Newcastle’s Stray Dogs Theatre Company is celebrating three decades of original Australian theatre with the world premiere of The Whisper, a comedy thriller opening at the Civic Playhouse as part of the UpStage at the Playhouse season.
Founded in 1995 by playwright Carl Caulfield and director Felicity Biggins, Stray Dogs Theatre Company has become a key part of Newcastle’s cultural landscape, creating and staging new Australian works for audiences locally and nationally.
The Whisper marks the company’s 13th original production presented at the Civic Playhouse.
The production continues a long-running relationship between Stray Dogs and the venue, which has hosted some of the company’s most significant moments over the past 30 years.
The Civic Playhouse was the launchpad for productions including Being Sellers, which went on to feature at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Seems Like Old Times, which officially opened the refurbished theatre in 2005.
Set in suburban Sydney, The Whisper follows a stranger who answers an advertisement to become a lodger at the home of the Ellin family.
The twist? He shares the same name and an uncanny resemblance to their deceased son, brother and grandson Cameron – setting the scene for a story where comedy, suspense and tragedy collide.
The world premiere production brings Stray Dogs back to the revitalised Civic Playhouse more than two decades after its previous opening-night milestone, continuing the company’s contribution to Newcastle’s professional theatre scene.
The work reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to creating original Australian stories and bringing fresh productions to local audiences.
The Whisper runs from Thursday, 6 August to Saturday, 15 August 2026 at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle. Tickets are available via civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.
