Tommy Murphy (born 1979) is an Australian playwright,

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

, adaptor and director . He is best known for his

stage Stage or stages may refer to: Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper * Sta ...

and

screen adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dial ...

of Timothy Conigrave's memoir ''

Holding the Man ''Holding the Man'' is a 1995 memoir by Australian writer, actor, and activist Timothy Conigrave. It tells of his 15-year love affair with John Caleo, which started when they met in the mid-1970s at Xavier College, an all-boys Jesuit Catholi ...

''. His most recent plays are '' Mark Colvin's Kidney'' and '' Packer & Sons''.

Early life

Murphy was born in

Queanbeyan Queanbeyan ( ) is a city in the south-eastern region of New South Wales, Australia, located adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory in the Southern Tablelands region. Located on the Queanbeyan River, the city is the council seat of the ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Australia, the seventh of eight children in a Catholic family. Murphy attended

St Edmund's College, Canberra , motto_translation = Christ is My Light , patron = Edmund Ignatius Rice , city = Canberra , state = Australian Capital Territory , country = Australia , coo ...

. He is a graduate of the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's si ...

(BA 2004) and of the

National Institute of Dramatic Art The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is an Australian educational institution for the performing arts is based in Sydney, New South Wales. Founded in 1958, many of Australia's leading actors and directors trained at NIDA, including Cat ...

(Director's course).

Career

He was a resident writer at

Griffin Theatre Company Griffin Theatre Company is an Australian theatre specialising in new works, based in Sydney. Founded in 1979, it is the resident theatre company at the SBW Stables Theatre in Kings Cross. the artistic director is Declan Green. Artistic direct ...

2004–06, for which he wrote '' Strangers in Between'' and ''

''. Both plays are published by

Currency Press Currency Press is a leading performing arts publisher and its oldest independent publisher still active. Their list includes plays and screenplays, professional handbooks, biographies, cultural histories, critical studies and reference works. H ...

, in one volume. ''Strangers in Between'' won the national 2006 NSW Premier's Literary Award for Best Play, and ''Holding the Man'' won the same Award in 2007. Murphy is the youngest recipient of the award, and the only playwright to win in successive years. ''Holding the Man'' had an encore season at Griffin before transferring to Sydney Opera House, Belvoir, Melbourne Theatre Company and Brisbane's Powerhouse. It played London's West End from 23 April to 3 July 2010.

Guy Edmonds Guy Edmonds is an Australian born director, writer, actor and author. He co-created, wrote, acted in and directed the Emmy award-winning comedy series Hardball. He co-authored the hit book series Zombie Diaries and Zoo Crew. As an actor he is be ...

and

Matt Zeremes Matt Zeremes (aka ''Matthew Zeremes'') is an Australian creator, actor, writer, director known for his television, theatre and film work. He was the co-creator and co-writer of the International Emmy Award-winning kids comedy TV Series Hardball fo ...

were joined by new cast members

Jane Turner Jane Turner (born 1 December 1960) is an Australian actress, comedian and Logie Award-winning comedy series creator and screnwriter. Career Turner, although best known as a comedy performer, made her acting debut in the internationally ren ...

and

Simon Burke Simon Gareth Burke (born 8 October 1961) is an Australian actor, active in films, television and theatre. Biography Simon Burke began his career at the age of 12, starring in Michael Cove's ''Kookaburra''; a painful look at a dysfunctional wo ...

David Berthold David Berthold is one of Australia's most prominent theatre directors and cultural leaders. He has directed for most of Australia's major theatre companies, as well as in London and Berlin, and has led several key arts organisations. He was Artis ...

directed and Brian Thomson designed. The

Trafalgar Studios Trafalgar Theatre is a new West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London. It is set to open in spring 2021 following a major multi-million Pound sterling, pound restoration project aiming to reinstate ...

season was produced by Daniel Sparrow and Mike Walsh. The play has been produced every year since its premiere with new productions in San Francisco, Auckland, Adelaide and encore productions in Brisbane and Sydney. In 2014 the play was also mounted in Los Angeles by The Australian Theatre Company with Larry Moss directing; Nate Jones,

Adam J. Yeend Adam J. Yeend is an Australian actor/producer best known for his roles in ''Offing David'', ''Liz & Dick'' and ''Holding the Man (play), Holding the Man'', and producer of the 2014 feature film ''Lust for Love (2014 film), Lust for Love'' as ...

