Nucleus – School Show

Passionate. Polarising. Political.

Alana Valentine is an award-winning playwright whose works Cyberbile and Parramatta Girls are recognised on the Stage 6 Drama course prescriptions for 2025-2027. She is one of Australia's most respected playwrights, writers and artists. 

Join Alana for an exclusive post-show Q&A. This will be an invaluable opportunity for students to discuss Nucleus alongside Valentine's other works as part of the HSC Drama syllabus incorporating individual projects and verbatim theatre modules.

Gabriel is a nuclear engineer. Cassie is an anti-nuclear campaigner. For nearly 30 years their lives have collided and entwined, with Cassie's cause dominating public opinion across the decades. But with political change rumbling underfoot, Cassie's life's work could yet be undone – and it's all led to this explosive night.

Against the enflamed background of one of Australia's most divisive environmental issues, Alana Valentine's tender, surprising new play interrogates the intersection of personal ambition and global responsibility.

Nucleus welcomes two of Australia's theatre greats back to Griffin – one of our most celebrated and awarded playwrights Alana Valentine (Ladies Day) and the great Paula Arundell (The Bleeding Tree). Directed by Griffin's very own associate artistic director Andrea James (swim, Jailbaby), Nucleus tears through long drawn battle lines to reveal what's at our core.

Presented in partnership with Griffin Theatre Company and supported by The University Of Sydney.

Image credit: Brett Boardman