Suzie Miller's 'Strong is the New Pretty' Premieres at Brisbane Festival 2026

The world premiere of Suzie Miller's new play 'Strong is the New Pretty' is running at Brisbane Festival 2026, celebrating women's football and the creation of the AFLW. Directed by Sarah Giles, the play charts the journey to establish a professional women's league in Australian Rules football, which took over a century and culminated in the inaugural AFLW match in 2017. The production features a cast of eight women, including Contessa Treffone, and tours to Canberra, Geelong, and Sydney after its Brisbane season. Miller, known for 'Prima Facie' and 'RBG: Of One, Many', uses football as a vehicle to explore broader themes of women navigating male-dominated structures and creating space for themselves. Giles, who took over directing from Lee Lewis, emphasizes the collaborative and female-led process, drawing parallels between the actors' virtuosity and the athletes' achievements. The play arrives alongside the return of 'Ted Lasso' focusing on women's soccer, highlighting a growing spotlight on women's sports.