THEATRE: The First Night (Of the One Day of the Year) - Ad Astra Theatre

Title: The First Night (of The One Day of the Year)

Presented By: Ad Astra Theatre Company

Genre: Satirical Comedy / Farce

Synopsis: Adelaide, 1960. Alan Seymour's controversial play The One Day of the Year is preparing for its world premiere when the Adelaide Festival cancels the production over fears it will offend returned servicemen. Determined to bring the play to the stage, an amateur theatre company takes matters into its own hands. But opening night quickly descends into chaos, with cast romances, bomb threats, censorship, missing actors, ASIO spies and bureaucratic interference threatening to derail the performance. Inspired by true events, Stephen Vagg's hilarious new comedy celebrates Australian storytelling and the determination to ensure the show goes on!

Written By: Stephen Vagg

Performance Dates: 5–21 November 2026

• Thursdays – 7:30pm

• Fridays – 7:30pm

• Saturdays – 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Performance Location and Address: Pluto Theatre, Ad Astra, Lower Level, 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000

Ticket Costs: $35 - $55

Ticket Link: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1617288

Warnings: Mild sexual references, mentions of suicide and stylised violence.

Cast:

• Janaki Gerard – Coral

• Jack Winrow – Ogie

• James Dyke – Tony

• Bronwyn Nayler – Joan

• Gregory J. Wilken – Multiple roles, including ABC Newsreader, Elliot, Neil, Grenville and Rex

Creative Team:

• Stephen Vagg – Playwright

• Nathaniel Currie – Director

• Kat Coomber - Lighting Designer

• Lucy Ingham-Myers – Production Assistant

Production Website: https://www.adastracreativity.com/productions/the-first-night