Sometimes the longest friendships are the most complicated ones. Warren and Emily have been best friends since high school, suffering together through shitty teachers, coming out and failed relationships. Since Warren’s transition, it’s become obvious that there are lots of things they’re not saying to each other. Taking place in the aftermath of a falling out between protagonists Warren and Emily, ‘Back to Birdy’ is a candid and humorous look at chasms and contradictions within the queer community. How do old friendships reshape around identity politics and queer spaces? Set against the backdrop of Lesbian, Queer & GNC folk night ‘Birdcage’, the play takes the characters back to Birdy (ie. Birdcage) through a series of fluid flashbacks as they interact with their younger selves.

Developed through Fruit Box Theatre’s ‘RIPE Development Program’, ‘Back to Birdy’ is the culmination of 18 months of development from a collective of diverse queer actors and writers. This play is reflective of Fruit Box Theatre’s commitment to telling inclusive stories that reflect the lived experience of queer people in Australia. We are proud to be presenting this work in association with iconic Sydney venue The Imperial Erskineville for Sydney Mardi Gras 2024.

Playwright Z Bui
Director Sean Landis
Co-Producers Sonia Dodd and Kayla-Rose De Sousa
Assistant Director Lu Bradshaw
Stage Manager Jess Henley-Sadgrove
Sound Designer Aisling Bermingham
Set/Costume Designer Soham Apte
Lighting Designer Aron Murray

Warren Hayden Moon
Emily Gemma Dart
Past Warren Angelica Lockyer
Past Emily Chloe Jayne

Performing at The Imperial Erskineveille (35 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville)

Wednesday 21 February 7:30pm (preview)
Thursday 22 February 7:30pm (preview)
Friday 23 February 7:30pm (opening night)
Saturday 24 February 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday 25 February 6:00pm
Tuesday 27 February 7:30pm (Auslan Interpeted)
Wednesday 28 February 7:30pm (Trans Community Night)
Thursday 29 February 7:30pm
Friday 1 March 7:30pm
Wednesday 6 March 7:30pm
Thursday 7 March 7:30pm (closing night)

Preview $25
Concession $28
Adult $35
Ally $42

NOTE: All tickets are General Admission

We have endeavoured to keep ticket costs low for Back to Birdy, but also acknowledge that many experience a significant financial barrier to attending theatre. We have a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets set aside for each performance. Please email producer@fruitboxtheatre.com.au with your preferred date of attendance to access these tickets. Where possible First Nations, trans and people with disabilities will be prioritised.

References to attempted suicide
References to sexual assault

The Imperial's main entrance at the front of the building is wheelchair accessible

There are very limited parking spots outside the venue, and no disabled parking spots. There is one disabled parking spot outside of the Woolworths opposite the venue, and one in a carpark further down the street, next to the Erskineville Hotel

The entrance to the Basement has full lift access (with uneven flooring)

The Imperial has a disabled toilet on the 1st floor, which can be accessed via the lift. There are all gender bathrooms in the basement, with one larger stall that has a safety rail

The performance on the 27th Feb will be Auslan Interpreted

Note: Unfortunately due to venue constraints, there will be no wheelchair accessible seating on the nights of the 23rd, 24th Feb and the 1st March

If you have purchased tickets for these evenings, and require accessible seating, please contact our team and we happily exchange your tickets for another date which suits you, pending availability

All other evenings will have wheelchair and mobility friendly seating, but please notify our staff if you require these seats so we can ensure there is ample accessible seating for all patrons

If you have any further questions regarding accessibility, please contact our Access Coordinator, Courtney Henson, at producer@fruitboxtheatre.com.au or 0437 403 518.

★★★★★ “kicks us deservingly in the guts” - Paul Nolan, Sydney Arts Guide

★★★★ “A profoundly honest work of storytelling” - Alannah Sue, Time Out

★★★★ “Gemma Dart’s powerful and intimate performance as Emily is extraordinary” - Mark Pigott, Sydney Arts Guide

★★★★ “This show is a tribute to leading with openness and love, I adored it oh so much” - Spot On Sydney

Bui’s text rings with authenticity” - Suzy Goes See

“Gemma Dart is an agile, cunning, emotional fireball” - Theatre Ins and Outs

TIME OUT, ARTS AND CULTURE AWARDS (2024)

Winner: Best Play (People’s Choice)

Nominee: Best Play (Critic’s Choice)