Entertainment
7 March, 2025
Show’s walking tragedy
THE day has come for the bold and youthful production of O, Ophelia to take the stage at its premiere tonight as it brings with it a talented cast, a thought-provoking story and a powerful message to Cairns audiences.
Tonight will also be the last opening night for JUTE Theatre Company’s artistic director and co-founder Suellen Maunder after 32 years of leadership and theatre.
Four years of hard work for the Cairns-based playwright and director Amber Grossman from Overall Arts comes to fruition tonight as O, Ophelia is finally premiering and, on a momentous day like the eve of International Women’s Day it coincides with its subject matter: coercive relationships through the lens of a young woman – Ophelia – played by Charlotte Davies.
The season for O, Ophelia starts at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre today at 6pm and will conclude on Saturday, March 15 with a 7.30pm show before embarking on a regional tour.
“It’s a dream manifested, quite frankly, it’s the most exciting process that I’ve been a part of,” said director Amber Grossman.
“I’ve been working on O, Ophelia for the past four years as a playwright, refining the script, refining the story, the narrative, the characters and also training as a director, so it’s been years in the making and every moment that passes by is one I’ve been dreaming about.
“I wrote this story because I recognised a pattern in society – not removed from myself – of coercive behaviour and I’m not somebody who can sit quietly. I’m somebody who wants to make a difference and I feel that theatre is one of the most powerful mediums for us to be able to start a conversation.
“And while the show does have some darker elements and some important, vulnerable moments, we also are approaching everything with quite a youthful lens, so that it’s relevant to the context of today’s young people and also has playful elements and the fun as well as the visually spectacular that will help to metabolise the message.”
Ms Maunder, JUTE Theatre’s long-standing artistic director, said it was a privilege to close this chapter with inspiring young woman like Ms Grossman and her production.
“My role in this production is to support Amber Grossman in her directorial role, because it’s the first time she’s done a main stage production and it’s been an incredible process,” she said.
“Yes, this will be my last opening night, but to have been involved in a show where I’m supporting someone else’s vision has been a really delightful way to end my tenure at JUTE because I’ve been able to pass on the knowledge that I’ve gained over 30 odd years to the next generation.
“Our first show opened on March 7, back in 1993 and this is opening on March 7, the day before International Women’s Day and what a privilege to pass this on to another woman in theatre.”
To buy tickets, visit
