IF YOU’RE A GOOD BLOKE, YOU’LL BE ALL RIGHT. RIGHT?
G’day. Welcome to the Yabba. Just passing through?
It’s the best little town in the world. Things a bit grim? Chin up.
John Grant is well-read, but an outback misadventure strands him—cashless and jobless—in a harsh and remote Aussie outpost, Bundanyabba.
So, he makes new ‘mates’: they’re quick with a drink, but with every scull a dark violence lurches forward. Are these blokes fair dinkum, or is there something more sinister at the heart of this little Aussie town?
On our Beckett Theatre stage, the entire world of Wake in Fright is conjured in a one-person show by the always-evocative Zahra Newman (The Book of Mormon) accompanied by a sonic assault from art-electronica band, friendships. Under the direction of Declan Greene, Kenneth Cook’s iconic work of Australian Gothic horror is felt in the flesh. Bring sunscreen, buy a beer and wear your ear plugs.
Once we pierce the Yabba’s ocker veneer, you better be ready for the explosive brutality pent up inside.
"BRILLIANT, BOLD AND DEEPLY UNNERVING THEATRE"
"POWERFUL"
"BRILLIANTLY ACCOMPLISHED AND INNOVATIVE POWERHOUSE"
"REMARKABLE"
"STRIKING"
A Malthouse Theatre production.
Key image: Zan Wimberley
Images: Pia Johnson
A NEW PLAY / | Adapted from Kenneth Cook’s novel by Declan Greene |
CAST & CO-CREATOR / | Zahra Newman |
MUSIC & COMPOSITION BY / | friendships |
SOUND DESIGN / | James Paul |
LIGHTING & PROJECTION DESIGN / | Verity Hampson |
STAGE MANAGER / | Cecily Rabey |
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Event & ticketing details
Accessibility
Dates & Times
PREVIEWS | 8pm Fri 21 Jun, 8pm Sat 22 Jun, 7pm Mon 24 Jun, 7pm Tue 25 Jun |
OPENING NIGHT | 8pm, Wed 26 Jun |
TIME TO TALK | 7pm, Tue 2 Jul |
MONASH MEETS MALTHOUSE | 2pm, Sat 13 Jul |
AUDIO DESCRIBED | 6pm, Sun 7 Jul |
Location
Beckett Theatre
The Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank 3006
Get directionsTrain
Any train to Flinders Street, then a 12-minute stroll through Melbourne’s sparkling Arts Precinct.Tram
The No. 1 South Melbourne tram goes right past our door. Get off at Stop 18. Any tram down St Kilda Road—jump off at Grant Street, Stop 17 and take a 3-minute walk.Event notes
DURATION /
70 minutes (no interval)
WARNINGS /
Contains adult material, coarse language, gunshots, smoke and haze effects, strobe lighting and extremely loud noise (Ear plugs provided).