In a theatrical event not to be missed, Australia’s renowned playwright Patricia Cornelius will debut her latest work, Truth, at Malthouse Theatre from Thursday 13 February to Saturday 8 March 2025.
Helmed by Susie Dee, a longtime collaborator of Cornelius, this play dives into the complex and contentious life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, probing the fragile balance between truth and power.
Truth begins in 1980s Melbourne with a band of teenage hackers infiltrating high-security sites like the Pentagon, Stanford, and NASA—not for personal gain, but driven by sheer curiosity.
What starts as youthful defiance swiftly transforms into a profound narrative exploring the intersection of truth, authority, and the heavy toll of whistleblowing.
Through a blend of real events and imaginative storytelling, “Truth” brings to light the stories of Assange, Chelsea Manning, and Edward Snowden—three figures who gambled their lives to reveal hidden truths.
Patricia Cornelius, celebrated for her powerful plays like Who’s Afraid of the Working Class? and Do Not Go Gentle, continues her fearless exploration of societal issues in Truth. With her unwavering commitment to social justice, Cornelius tackles the intricate themes that have defined her illustrious career.
Susie Dee (Savages, Animal, Caravan) joins Cornelius once again, marking nearly four decades of their dynamic partnership since their first collaboration in 1987’s Lilly and May.
Cornelius said: “It has been both terrifying and exhilarating to write a play that is about the fight for a better, more transparent and decent world. Truth, and how it has been denied us, truth and how many have suffered terribly for telling it, truth and how we are growing numb to it—what better material for a play?”
Truth presents Assange through portrayals by five actors, each shoeing different facets of his life: from his early days as a teenage hacker in Melbourne, through the founding of WikiLeaks, to his prolonged confinement, and the controversial sexual assault allegations against him.
Featuring Emily Havea (Wentworth), Tomas Kantor (Twelfth Night), Eva Rees (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Eva Seymour (One Room Renovations), and James O’Connell (Sunday), this production promises to be a powerful reflection on activism, truth, and the cost of defiance.
