One man’s insightful and hilarious examination of football, tribalism, belonging and identity.

About

David Williams – acclaimed documentary theatre maker, writer and football fanatic – is the ‘Smurf’. For the uninitiated, ‘Smurf’ is the nickname given to a Sydney Football Club fan.

During the 2013-14 A League football season, Williams, a long-suffering Sydney FC fan, frequented Western Sydney Wanderers’ games on their home turf in Parramatta. Kitted out in his Sydney FC sky-blue jersey, Williams-the-Smurf stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the sea of red and black. His presence caused bewilderment and banter, but none of the hooliganism that’s come to be associated with the game – he didn’t need to fear for his life.

Smurf in Wanderland is one man’s insightful and hilarious examination of football, tribalism, belonging and identity. It’s also a passionate defence of the fan – exploring what it means to be a fan, the demonisation of fans and the artificial wedge that has been created between Sydney and its western suburbs.

Cast & Creatives

Directed by Lee Lewis
Set and Costume Designer Charles Davis
Lighting Designer Luiz Pampolha
Sound Designer and Composer James Brown
Dramaturg Kate Worsley
With David Williams

Presented by
Griffin Theatre Company in association with National Theatre of Parramatta

Performance Times

Preview 2 May
Season 4 May – 13 May

Performance Times
Monday – Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm

Blog Posts

Smurf in Wanderland review

04.05.17

“For Smurf is not just about football; it is about la condition humaine – where we all have our failures and humiliations, as well as our moments of triumph and joy.” Maggie Mason from Arts & Tarts saw Smurf in Wanderland at Riverside...

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