Cameron Daddo Cameron Peter Daddo (born 7 March 1965) is an Australian actor, musician and presenter. From 1987 to 1988, he hosted dating game show '' Perfect Match Australia''. He won two Logie Awards for his performances in '' Golden Fiddles'' and ''Track ...

, and

Roxanne Wilson Roxanne Tessa Lisa Wilson (born March 17, 1979) started her career as an appellate attorney in Austin, Texas. She is currently a public speaker and Jazzercise franchisee. She was television host for The Liquidation Channel and a contestant on th ...

were cast for the production. ''

Saturn's Return ''Saturn's Return'' is an Australian play by Tommy Murphy, first performed in 2008 in Sydney. Synopsis Zara, the heroine of the play, is happily settled in a relationship with her partner, Matt. Marriage, mortgages and midwives lie on the hor ...

'' was commissioned by

Sydney Theatre Company Sydney Theatre Company (STC) is an Australian theatre company based in Sydney, New South Wales. The company performs in The Wharf Theatre at Dawes Point in The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Roslyn Packer Theatre (formerly Sydney Thea ...

co-artistic directors

Andrew Upton Andrew Upton (born 1 February 1966) is an Australian playwright, screenwriter and director. He has adapted the works of Gorky, Chekhov, Ibsen and others for London's Royal National Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company. He wrote the original p ...

and

Cate Blanchett Catherine Elise Blanchett (; born 14 May 1969) is an Australian actor. Regarded as one of the finest performers of her generation, she is known for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters, and the stage. She has received nu ...

for STC's Wharf 2 season 2008. In 2009 it transferred to the STC main stage. ''Saturn's Return'' is published by

. Murphy's award-winning play, ''Gwen in Purgatory'', was co-produced by Belvoir and

La Boite Theatre La Boite Theatre is an Australian theatre company based in Brisbane, Queensland. La Boite was established in 1925 and is Australia’s longest continuously running theatre company. Playing a vital role in the cultural landscape, La Boite Theat ...

and directed by

Neil Armfield Neil Geoffrey Armfield (born 22 April 1955) is an Australian director of theatre, film and opera. Biography Born in Sydney, Armfield is the third and youngest son of Len, a factory worker at the nearby Arnott's Biscuits factory and Nita Armf ...

in 2010. The cast for this premiere production were

Nathaniel Dean Nathaniel Dean is an Australian actor and voiceover artist. His most recent performances include Sergeant Hallett in Ridley Scott's '' Alien: Covenant'', as well as colonial Australian settler William Thornhill in ''The Secret River'' for the ...

Grant Dodwell Grant Radnor Dodwell (born 2 July 1952, in Sydney) is an Australian actor, producer, writer, director, voice artist, and drama teacher. He is a triple recipient of the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor. He is best known for his roles in telev ...

, Sue Ingleton,

Melissa Jaffer Melissa Jaffer (born 1 December 1936) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her stage and television roles, but has also appeared in many films. Career Jaffer started her career in theatre productions in the mid 1950s has made many a ...

and

Pacharo Mzembe Pacharo Mzembe is an Australian actor. He has performed on stage, in several television series and in feature films. Early life Mzembe's parents originate from Malawi, but he was born in Zimbabwe. He migrated to Australia at the age of six t ...

. This play is also published by

. He was writer-in-residence at Belvoir 2011–2012. His adaptation of ''Blood Wedding'' was commissioned for the London 2012 Olympiad and his reworking of ''Peter Pan'' for Belvoir transferred to New York in 2013. After the multi-production international success of the stage play of ''Holding the Man'', Murphy initiated the screen project. He partnered with executive producer Cameron Huang, producer Kylie Du Fresne of

Goalpost Pictures Goalpost Pictures is an Australian film production company founded and run by Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant, Kylie du Fresne, and Cass O’Connor. History The 2007 suburban comedy '' Clubland'', directed by Cherie Nowlan, debuted at the 2009 Sun ...

, producers of '' The Sapphires'' and director

to see the film to fruition in 2015. It opened to strong domestic box office in Australia and is released globally via

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...

after an international cinema release. Murphy wrote the screenplay and worked as associate producer for the film. Murphy's screen credits include teleplays for ''

Offspring In biology, offspring are the young creation of living organisms, produced either by a single organism or, in the case of sexual reproduction, two organisms. Collective offspring may be known as a brood or progeny in a more general way. This ca ...

