STC's Five-Star Hit 'An Iliad' with David Wenham to Tour Melbourne in 2027

Sydney Theatre Company's acclaimed production of 'An Iliad', starring Australian actor David Wenham, will tour to Melbourne's Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse from 18 March to 11 April 2027. The solo performance, adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare from Homer's epic, has received five-star reviews and sold-out seasons in Sydney. Wenham plays The Poet, a world-weary storyteller condemned to recount the Trojan War across the ages, accompanied live by musician Helen Svoboda. The 100-minute, interval-free production has been hailed as a 'masterclass in storytelling' by The Sydney Morning Herald and a 'stupendous tour de force' by The Australian. The Melbourne transfer follows STC's recent return to an annual surplus of $786,418 in 2025, reversing deficits from previous years, despite ongoing financial challenges in the Australian theatre sector. The production is part of STC's 2026 season, the first led by Artistic Director Mitchell Butel, which includes 13 productions. The tour highlights STC's strategy to extend the life of successful productions nationally. The production offers a contemporary meditation on war and humanity's cycles of violence, resonating with current events. Wenham, known for his roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and 'Van Helsing', returns to the stage in this intimate performance. The Melbourne season is anticipated to draw audiences eager to see Wenham's critically acclaimed performance.