The Year of Magical Thinking

The details will be different, but it will happen to you.

Thursday 2 June | 7PM | GPAC Theatre

Described by the New York Times as ‘thrilling and engaging – universal, profound… and uplifting’ Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir is brought to life by Green Room Award-winning actor Jillian Murray in a critically-acclaimed solo performance that reunites her with director Laurence Strangio (L’amante Anglaise national tour 2019).

This highly personal account of loss through the lens of hope unpacks a surreal and overwhelming time in Didion’s life as she faces the sudden loss of her husband John, and later her daughter Quintana. Deeply moving, sometimes funny, and ultimately joyful, this is one woman’s story of the journey to find acceptance, and the lessons learnt in letting go.

After a critically-acclaimed sellout premiere season at Melbourne’s FortyFiveDownstairs this is a production that is a must-see for fans of great drama.

Written By Joan Didion

Directed By Laurence Strangio

Lighting Design Andy Turner

Sound Design Darius Kedros

Photography Jodie Hutchinson

Performed By Jillian Murray

“We felt like privileged listeners, given access to an extraordinarily insightful confrontation with the way in which grief loosens our grasp on reason” ArtsHub

“The audience is mesmerised, holding on to every word, gesture, with eyes following her movements, taking in what’s been so eloquently said” Theatre People

“Jillian Murray gives a superb performance - poised, vulnerable, intelligent, and full of the subtlest ironies” Herald Sun

“This is yet another fine – and, if you like, ‘magical’ – performance from Jillian Murray, aided and guided by Mr Strangio, who here shows that he knows very well that less is more.” Stage Whispers

“a one person show par excellence” The Blurb