By Clare Barron
20 June – 16 July
Red Stitch Theatre
“The electricity moves through my fingers. And everywhere I touch you, it shocks you. And I can turn up the dial, so it either tickles or hurts. Whatever you want.”
Clare Barron’s visceral new play is a challenging exploration of pain, pleasure, freedom and disappointment, and sisterhood.
Shareen is struggling in a complicated relationship, worrying about her mother, and battling a range of health issues. Her older sister, Sally, a part time witch and ASMR therapist, offers advice, and seems to possess a higher knowledge, but is herself dealing with trauma.
Shhhh is a fiercely provocative new play about empowerment, bodies, consent and how we might learn to listen to one another’s complex desires.
Writer: Clare Barron
Director: Emma Valente
Cast: Jessica Clarke, Hayley Edwards, Caroline Lee, Jess Lu, Peter Paltos, Sunanda Sachatrakul
Set & Costume Design: Romanie Harper
Lighting Design: Giovanna Yate Gonzalez
Composition/Sound Design: Emma Valente
Production Dramaturg: Noemie Huttner-Koros
Stage Manager: Jemma Law
Assistant Stage Manager: Sophie O’Donovan
Photo: Jodie Hutchinson
Photo: Robert Blackburn
“The highlight of this erotically charged production is the cast. All six actors deliver captivating performances”
Time Out
“Loneliness. Pain. Emotional connection. Desire. Sexual kinks. Consent. That is US writer Clare Barron’s Shhhh, which has its Australian premiere at Red Stitch Theatre. Bold, confronting and, on occasions, perplexing, it is a play that concerns itself with sexual assault, rape culture, mental and physical wellbeing, and the sisterhood…Clarke and Lee, in particular, highlight their respective characters search for a significant other that will provide fulfilment … for their loneliness is apparent.”
The Blurb
“Performances are great across the board, but Caroline Lee is a standout here – playing Sally, the two-years-older sister who has aged dramatically. She gets to be sensual and wild and comical and sly in a variety of guises through the show.”
Keith Gow
Photo: Jodie Hutchinson