THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
Directed by Declan Greene
📍 Downstairs Theatre, @belvoirst
21 February - 29 March 2026
A landmark work of Australian theatre returns to the stage where it first sprang to inglorious life. steve j. spears ’s THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN scandalised and mesmerised in equal measure when it premiered in 1976— touring across the world and collecting awards everywhere it ventured. Now, on its 50th anniversary, Simon Burke takes on the towering role that Gordon Chater made infamous.
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#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #Griffin2026
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Creative Direction: @susu_studio
Photographer: @daniel.boud
Cinematography: @allthingsallcreatures
Animation: @adamtiding
Join Baz Luhrmann and Simon Burke as they take a trip down memory lane, sharing anecdotes, memories, and insights into the legacy of MOULIN ROUGE! and the portrayal of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
#MoulinRougeTheMusical #GlobalCreatures
if I could tell my 13 year old self that in 50 years time he’d be back onstage with the old bastard he’ll become in the building where it all began for him.
It’s impossible to put into words what the experience of collaborating with Declan on #gtcelocutionofbenjaminfranklin meant for me. A one person show is anything but lonely when you have the most wonderful people imaginable working with you, only some of them pictured here, but all of them pure gold. Thank you to every single person at @griffintheatre and especially to my wingman @bellabellsbell #ohboy ❤️
*and thank you @belvoirst bar staff 😀
Your wish has come true 🎉
Due to popular demand, we have added a new performance of THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears! Tickets are now available for the new show taking place at 1.30pm on Thursday 19 March.
This ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ performance has been the talk of the town.
We recommend you get in quick—tickets for the new show are likely to disappear!
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
📍 Downstairs Theatre, @belvoirst
Until 29 March 2026
Book now | Link in Bio
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #griffin2026
📸 Brett Boardman
ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED! 💋
It was only a matter of time—the 50th anniversary production of THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears is officially sold out.
With Simon Burke's stellar solo performance receiving rave critical and audience reviews, THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is easily one of the hottest tickets in town.
If you missed out, don't worry—you can join the waitlist by contacting [email protected] 📧 Alternatively, your best chance at snagging a ticket is to try your luck at Rush Tickets, which are released for Tuesday performances at 12 noon.
RUSH TICKETS
On Sale 12pm, Tuesday | Link in bio
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #Griffin2026
📸 @brettboardmanphotography
At our final preview 2 weeks ago this beautiful photograph from the original production of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin was so kindly sent backstage to me by my dear lovely friend @poitebridges who had looked after it for the last 25 years. It’s so wonderful that this picture is now sitting backstage in the theatre where this play premiered 50 years ago and that I get a chance to say hi each night and pay homage to the great Gordon Chater 🙏 @griffintheatre@belvoirst #gtcelocutionofbenjaminfranklin #Griffin2026
★★★★★—@guardian
★★★★★—@stagedoorpod
★★★★ 1/2—@limelightartsau
★★★★—@sydneymorningherald
★★★★—Suzy Goes See (@suzywrong )
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears must close 29 March—book now!
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
📍 Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Until 29 March
Book now | Link in bio
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #Griffin2026
★★★★★ — The Guardian
★★★★ — Suzy Goes See
"The final act features some very fine dramatic work from Burke, as O’Brien fights to save his mind so he can also save his soul. It’s gripping; having lured the audience with tight, campy comedy, the emotional gut punch endures."—The Guardian
The reviews are in—Simon Burke is a tour-de-force in THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears!
50 years on from its debut, this searing play is still relevant as ever. Don't miss Simon in this career-defining performance.
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
📍 Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Until 29 March
Book now | https://bit.ly/GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #Griffin2026
📸 Brett Boardman
#Repost @griffintheatre with @use.repost
・・・
Hear what people are saying about THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears, 50 years on!
Catch it at the Belvoir St Theatre until 29 March. Don’t miss out!
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
📍 Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Until 29 March
Book now | Link in Bio
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #Griffin2026
A huge chookas to the cast and creative team of THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by steve j. spears, which opens tonight!
This play is a landmark work of Australian theatre and we’re thrilled to be presenting it in the Downstairs Theatre, Belvoir—50 years after it first premiered on that very stage.
Next week is almost sold out—act quickly if you still need to book a ticket!
THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By steve j. spears
📍 Downstairs Theatre, @belvoirst
21 February - 29 March 2026
Book now | Link in Bio
#GTCElocutionofBenjaminFranklin #griffin2026
📸 Brett Boardman
