Original Australian production
Away was first performed by the Griffin Theatre Company on 7 January 1986 at the Stables Theatre, Sydney. The production was directed by Peter Kingston, designed by Robert Kemp with lighting design by Liz Allen. The cast included Christian Hodge, Angela Toohey, Benjamin Franklin, Geoff Morrell, Julie Godfrey, David Lynch, Andrea Moor, and Vanessa Downing.
2005 National tour
In 2005, a national Australian tour commemorated the play's 20th anniversary. It was a co-production with Queensland Theatre Company and Griffin Theatre Company. Then Artistic Director of the Queensland Theatre Company, Michael Gow also directed the production which later embarked on a sold out national tour. Completing the creative team included Brett Collery as composer and sound designer, Robert Kemp as production designer, and Damien Cooper as lighting designer. The cast included Leon Cain, Sue Dwyer, Barbara Lowing, Joss McWilliam, Daniel Murphy, Francesca Savige, Richard Sydenham and Georgina Symes.
2017 Malthouse and Sydney Theatre Company production
A new adaptation of the play was staged in 2017, co-commissioned by Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre. This production was recorded for film by Australian National Theatre Live, and was broadcast on digital streaming platforms during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The cast included Liam Nunan, Naomi Rukavina, Glenn Hazeldine, Wadih Dona, Julia Davis, Marco Chiappi, Heather Mitchell, and Natasha Herbert.[1]
The production, directed by Malthouse Artistic Director Matthew Lutton received generally positive feedback. Cameron Woodhead of The Age awarded the play four and a half stars, stated the production was "magnificent on every level", praising acting, design and direction,[2] with sentiments being echoed by Daily Review's Ben Neutze, who commended the production as "inventive, tightly-wound, warm, passionate, and compassionate rendering.[3]
In less favourable reviews, the production was criticised as "flat" and "disconnected from the classic" in ArtsHub,[4] and Limelight Magazine commenting that "some of that magic is missing and the tears stay away" although praising the production on "still resonat[ing] on many levels".[5] The Australian Book Review delivered a two star review, with reviewer Ian Dickson critical of Lutton's direction and "incoherent muddle that was presenting itself on the Drama Theatre stage with bewilderment".[6] Nevertheless, the production enjoyed immense popularity in both Melbourne and Sydney during its engagements.
Under Lutton's direction, creatives on this production included set and costume design by Dale Ferguson, lighting design by Paul Jackson, sound design by J. David Franzke and choreography by Stephanie Lake.
