John Gaden and a host of other Australian actors. 

Murphy spoke about the show saying, “Packer & Sons depicts the Packers across half a century, over three generations, to examine not only how they exercise their power in business but also over each other.”

Regarding the research behind the play, Murphy said: “I spoke to people who had worked closely with the Packers. I delved into the trove of historical material. I read all I could. But a play about figures as fascinating as these needs a focus.”

“From the outset for Packer & Sons that focus has been about the patriarchy. It is a story about fathers and sons and how a crown is passed from King to Prince. And it’s about those moments of contest between brother and brother or father and son.”

Murphy and the cast will be throwing audiences a curveball and hope Packer & Sons uncovers corners of the Packer dynasty that until this point have remained unseen. 

“We want to confound expectations. If you think you know exactly who these figures are, we want to surprise you.”

Nov 16-Dec 22. Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $30-$92+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

By Madison Behringer

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