THE BIRDS

BY DAPHNE DU MAURIER

ADAPTED BY LOUISE FOX

DIRECTED BY MATTHEW LUTTON

 

The winds will change. And they'll be waiting. 

16 May - 7 Jun

Beckett Theatre

World Premiere

16 May - 7 Jun

$45–$80

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Overnight, the weather has turned in a small town. A war has been declared and there’s no one who can stop it.

One family sounds the warning, but what can you do when denial is as easy as keeping your head down?

Award-winning actor Paula Arundell (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) sends your pulse sky-rocketing in this adrenaline-shot adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic gothic horror that Hitchcock immortalised in film.

Lights off, headphones on, it is time to be immersed in a theatrical feat of audio engineering. Enter a nightmarish soundscape of flying feathers, murderous swoops and thrilling carnage directed by Matthew Lutton (responsible for making you scream during Picnic at Hanging Rock).

As you dodge and duck out of reach, just remember: the big-wigs in the city won’t save you.

Rehearsal photography by Lauren Gallina

TESSA

PAULA ARUNDELL

ADAPTOR

LOUISE FOX

DIRECTOR

MATTHEW LUTTON

SET & COSTUME DESIGNER

KAT CHAN

LIGHTING DESIGNER

NIKLAS PAJANTI

COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER

J. DAVID FRANZKE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

MARNI MOUNT

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER

SIDNEY YOUNGER

STAGE MANAGER

ROSEMARY OSMOND

SOUND ASSOCIATE / OPERATOR

GIDEON COZENS

ADDITIONAL VOICEOVER & TRANSLATIONS

REBECCA VINCENT

MOVEMENT CONSULTANT

LYNDALL GRANT

SCENIC ART

PATRICK JONES

SET & COSTUME INTERN

DAVID WOTHERSPOON

EVENT & TICKETING DETAILS

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Previews

7.30pm , Fri 16 May
7.30pm, Sat 17 May
6.30pm, Mon 19 May
7.30pm, Tue 20 May

In Season

6.30pm, Mon
7.30pm, Tue–Sat
2pm, Sat 24 May

Time to Talk

7.30pm, Tue 27 May

DURATION

80 minutes

LOCATION

Beckett Theatre

Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank 3006

Get directions

CONTENT NOTES

This production contains coarse language, graphic descriptions of violence, harm, and death, strong horror themes, loud and sudden noises, flashing lights, strobe and smoke effects. The audience will be supplied headphones to wear throughout the performance.

Detailed content information is available on this webpage.

If you would like to speak with us about specific content, please contact box office on (03) 9685 5111 or boxoffice@malthousetheatre.com.au.

ACCESSIBILITY

Wheelchair Access
Assistive Listening

Aural Rating: 75% – this production is mainly sound-based, with visuals only incidental to the work, so blind or low vision audiences can have close to the full experience of the event.

Visual Rating: below 50% – this production is predominantly sound-based event. 

The Birds is experienced through headphones and heavily incorporates a stunning sound design. While most people with minor hearing impairments will find the flat headphones comfortable and adequate to hear the show, we have a limited selection of alternative options for patrons who wear external hearing aids or use personal induction loops. 

If you think you may benefit from alternative headphones, please contact boxoffice@malthousetheatre.com.au.

Alternative options must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of the performance. 

For more information about accessibility services, visit our access page.

ACCESS PACK