Sydney Theatre Company and Allens Arthur Robinson present
Honour
by Joanna Murray-Smith
After thirty-two years of marriage, George and Honor have achieved it all; the successful marriage, the family, the house, the garden. They’re a golden couple and what’s more, they’re still desperately in love.
Honor - beautiful, intelligent and a promising writer in her youth - has been fulfilled by a life spent caring for her family and supporting George while he carved out a brilliant career in academia. Together the couple have weathered hard times, their lives becoming inextricably intertwined.
However, Honor is to learn of the appalling fragility of love when George, enchanted by a stunning, young journalist, abandons both his wife and his marriage.
The tale is a familiar one – it’s Nero and Poppea, Clinton and Lewinski - yet Joanna Murray-Smith’s fiercely intelligent play imbues it with freshness and insight. With extraordinary wit and great compassion, she questions the very nature of love: does it inevitably erode over time? Can it endure the terrible dichotomy between passion and perseverance?
Wendy Hughes and William Zappa make welcome returns to Sydney Theatre Company to perform the roles of Honor and George in this revival of a modern Australian classic.
1 Hour 35 Minutes, No Interval
Occasional strong language
Reviews
"This heart-rending, hard-edged and devastating play by Joanna Murray-Smith is about love, lust, loyalty, betrayal and survival... It heaves and bursts with a cruel and sensitive intelligence." - The Sunday Times
"Joanna Murray-Smith is the most exciting Australian dramatist of her generation." - New Statesman
'8/10 - a deeply intelligent examination of loss and love' - The Sun Herald
'this elegant production directed by Lee Lewis really makes (Honour) sing' - The Sydney Morning Herald
‘rich, thought-provoking drama... brought vibrantly to life by some truly excellent performances’ - Australianstage.com.au
'This magnificent production is required viewing for anyone who has ever committed adultery or is considering doing so in the future.' TimeOut
'Sophisticated and elegant with a clever script and absolutely superb performances' - Stage Whispers
'This sharp and intelligent play doesn’t miss a beat, hitting all the right notes as it challenges ones dreams, loyalty and the question of what constitutes real love.' The Blurb
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We really enjoyed this play as did the rest of the audience. The drama was so involving and the acting so outstanding that the audience was relaxing and tensing, laughing and cringing with every word - to the point where sometimes our reactions were as if we were participants in the same room as the characters. A frighteningly realistic portrayal of modern relationship dilemmas. Congratulations to all form playwright through to all in the production. - Meredith & David
absolutely brilliant. Best STC play I have seen yet. The play summary did not do it justice. Every sentace is like poetry and every moment smacks you in face, draging you to emotional places you didnt know existsed. I have advised all of my 20 something friends that this is compulsory viewing --> a beautiful and apt reality check of what love and relations are all about and differing perspectives across generations, drawing a bold line under the consequence of actions. - Candice
Wonderful play & wonderful performances. Obviously a great playwright. Its a shame we have not seen more of her work at the STC. Heres hoping that has been rectified & more of her (Australian) work can be bought to the STC stages - Mark
I thoroughly enjoyed this play last week. Great acting and so well balanced throughout the play.It's been quite a while since I last enjoyed an STC production this much.I look forward to the next play on my subscription.Thank you. - Rodney
A truly touching play with such clever use of words and humour to convey the rollercoaster of grieving that occurs at the end of a relationship. - CJ
This is a marvellous production. Wendy Hughes shone in an excellent cast. I don't know why, but I've never seen Honour before and I'm so glad I made the effort to see the STC production. Judging by the audience reactions, I think for many of us it was close to home. I was amused, challenged and saddened. It's a play I will remember and certainly recommend to my friends. - Susan
I reckognised so may bits of people I knew acted out through this production. - Noel
It has been one of the best plays that STC has ever done. The language was wonderful and the acting superb! - Mary Ann
I found Honour to be thought-provoking. It had my attention from beginning to end - a tribute to the play itself and to all of the actors. Indeed the acting was extremely high quality, making this play one of the most memorable performances I have attended at the STC. - Gilda
I thought it was simply perfect! Beautifully staged & cast and acted I very much enjoyed it thank you. I attended with 4 friends and they all agreed as to how good it all was. - Reg
Absolutely stunning performances in a play that resonates on so many levels. A fantastic night. - Karen
Loved the play & particularly seeing Wendy Hughes on stage. Thought the two young women played really well, & Willism Zappa can read the telephone book & be riveting - his more craven lines were hissed (nicely). Great stuff! Another goal in aparticularly strong season. - Penny
Very much enjoyed Honour. Goes to show a familiar story well told, acted and staged beautifully can never fail to entertain. It is also a pleasure to be part of an audience whose shared enjoyment is palpable. Well done! - Dara
Not only was the play well written but superbly directed, loved the staging of the play. Wendy Huges and William Zapa tell a touching tale of love and betrayal,brilliantly. “Does passion go from every relationship, and if so is that what’s left, love.” Made me think. - Helen
The best thing since Streetcar...Emotionally very intelligent. Rollercoaster ride of laughter and tears. Thanks so much to the cast and director. - George
Great writing, which covers the sensitive issue of infidelity without resorting to stereotypes.I wish I could remember some of the better lines! Terrific performances all round, but must single out Yael Stone for the brilliant scene where she decries her inarticulateness so inarticulately. - Benison
Outstanding performances and production for a marvellous play by one of Australia's best contemporary writers. - Virginia
