In what was a truly moving theatrical experience, Queensland Theatre opened the world premiere season of Sue Smith’s Hydra at the Bille Brown Theatre on Thursday 15 March. Directed by Sam Strong, Hydra is the tragic true love story between two of Australia’s most gifted writers, Charmian Clift and her husband George Johnston (author of the Miles Franklin Award-winning novel, My Brother Jack). The couple left Australia to live a bohemian lifestyle on the idyllic Greek island of Hydra. Theirs was a dream of creative freedom; of sea and sun and olives and wine in the afternoons, drenched in sex, fine conversation and booze. Over time, this dream unraveled, culminating in the ultimate tragedy.

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