Synopsis
24 – 26 September
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions co-production
Before the bright lights.
Before the roaring crowds.
Before the headlines finally caught up…
There were women kicking down locked doors with nothing but a football, a dream and enduring passion for the game.
STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY is a movement brought to life on stage. It’s the story of how Australia’s women refused to wait their turn, rewriting the rules of the nation’s favourite sport and sparking a revolution that transformed the AFL landscape forever.
The celebrated Australian playwright behind sell-out smash hit RBG: Of Many, One and international phenomenon Prima Facie, Suzie Miller turns her extraordinary talents to the formation of the AFLW in this world premiere.
In 2010, an official report into the state of Australian Rules Football recommended the creation of a national women’s league. Seven years and a whole lot of grit, passion and fancy footwork later, the AFLW was born. This is the untold story of how the league went from a pipe dream to a sensation the sports world could no longer ignore.
With her gift for docudrama and trademark insight and warmth, Miller teams with a brilliant lineup of eight players including Lucy Bell, Amy Ingram and Tara Morice, in a love letter to a game and a community.
It’s theatre written in mud, sweat, and belief.
Go behind the scenes with the cast of Strong is the New Pretty as they discuss bringing a new Suzie Miller work to life.
What does it mean to see the AFLW journey transformed into theatre? Players and club members share their thoughts.
Ticket prices
Preview Performance
Premium Standard
$109.00
Premium Concession^
$99.00
Premium Groups 4+ (per person)
$89.00
A Reserve Standard
$99.00
A Reserve Concession^
$89.00
A Reserve Groups 4+ (per person)
$79.00
B Standard
$89.00
All Reserves Under 30
$35.00
Friday & Saturday Evening Performances
Premium Standard
$129.00
Premium Concession^
$119.00
Premium Groups 4+ (per person)
$109.00
A Reserve Standard
$119.00
A Reserve Concession^
$109.00
A Reserve Groups 4+ (per person)
$99.00
B Reserve Standard
$89.00
All Reserves BRING YOUR TEAM Groups 10+(Call box office to book)
$69.00
All Reserves Under 30
$35.00
Saturday Matinee Performance
Premium Standard
$119.00
Premium Concession^
$109.00
Premium Groups 4+ (per person)
$99.00
A Reserve Standard
$109.00
A Reserve Concession^
$99.00
A Reserve Groups 4+ (per person)
$89.00
B Reserve Standard
$89.00
All Reserves BRING YOUR TEAM Groups 10+(Call box office to book)
$69.00
All Reserves Under 30
$35.00
School Group (1 teacher free for every 15 student tickets)Book Here
$35.00
^ Available Concessions: Pension Card Holder, Health Care Card, Full Time Student
* A transaction fee applies. This range includes Concession, Groups or Package prices which have specific requirements. The minimum price listed may be available for selected performances only.
Date & Times
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 7pm (Preview)
Friday 25 September 2026, 7pm (Opening night)
Saturday 26 September 2026, 1pm (Audio Described & Tactile Tour) & 7pm (Live Captioned)
Details
PRESENTED BY:
Canberra Theatre Centre
A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions Co-Production
Strong is the New Pretty
By Suzie Miller
Directed by Sarah Giles
Originally commissioned by Trish Wadley Productions.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
DURATION:
Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, with no interval.
TICKET DELIVERY:
Please note your tickets will only become available 72 hours before your performance, via the delivery method outlined in your order confirmation email.
ACCESS SERVICES:
Audio Described – Saturday 26 September 2026, 1pm and pre-show Tactile Tour, 11.30am
Live Captioned – Saturday 26 September 2026, 7pm | PROMO CODE: CAPTION
WARNINGS:
This performance contains coarse language & mature themes and may contain haze effects and strobe lighting.
AGE SUITABILITY:
This performance is suitable for audiences aged 10+ or with parental discretion.
VENUE:
The Playhouse
SEATING PLAN
ACCESS INFORMATION
Cast & Creatives
By Suzie Miller
Cast
Lucy Bell
Amy Hack
Amy Ingram
Edyll Ismail
Amber McMahon
Tara Morice
Nyasha Ogden
Contessa Treffone
Director Sarah Giles
Designer Christina Smith
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer Clemence Williams
Sound Designer Brady Watkins
Video Designer Craig Wilkinson
Choreographer Kelley Abbey
Assistant Director Julia Robertson
Marketing Image Holly Ward
NEED TO KNOW
TICKETING & SAFETY
Canberra Ticketing is the authorised ticket seller for this event with tickets sold and issued by QTIX as the ticketing agent. Please be aware that Canberra Ticketing has no obligation to honour tickets purchased via unauthorised re-sellers. If you attend the event with a ticket purchased via an unauthorised re-seller such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or otherwise, you may be refused entry to the event.
Find further information on ticket resale and scalping here.
CONCESSIONS
A range of concession prices are available to all of our Canberra Ticketing patrons, and the exact nature of concessions will vary from show to show. We recommend that you check the specific pricing of each show when making your purchasing decision. Where concession prices are listed, proof of eligibility for concession must be presented at the Canberra Ticketing Box Office upon collection of tickets or full price may be charged.
