This July, New Theatre presents the world premiere of J. James-Moody’s stage adaptation of John Wyndham’s seminal science fiction classic The Day of the Triffids.
London, 1951: In an attempt to solve the world’s energy crisis, scientists engineer the Triffids: a biofuel crop that is highly efficient, strangely sentient, and disturbingly carnivorous.
When a freak cosmic event blinds most of the world’s population, one man wakes into a collapsing society where fear, opportunism, and chaos reign. As humans struggle to survive, an unexpected predator rises. Free from observation, the Triffids begin their ascent. The beast is loose!
Adapted from John Wyndham’s novel, The Day of the Triffids erupts into vivid, immersive reality in this bold new theatrical experience by J. James-Moody (The Dismissal, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) – this will be a production unlike anything you’ve seen before.
“I first read the novel in high school. I was jealous a different class was reading what looked like a cool book so I snuck into the book depository and took a copy. Shortly thereafter I wrote a terrible screenplay for a contemporary, Americanised film adaptation that potentially predicted 9/11,” said J. James-Moody.
“I hope this adaptation corrects those mistakes. I’ve since obsessively collected different editions of the book and thought about this play for 25 years. I’m excited to stage all of it but, if we pull it off, especially the flamethrower and the tank with our compressed resources.”
The Day of the Triffids features a stellar cast including Tony Llewellyn-Jones, (Picnic at Hanging Rock), Claudia Elbourne (She Threaded Dangerously), Max Ryan (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), James Collins (The Flea) and Nathan Farrow (Shakespeare in Love).
“And we danced, on the brink of an unknown future, to an echo from a vanished past…”
Director: J. James-Moody | Featuring: James Collins, Claudia Elbourne, Nathan Farrow, Tony Llewellyn-Jones, Kate Mannix, Max Ryan, Umai Shantharajah, Natasha Todd | Lighting Designer: Holly Nesbitt | Sound Designer: Aubtin Namdar | Production Designer: J. James-Moody | Associate Directors: Angela Yarad, Carla Te Paa | Stage Manager: Matilda Horton | Assistant Stage Manager: Cerys Greason-Walker | Lighting Assistants: Marc Monnet-Demarbre, