About the Show

Experience The Libertine across two distinct productions as HER Productions transforms this provocative work through history and into the present day. John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, is a poet, a wit, and a notorious rake at the court of King Charles II. Armed with a lethal charm and a contempt for hypocrisy, they dedicate their life to pleasure and satire. When they meet the ambitious actress Elizabeth Barry, they find a spirit as formidable as their own, forcing them to confront the devastating cost of their own nihilism. Following their successful Romeo and Juliet: A Reimagining in 2024, HER Productions returns to the UpStage at the Playhouse program with a provocative and darkly comic work that challenges audiences with a searing duet between destruction and creation, and the quest for truth in a world of glittering decay. To unravel the timeless themes of The Libertine, we invite you to experience two distinct versions of this production. The first is a gripping, historically-set piece, where the male Rochester’s self-destruction plays out against the emerging power of women. The second is an exciting reimagining of our time, featuring a woman as Rochester, who subverts the very confines of this iconic role and asks: how does the story transform when a female body wields the same toxic, brilliant power? See both to witness a masterful play transformed across centuries. A thrilling conversation about gender, power and the roles we are still fighting to break. Which version of The Libertine will you experience - period or contemporary? Explore the schedule and choose your path. Seeing both adaptations? Save $5 on the second performance by selecting the 'Second Version Discount Offer' at Seat Selection. Running time: 2 hrs 20 mins, inc interval. Running times are approximate and subject to change without notice. This performance contains violence and sexual themes. Strictly 18+.

Location

Civic Playhouse

Dates & Times

Thursday 02 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Friday 03 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday 04 July, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Saturday 04 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Thursday 09 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Friday 10 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday 11 July, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Saturday 11 July, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Website

Visit the HER Productions website for further information - https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/what-s-on/all-shows/the-libertine