Tony Award-winning play comes to the Northern Rivers

IT’S won Olivier and Tony Awards on the West End and Broadway, and now Northern Rivers audiences have the chance to see Prima Facie, with acclaimed local theatre company NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) bringing the production to the region.

Written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller, the one-woman play follows Tessa, a top-tier barrister who suddenly finds herself on the other side of the legal system during a criminal trial. The work explores such issues as power and gender inequality within the court system.

The role is a dream come true for Sydney-based actress Matilda Ridgway, who has been rehearsing at Byron Theatre for the past few weeks.

“Suzie Miller was a criminal lawyer for a long time so the whole thing smacks of authenticity,” she said.

“I have been a massive fan of the play for ages. It’s so sophisticated and serious and funny and political – it’s just a rock star piece for an actor.”

This is not Ridgway’s first collaboration with NORPA. She previously played Ophelia when the not-for-profit theatre company presented Bell Shakespeare’s production of Hamlet at Lismore City Hall in 2015.

Ridgway has also appeared in television series including Bump on Stan. She said she has long admired the work of Prima Facie director Heather Fairbairn.

“I wanted to be part of her production of Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth

Night, but then I found out I was pregnant with my second child so we couldn’t work together at that time,” she said. “So when the opportunity to do this came about I jumped at the chance.

“The show is obviously pretty challenging as an actor. It’s really testing everything that I have. It’s amazing to be given that kind of opportunity. The subject matter can be pretty full on but I’m just loving it. It’s really special to be around rigorous artists who are excited to make world class theatre.”

Since its stage success, Prima Facie has been adapted into a 300-page novel, with a film adaptation of the play also in the pipeline.

Prima Facie is at Byron Theatre 12 to 14 February, Tweed Heads Civic Centre 19 February, Murwillumbah Civic Centre 20 February and Star Court Theatre in Lismore 27 to 28 February.

For more information and tickets, visit norpa.org.au/events/prima-facie