









Letters to sons that shape the men they can become.
In the referendum’s aftermath, twelve Indigenous men were asked to write a letter to their son – or father – about themselves, their mob, their story, their hopes for the future, and the things they’ve never said before. From Thomas Mayo’s seemingly simple idea came Dear Son, a collection of messages to the future and the past that celebrate Indigenous fatherhood, and might even light a way to come together.
"This tender and truthful piece of theatre is a small model for a greater possibility: a rightful place in this country for the strength and vulnerability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Presented with Sydney Festival, for a limited season in summer, I can’t think of a better way to start the year than the thoughtfulness and emotional integrity of Dear Son." – Eamon
1hr 15min. No Interval.
8th January, 2026
25th January, 2026
GETTING TO THE VENUE
BY TRAIN: The theatre is a five-minute walk from the Devonshire St/Chalmers St exit of Central Station.
BY LIGHT RAIL: The theatre is also a five-minute walk from Surry Hills Light Rail Stop and approximately seven-minute uphill walk from Chalmers Street Light Rail Stop.
BY BUS: Buses travel along Chalmers St, Elizabeth St and Cleveland St.
BY CAR: There is no onsite parking, but limited timed parking is available on the streets around the theatre. On Sundays parking is unlimited.
★★★★½ "Beautifully crafted" - ArtsHub
★★★★ "Powerful in its complexity and unabashed vulnerability" - Limelight
"Being open, talking up, yarning… this is about dispelling the stereotype around what masculinity is for First Nations men.” – Tara June Winch
"Theatre that sings with both ancestral reverence and contemporary urgency" - Stage Whispers
"A brilliant piece of storytelling, delivered with warmth, humility, and infectious humour" - Brisbane Stage
"Emotionally affecting" - The Scoop
Author: Thomas Mayo
Director / Co-Adaptor: Isaac Drandic
Co-Adaptor: John Harvey
Produced by: Queensland Theatre Company & State Theatre Company South Australia
Co-presented with: Sydney Festival
Set Designer: Kevin O’Brien
Costume Designer: Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Lighting Designer: David Walters
Video Designer: Craig Wilkinson
Composer and Sound Designer: Wil Hughes
Choreographer and Movement Director: Waangenga Blanco
Associate Lighting Designer: Eben Love
Associate Composer and Sound Designer: Patrick Mau
Assistant Director: Tibian Wyles
Assistant Construction and Set Designer: Liam Maza
Vocal Coach: Marcus Oborn
Cast includes: Jimi Bani, Waangenga Blanco, Luke Carroll, Kirk Page and Tibian Wyles
Dear Son runs for 1hr 15min. No Interval.
Dear Son is at Sydney's Upstairs Theatre | Belvoir St Theatre, which is located at 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2010.
Dear Son tickets start at $63.
Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on Dear Son tickets on TodayTix.