JULIA at the Playhouse, QPAC Tickets
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About JULIA
Not now, not ever.
In 2012, Julia Gillard gave a speech that sent shockwaves around the world as our first female Prime Minister thundered across the Despatch Box: “I will not”.
Over a decade later, one of Australia’s most esteemed playwrights, Joanna Murray-Smith, tells the human story behind the extraordinary speech in a stirring and inspiring re-examination of that moment and a revelatory portrait of the woman who made it happen.
Directed by Helpmann Award-winner Sarah Goodes, Julia is a critical and box office triumph, dazzling audiences across the country with its profound, wry and intoxicating exploration of gender, privilege and power.
The phenomenal Justine Clarke delivers a “heroic performance” (The Sydney Morning Herald) that takes us through key moments in Prime Minister Gillard’s life – from her childhood through to her foray into and across the battlefield of Australian politics – culminating in an “electrifying” (The Guardian) verbatim performance of the ‘misogyny speech’.
Run time
1hr 30min. No Interval.
Categories
Age
Ages 15+.
Start date
16th August, 2025
End date
30th August, 2025
Venue
Playhouse | Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Accessibility
QPAC is dedicated to being welcoming, accessible and inclusive for the widest possible audience. Your visit to QPAC may involve some stairs. Each theatre has lifts which assist patrons with mobility difficulties to access all foyers.
Directions
GETTING TO THE VENUE
BY TRAIN: Stop at South Brisbane Station, opposite QPAC in Grey Street.
BY BUS: From 15 August the outbound bus services platform has moved to the end of Victoria Bridge across to the other side of Grey St (Melbourne St, opposite Starbucks Coffee). Platform 2 and Platform 3 will remain in this location for the duration of the Brisbane Metro works. Services will continue to operate from this temporary location as per bus timetables.
BY CITYCAT: Stop at the South Bank ferry stop, which is only a short walk along the river from QPAC.
BY TAXI: The taxi area is located on the Grey Street side of QPAC. Free taxi phones are located in the Melbourne Street foyer, Cremorne Theatre lobby and near the Playhouse cloakroom.
BY CAR: There are a number of paid carparks available in the vicinity. We advise reviewing the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Visit Guide, for full details.
More information about JULIA
"Fast-paced and clever…a celebration of women in power and a stark look at what it takes to get there." - The Australian
Written by: Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by: Sarah Goodes
Designer: Renée Mulder
Lighting Designer: Alexander Berlage
Composer and Sound Designer: Steve Francis
Video Designer: Susie Henderson
Cast: Justine Clarke
Please note: this play is a fictional imagining by the playwright, of true events in the life of Julia Gillard. It combines references to true events, extracts from published works, interviews, fictitious commentary and opinions which the Playwright and the Producers believe to be honestly held. Ms Gillard has not endorsed or read, nor had any artistic input into the production of, this play.
Night with the Artists: Tue 26 Aug 6:30pm | Auslan Interpreted: Fri 22 Aug 7:30pm | Audio Described: Fri 22 Aug 7:30pm, Sat 23 Aug 2025, 2:00pm | Tactile Tour: Fri 22 Aug 7:30pm, Sat 23 Aug 2:00pm (tour starts 90min before showtime)
Frequently asked questions
What is the running time of JULIA?
JULIA runs for 1hr 30min. No Interval.
Which theatre is JULIA at?
JULIA is at South Brisbane's Playhouse | Queensland Performing Arts Centre, which is located at Corner of Grey and Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, 4101.
How much are tickets for JULIA?
JULIA tickets start at $84.
What is the age recommendation for JULIA?
Ages 15+.
How do you get tickets for JULIA?
Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on JULIA tickets on TodayTix.
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