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

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 sell-out premiere season at Melbourne’s FortyFiveDownstairs this is a production that is a must-see for fans of great drama.

There will be a Q&A with Jillian Murray following the performance.

★★★★★ “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

The Year of Magical Thinking is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. and Concord Theatricals Company.
This production was developed for the stage by FortyFiveDownstairs.

Byron Writers Festival are proudly supporting this powerful theatre event and we are therefore pleased to offer all BWF Members a special discounted ticket price.