Howard’s Port Arthur gun reforms to take centre stage in new Brisbane play

A new play about former prime minister John Howard’s gun reforms in the aftermath of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre will premiere in La Boite Theatre’s 2027 season.

Brisbane’s 101-year-old theatre company will enlist Neil Armfield, one of Australia’s most distinguished directors, to stage the play, with revered actor Darren Gilshenan in the role of Australia’s 25th prime minister.

The announcement of La Boite’s new season follows multiple redundancies at the company last month and the resignation of artistic director Courtney Stewart in May.

A new artistic director is yet to be appointed, and the new season has been curated by a three-person guest panel chaired by former La Boite artistic director David Berthold.

Berthold said Calibre was one of the best new Australian plays he had read. It was written for La Boite by Brisbane playwright and composer Paul Hodge, whose works include shows about Bill Clinton and Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

“It tells a story that happened 30 years ago, but it’s a story that is still in our headlines,” Berthold said.

Armfield, whose work includes landmark productions of Cloudstreet and The Secret River, said Calibre tackles an extraordinary moment in Australia’s recent history.

“What’s fascinating is the collision of personalities, convictions and political pressures, and the sheer difficulty of achieving change when the stakes are so high,” Armfield said.

John Howard was only six weeks into his 11-year prime ministership when 35 people were killed by a gunman in Tasmania’s Port Arthur.

Howard subsequently spearheaded major restrictions on gun ownership, which became one of his key political legacies.

To write the play, Hodge interviewed the prime minister, former premiers, gun-control campaigners, gun-lobby representatives, and the families of victims.

The massacre was previously the subject of a 2021 movie, Nitram.

La Boite’s 2027 season consists of five shows, with two world premieres and two return seasons of proven musical successes.

In addition to Calibre, the company will premiere real estate drama Offset by Anchuli Felicia King.

Lady Beatle, a rock cabaret featuring Naomi Price (Calamity Jane), was previously a hit for La Boite when it premiered there in 2016.

Bigger and Blacker 2.0 revives the cabaret by Steven Oliver (ABC’s Black Comedy) and Michael Griffiths for NAIDOC Week.

The Weekend is an adaptation of the novel by Charlotte Wood about three women reunited at the beach house of their recently deceased friend.

La Boite announced four redundancies last month citing rising costs, changing audience behaviours and increasing pressure on traditional funding models.

It also announced the elevation of acting chief executive Ian Prowse to the role of executive director and co-chief executive in January 2027, while the company recruits its next artistic director/co-chief executive.

Prowse told this masthead he brings 30 years of senior executive experience, three of them at La Boite, to his new role.

“I understand the importance of balancing our artistic ambitions with commercial realities, supporting our people, and building a sustainable future for the company.”

Prowse said he expected the new artistic director to be appointed by the end of 2026.

Tickets for the 2027 season are on sale now.

Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.