Andrew Upton - Krank Fuss

Book Launch

Be among the first to experience the extraordinary debut novel from acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and former Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Andrew Upton, in conversation with fellow visionary and former STC Artistic Director Kip Williams.

Written as a story for his unborn daughter and set on a small farm in Nazi Germany on the eve of war, Krank Fuss is a haunting modern fable about innocence, courage and the choices that define us.

When a young chicken born with a deformed foot is shunned by the flock, she finds an unlikely companion in Gibby, a toad who believes themself to be a frog. Together they venture beyond the boundaries of the farm, discovering friendship, resilience and a world where kindness exists alongside unimaginable cruelty. As the shadow of fascism closes in, Krank Fuss must confront the unsettling truth that while we cannot choose the circumstances of our lives, our choices still matter.

Evoking the allegorical power of Animal Farm and the raw imagination of Art Brut, Krank Fuss is a deeply moving exploration of prejudice, belonging and hope. At once timeless and urgently contemporary, it asks what it means to preserve wonder and humanity in an increasingly fractured world.

In this special event, Andrew Upton discusses the remarkable journey from theatre to fiction, the inspirations behind his first novel, and the enduring power of storytelling, in conversation with internationally acclaimed director Kip Williams.

About Andrew Upton
Andrew Upton is one of Australia's most celebrated writers for stage and screen. His original plays include Hanging Man and Riflemind, alongside acclaimed adaptations of classics including Hedda Gabler, The Cherry Orchard, Cyrano de Bergerac, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Seagull. As Co-Artistic Director (with Cate Blanchett) and later Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company, he led the company through a landmark period of international success, with productions touring to Broadway, London's Barbican and theatres across Europe and the United States. He also developed major adaptations for the UK's National Theatre, bringing overlooked Russian masterpieces to new audiences.

About Kip Williams
Kip Williams is a Tony-nominated, award-winning theatre and opera director, and former Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sydney Theatre Company. He conceived, wrote and directed The Picture of Dorian Gray, starring Sarah Snook, and directed Dracula, starring Cynthia Erivo. Renowned for innovative productions across theatre and opera, Williams has received multiple awards for his acclaimed stage work.

Street One | Reserved | 90 Minutes
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