Historian's 6-year Palace Letters battle comes to Sydney stage in 2027
Historian Jenny Hocking won a legal case to release Queen Elizabeth II's secret Whitlam correspondence. Her story is now being adapted into a stage play premiering in April.
Six years ago, historian Jenny Hocking won her court case. She fought to release the Palace Letters, secret correspondence between the Queen, Malcolm Fraser, and Governor-General John Kerr.
Now her story is heading to theatre. The play, called The Palace Letters, premieres at Sydney Opera House in April 2027.
Georgie Parker will play Hocking, with Jonathan Biggins as Gough Whitlam. The artistic director compared it to an Erin Brockovich journey through the courts.
The play moves between her legal case and the events following Whitlam's dismissal. The production is one of ten major works the theatre company will stage in 2027.
Other shows include a retelling of Oedipus with Richard Roxburgh and a return season of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
- 6 years
- Legal battle duration
- Sydney Opera House
- Premiere venue
- April 2027
- Premiere month
- Georgie Parker
- Hocking's actress
Why it mattersIt brings one of Australia's most disputed political moments to a fresh medium. A new generation will see the fight to reveal the truth.
AustraliaAustralians can see Whitlam's dismissal and the Palace Letters mystery dramatised at the Sydney Opera House for the first time, exploring a pivotal moment in Australian political history.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
