Sydney Premiere of ‘Dear Son’ – A heartfelt opening to Belvoir’s 2026 Season
-BELVOIR PRESENTS DEAR SON BASED ON THE BOOK BY THOMAS MAYO ADAPTED BY ISAAC DRANDIC AND JOHN HARVEY
-DIRECTED BY ISAAC DRANDIC
-CO-PRODUCED BY QUEENSLAND THEATRE COMPANY AND STATE THEATRE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
★★★★ “Powerful” — Limelight
★★★★ 1⁄2 “Beautifully Crafted” — ArtsHub
“Emotionally Affecting” — The Scoop
After extended hit seasons in Brisbane and Adelaide, Belvoir and Sydney Festival are thrilled
to present the Sydney debut of Dear Son, a deeply moving celebration of First Nations fathers
and sons, from 8th to 25th January 2026.
Directed by Noongar man Isaac Drandic (At What Cost, Coranderrk) and featuring a cast of
five, Dear Son is a collection of messages to the future and the past that honours wisdom
passed down through generations.
In the referendum’s aftermath, twelve Indigenous men were asked to write a letter to their son – or father – about themselves, their mob, their story, their hopes for the future, and the things they’ve never said before. From Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander author Thomas Mayo’s seemingly simple idea comes Drandic and Harvey’s critically acclaimed theatrical event.
Belvoir’s Artistic Director Eamon Flack said, “This tender and truthful piece of theatre is a small model for greater possibility: a rightful place in this country for the strength and vulnerability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Presented with Sydney Festival, for a limited season in summer, I can’t think of a better way to start the year than the thoughtfulness and emotional integrity of Dear Son.”
Director Isaac Drandic said, “The significance of bringing these letters and these stories to the
stage now is that we as men have to be able to talk about what’s going on for us. I think we’ve
been taught that it’s not manly or it’s not masculine to speak about your feelings. I hope
audiences, when they walk away from this work, feel a sense of joy. I’d love them to celebrate
who we are as men and as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men together.”
The cast includes beloved luminaries including Wagadagam man Jimi Bani (My Name is Jimi, The Sapphires); Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal man Luke Carroll (ABC’s Mystery Road, Play School); descendant of the Mer Island people and Pajinka Wik people, Waangenga Blanco (37,Patyegarang); Munanjali man Kirk Page (Black Diggers, Redfern Now); and Warrgamay, Girramay, and Kalkadoon man Tibian Wyles (37, Black Diggers).
Don’t miss this heartfelt opening to Belvoir’s 2026 season.
Dear Son
Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Dates: 8 – 25 January 2026
Tickets: https://belvoir.com.au/productions/dear-son/ or (02) 9699 3444
