Wil and Grace

“Life isn’t magical. Not in the way I’d thought. It’s like madness. And that’s okay.” 

Vodka. Grief. Raising the dead with a Wikihow article and an egg. Grace might not know exactly what she’s doing, but she knows how to believe. Varya knows exactly  what she’s doing, even if no one believes her. Wil…is lost.  

On a dark stormy night in Petersham, Grace and Varya drunkenly conduct a séance.  They wake up the next day to find a naked man sleeping on their couch. And he says  his name is Wil. Wil Shakespeare. 

In a world where our futures seem increasingly uncertain, and life a little too  tenuous, Grace yearns to find the magic in the little things. When the reality of grief  becomes too painful, she turns to fantasy. She chooses to believe. But what are the  consequences? 

Presented by Rogue Projects, and directed by Erica Lovell, Madeleine Withington’s debut play about grief, love, and the impossible, is a fresh new comedy with a big heart - a play about believing in things, for better or worse, because sometimes, we desperately need to.

Creative team

• Written by Madeleine Withington

• Director: Erica Lovell

• Producer: Talia Meyerowitz-Katz

• Performed by: Suz Mawer, Joshua Shediak, and Madeleine Withington

• Production Design: Anna Gardiner

• Sound: Chrysoulla Markoulli

• Lighting: Jasmin Borsovszkyv

• Stage Manager: Brendon Taylor

• Marketing & Engagement: Robbi James

• Poster Photography: Parker Floris

• Rehearsal Photography: Ezekiel Rodofili from Haskelr Photography

This production was first developed as part of the Rogues on the Rocks Residencies.  The Rogues would like to acknowledge the assistance of Sydney Fringe Festival, NSW Place Management, the Arts Exchange, and The Rocks Precinct for their support of the program. Wil and Grace is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.