The Puzzle

When you’ve got the right piece, you’re in no doubt.

All aboard for the world premiere of a dazzling new comedy from Australia’s most prolific and venerated playwright, David Williamson.

When the Dunstan Playhouse opened in 1974, former Artistic Director, George Ogilvie commissioned Williamson to write the now legendary play The Department for State Theatre Company South Australia. Fifty years later, the master wordsmith delivers to Adelaide audiences a delicious new black comedy about marriage, desire, polyamory and parenthood set to hit those same heights.

Married couple Mandy and Craig are bored with their (mostly) monogamous relationship. Eager to inject some vim into their vows, they book themselves in for a “lifestyle” cruise, where they meet Brian and Michele, similarly looking for some stimulation at sea…

Meanwhile, the buttoned-up Drew and his free-spirited daughter, Cassie are just trying to reconnect on what he thought was an “art” tour!

The keys go in the jar, the recriminations flow in the bar.

This large cast of comic experts is led by the AFI and Logie Award-winning Erik Thomson (Packed to the Rafters, Aftertaste) as Drew, Chris Asimos (Ripcord, Hibernation) as Brian, Ansuya Nathan (Hibernation) as Mandy, Anna Lindner (Blame the Rabbit, A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Wolf Creek), Nathan O’Keefe (Chalkface, Cathedral, Gaslight) and in her professional stage debut, the electric Ahunim Abebe as Cassie.

The White Lotus meets Triangle of Sadness meets Don’s Party in this bitingly funny, smart and surprising take on sex, secrecy and second chances, directed by Artistic Associate Shannon Rush (Cathedral).

“Williamson (is)… Australia’s most enduringly popular social comedy writer… keenly observant and satirical.” – The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Our greatest dramatic entertainer” – Australian Financial Review