Award-winning playwright and Fringe favourite, Philip Stokes, brings his latest play Shellshocked to Holden Street Theatres this Adelaide Fringe.
Performed by Jack Stokes and Lee Bainbridge, Shellshocked tells the story of a young soldier Wesley (Stokes), broken by the horrors of World War 2. On returning home and in desperate need of a job, he is interviewed by local portrait painter Mr Lupine for a vacant apprenticeship.
Wesley encounters another kind of madness inside the artist’s studio, which threatens to push him to destruction as he discovers the ulterior motives behind the artist’s palette…
Shellshocked continues multi-award-winning Holden Street Theatres (under the Artistic leadership of Martha Lott) and TONY, Olivier and EMMY award-winning UK artistic producer, Richard Jordan’s long association of producing and presenting acclaimed new international writing at Adelaide’s premiere new writing theatre.
Past collaborations include Heroin(e) for Breakfast, Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me, My Filthy Hunt – all by Philip Stokes, Believe, and Bitch Boxer which have won multiple Adelaide Fringe awards.
Shellshocked receives it Australian premiere, exclusive to Adelaide, following a sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe and UK tour. In May 2025 the production will transfer to New York for a season Off-Broadway.
Philip Stokes’ critically acclaimed plays include Heroin(e) For Breakfast, LASH, Über Hate Gang, My Filthy Hunt, and Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me. His work has had sold-out productions across the globe, winning awards including The Fringe Review Outstanding Theatre Award and the Adelaide Holden Street Theatre Award, along with gaining five-star reviews from international press.
Stokes is recognised by the British Library as a Culturally Important Playwright of the 21st Century. He has enjoyed a long association with the Adelaide Fringe where his award-winning plays Heroin(e) For Breakfast and Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me have also played the Adelaide Fringe winning their prestigious weekly theatre awards.
Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play
The Arch – Holden Street Theatres, 32 – 34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh (Adelaide)
Season: 18 February – 23 March 2025
Bookings: www.adelaidefringe.com.au
For more information, visit: www.holdenstreettheatres.com for details.
Image: Shellshocked – photo by Craig Lomas