Eight of the 11 actors are making their professional theatre debut, four of them straight out of drama school. Film actress Mia Wasikowska will play the traditional boy lead of Ralph alongside Jack, played by Treffone.

It is a groundbreaking role for Monks, a physically disabled actor, who is traditionally cast as "meek and vulnerable", feeding into the "disabled character trope of the Tiny Tims".

"What feels really exciting as well, is having a physically disabled body on stage ... and instead of being seen as something that we project tragedy onto, seeing it as a form of power. Also being able to use my mobility aid, the crutch, as a weapon – that's recontextualising it," Monks says.

"In a broader sense, I'm excited because for so long one type of person has been given the stage or the platform to tell all stories. This really feels like an opportunity for all types of people to tell stories in a way that reflects Australia today."

For the visually inventive piece of theatre, Williams worked by two principles: to call attention to the darkness of a story that examined the consequences of toxic masculinity and bullying, while bringing together a cast that stood for the very opposite.

Williams says the cast comes from a generation more radical in the way they think about dividing power, in an age where Golding's examination of humanity's terrifying capacity for self-destruction had resonance.

"I wanted to put together the most exciting, talented young actors in the country to retell Lord of the Flies in a dark, powerful way," Williams says. "I wanted that group of actors to reflect an inclusive group, a diverse group, and for the witnessing of that group of people coming together to be the antidote to a narrative that is about divisiveness, that's about persecution and silencing."

Wasikowska says she was drawn to her first theatre role by a production that did not call for the actors to adopt British accents or childish ways, or to hide their gender or identity.

The production has the particular support of Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and his partner Shane Lloyd, who have come on board as patrons for the first time in recognition of the production's groundbreaking intent. They join STC chair Ian Narev, and Frances Allan, both of whom are also production patrons.

"There is a beautiful double play there where everyone is themselves but is also letting go of themselves and throwing it all out there," Calder says.

Loading

"I would say I bring a particularly unique perspective on gender and the role of masculinity in the unfurling of the story, and the roots of violence which can be present in masculinity and can inform the evolution of the children."

Indigenous actor Joseph Althouse was hopeful that authentic and diverse casting would increasingly become the standard of arts and performance Australia-wide.

"For me, the Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney isn't one person, one face and one story. It's a beautiful choir of stories and that should be reflected in every kind of medium."

Lord of the Flies runs from July 23 to August 24.