Cloudstreet is an epic stage adaptation of Tim Winton’s enormously successful and muchloved novel of the same name.
Set in post-war Perth, Cloudstreet follows the fluctuating fortunes and changing relationships of two families—the Lambs and the Pickles—who inhabit the same rambling old house. Collectively their stories, told over a twenty-year period, interweave to tell a much bigger story: the recent history of Australia as experienced by its communities and citizens.
Premiered to great acclaim by Company B Belvoir and Black Swan Theatre in Sydney in 1998, the production went on to international success, including performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York and the National Theatre, London.
‘Cloudstreet is a huge, organic, metaphorical play, intensely moving, funny and tragic.’—Australian
‘Some of the play’s resilience, tribal rifts, heartaches and issues of identity recall pilgrimages charted by James Joyce, John Steinbeck and E.L. Doctorow but Cloudstreet is plainly Australian and speaks directly to our hearts.’—Sydney Morning Herald
‘A play prepared to reflect on good, evil, chance, fate and the mystery of things.’—The Times (London)
Tim Winton achieved prominence when his first novel, An Open Swimmer, was announced joint-winner of the Australian/Vogel National Literary Award in 1981. He is now the author of over twenty books, several of which have either won or been nominated for major awards.
Nick Enright (1950–2003) was a performer, teacher, director and playwright whose works include Blackrock, Daylight Saving, A Property of the Clan and Summer Rain.
Justin Monjo is an actor and writer for the stage and screen, who previously co-adapted Tim Winton’s That Eye, The Sky.
JUSTIN MONJO is both an actor and stage and screen writer. Together with co-writer Richard Roxburgh he previously adapted Tim Winton's That Eye, the Sky for Burning House's stage production.
NICK ENRIGHT (1950–2003) trained for the theatre at New York University School of Arts after early experience in Australia including with Nimrod and MTC. He was an actor, director and teacher as well as a writer. His plays include On the Wallaby, Daylight Saving, St James Infirmary, Mongrels, A Property of the Clan, The Quartet from Rigoletto, Blackrock, Good Works, Spurboard and A Man with Five Children. With Justin Monjo he adapted Tim Winton's Cloudstreet for the stage. He has also written for film and television, including co-writing with George Miller the screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil which was nominated for an Oscar. He has written a number of musicals including The Venetian Twins and Summer Rain with composer Terence Clarke. He wrote the book for the Australian production of The Boy From Oz. Among many awards were two Green Room Awards for Best Play, and four Gold AWGIE Awards, the 1998 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award and the NSW Premiers' Special Award. As well as being a prolific writer, Enright was a noted acting teacher, particularly at NIDA and WAAPA.
| Cast Info | 6F, 8M |
| Genres | Adaptations, Australian History, Drama, Epic, Surreal/magic realism |
| Themes | Large Cast |
| Audiences | Adult, Primary: up to Year 6, Secondary: Years 10-12 |
| Extent | 128 |
| Edition | Standard |
| Size | 210 x 137 |