'', ''

Spirited ''Spirited'' is an Australian television Supernatural fiction, supernatural comedy-drama series made for subscription television channel W that aired for two seasons, 2010 and 2011. The series stars Claudia Karvan as dentist Suzy Darling, wh ...

'', and Matchbox's 2014 Foxtel mini-series '' Devil's Playground''. Murphy is the recipient of a

Centenary Medal The Centenary Medal is an award which was created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the centenary of the Federation of Australia and to recognise "people who made a contribution to Australian society or go ...

and the British Council Realise Your Dream Award. In 2007, he had the title of honorary associate conferred by the Faculty of Education & Social Work, University of Sydney. He also sat on the board of directors of the

Australian Theatre for Young People Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is a not-for-profit national youth theatre company located in Woolloomooloo, New South Wales, Australia. It was founded in 1964 by Eleanor Witcombe. History The first committee was formed in 1964 and co ...

2005–2010. Murphy was commissioned to write a play for

Black Swan State Theatre Company Black Swan State Theatre Company (formerly The Black Swan Theatre Company) is Western Australia's state theatre company. It runs an annual subscription season in Perth at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, tours its productions reg ...

as recipient (joint) of the Richard Burton Award 2012, which carried $15,000 prizemoney . He is also currently writing for Belvoir Theatre as well as developing a number of screen projects. Murphy is the 2016

University of Queensland , mottoeng = By means of knowledge and hard work , established = , endowment = A$224.3 million , budget = A$2.1 billion , type = Public research university , chancellor = Peter Varghese , vice_chancellor = Deborah Terry , city = B ...

Drama Creative Fellow. The Sydney Theatre Company has awarded Murphy the 2015 Patrick White Fellowship, worth $25.000. The gives the playwright a commission and 12 months work at the company. Each year the fellowship is awarded to an established playwright and Murphy said of the fellowship that it, "offers a sense of belonging to a pursuit that is often solitary." In 2021

ABC Television ABC Television most commonly refers to: *ABC Television Network of the American Broadcasting Company, United States, or *ABC Television (Australian TV network), a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia ABC Television or ABC ...

commissioned Murphy to write a psychological drama series called '' Significant Others'' . The series, which was directed by

Tony Krawitz Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leag ...

, went to air from 16 October 2022. Murphy won best For Audio – Fiction, for his radio play Call You Back as part of the Untrue Romance series at the

AWGIE Awards The AWGIE Awards is an annual awards ceremony conducted by the Australian Writers' Guild, for excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. The awards began in 1967. The awards are judged by over 50 writers, most of whom are previou ...

2022.

Plays

Plays as listed on AusStage Playwright * ''Operation Marlowe'', Newtown Theatre, Newtown, NSW, 9 March 2001 * ''Kinderspiel - Out of Bounds'', The Studio (Sydney Opera House), Sydney, NSW, 5 January 2002 * ''Two-Up!'', Bowlers' Club of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 7 January 2002 * ''Bendy'', ATYP Studio 1, The Wharf, Walsh Bay, NSW, 5 July 2002; Performance Space, Wollongong, NSW, 11 September 2002 * ''360 Positions In A One Night Stand'', Arts House Meat Market, North Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 2002; The Store Room, North Fitzroy, VIC, 29 July 2003; Annexe Theatre, Launceston, TAS, 2004; The Ausdance Studio, Adelaide, SA, 9 March 2004 * ''Kings X Stories'', Stables Theatre, Darlinghurst, NSW, 9 October 2003 * '' Troy's House'', Carlton Courthouse, Carlton, VIC, 1 February 2005 (and Director); ATYP Studio 1, The Wharf, Walsh Bay, NSW, 11 October 1999 * ''Holding the Man'', Stables Theatre, Darlinghurst, NSW, 3 November 2006; StablesTheatre, Darlinghurst, NSW, 8 February 2007; Playhouse (Sydney Opera House), Sydney, NSW, 9 May 2007; Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 22 September 2007; Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm, QLD, 5 March 2008; Merlyn Theatre, Southbank, VIC, 14 March 2008; Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide, SA, 21 October 2011; Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 16 February 2013 * '' Strangers in Between'', The Q, Queanbeyan, NSW, 6 May 2008; Glen Street Theatre, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 13 May 2008; Stables Theatre, Darlinghurst, NSW, 11 February 2005 * ''

