The Social Ladder

Ensemble Theatre is thrilled to present legendary Australian playwright David Williamson’s brand-new social satire, The Social Ladder, a cutting dissection of the fragile performance of status and the outrageous lengths we’ll go to just to be seen, from 23 January to 14 March.

Katie doesn’t want a taste of the high life — she wants a seat at the table. When she invites elite Sydney power couple and art collecting heavyweights Charles and Catherine Mallory over for dinner, Katie’s all in. She’s betting big on charm, fine wine and a jaw-dropping painting she’s hired to add a stroke of “wow” to the walls. She’s got one chance to climb the social ladder, and she’s not about to waste it.

As drinks flow and polite facades start to crack, the evening unravels into a night of lies, cover ups and social desperation.

The Social Ladder is the latest play in Williamson’s vast catalogue of extraordinary works and follows a sell-out season of Williamson’s Aria and a critically acclaimed restaging of his timeless classic Emerald City at Ensemble in 2025.

Featuring Williamson’s signature satirical bite, sink your teeth into this hilarious new work by one of Australia’s greatest storytellers.