'', Wharf 2 Theatre, Walsh Bay, NSW, 15 August 2008; Wharf 1, Sydney, NSW, 24 July 2009 * ''Rough Draft #3'', Wharf 2 Theatre, Walsh Bay, NSW, 5 September 2009 * ''Gwen In Purgatory'', Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 31 July 2010; Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 29 September 2010 * '' Mark Colvin's Kidney'', Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 25 February 2017 * ''Packer & Sons'', Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 20 November 2019 Adaptor * ''The Massacre of Paris,'' TYP Studio 1, The Wharf, Walsh Bay, NSW, 2001 * ''Blood Wedding'', Cultural Olympiad's London May 2012 Festival * ''Peter Pan'', Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 5 January 2013 Director * ''The Crucible'', The Cellar, Camperdown, NSW, 28 March 2001 * ''NIDA Directors' Plays 2004 Program A'', NIDA Studio, Kensington, NSW, 1 December 2004 * ''Speedy Mustard'', Stables Theatre, Darlinghurst, NSW, 25 April 2006 * ''Three Little Fears'', Old Fitzroy Hotel Theatre, Woolloomooloo, NSW, 9 July 2006 * ''Double Exposure,'' Belvoir Street Downstairs Theatre, Surry Hills, NSW, 5 January 2010 Assistant Director * ''Stuff Happens'', York Theatre, Chippendale, NSW, 21 July 2005; Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 24 August 2005

Films/TV

Writer * ''

'', 2011 TV series, writer 1 episode * ''

'', 2012 TV series, writer 1 episode * '' Devil's Playground'', 2014 TV miniseries, writer 2 episodes * ''Holding the Man'', 2015 film, screenplay * ''

Fighting Season ''Fighting Season'' is a 2018 Australian television drama series that screened on Foxtel's Showcase channel. The series is a mystery drama involving Australian soldiers returning on leave from deployment in Afghanistan. The six-part series is wr ...

'', 2017 TV miniseries, writer 1 episode * '' Significant Others'', 2022 TV series, all 6 episodes Producer * ''Holding the Man'', 2015 film, associate producer

Awards

* Winner,

Young Playwright's Award – ''For God, Queen & Country''. * Winner, ACT Young Playwright's Award – '' For God, Queen and Country'' * Nomination, Best New Australian Work, 2005 Sydney Theatre Awards – ''Strangers in Between'' * Winner, 2006

New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards The New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, also known as the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, were first awarded in 1979. They are among the richest literary awards in Australia. Notable prizes include the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, th ...

, Best Play – ''Strangers in Between'' * Nomination, Best New Australian Work, 2006 Sydney Theatre Awards – ''Holding the Man'' * * Nomination, 2006

Australian Writers' Guild The Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) is the professional association for Australian performance writers for film, television, radio, theatre, video and new media. The AWG was established in 1962. The AWG is a member of the Australian Council of ...

Award (AWGIE) for Best Play – ''Strangers in Between'' * Winner, 2007

, Best Play – ''Holding the Man'' * Winner, 2007

Award (AWGIE), Best Play – ''Holding the Man'' * Winner, 2007 Aussietheatre.com Online Awards, Best New Play, ''Holding the Man'' * Winner, 2007

Philip Parsons Young Playwrights Award The NSW Philip Parsons Fellowship for Emerging Playwrights, formerly the Philip Parsons Young Playwrights Award, is an Australian annual award for early-career playwrights in New South Wales, offered by Belvoir St Theatre and Arts NSW from 199 ...

* Nomination, 2007

Helpmann Award The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001. The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of musical th ...

for Best Play – ''Holding the Man'' * Nomination, Best Play, 2007

Queensland Premier's Literary Awards The Queensland Premier's Literary Awards were an Australian suite of literary awards inaugurated in 1999 and disestablished in 2012. It was one of the most generous suites of literary awards within Australia, with $225,000 in prize money across ...

– ''Holding the Man'' * Winner

British Council The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language (and the Welsh lan ...

Realise Your Dream Award * Winner 2010 WA Premier's Literary Awards, Best Play – ''Gwen in Purgatory'' * Winner 2012 Richard Burton Award – ''Gwen in Purgatory'' * Winner 2015 The Patrick White Playwrights’ Fellowship *Shortlisted 2021 Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting, NSW Premier's Literary Awards

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Tommy 1979 births Living people People from Queanbeyan Writers from the Australian Capital Territory University of Sydney alumni National Institute of Dramatic Art alumni Recipients of the Centenary Medal LGBT dramatists and playwrights Australian gay writers Australian male dramatists and playwrights 21st-century Australian dramatists and playwrights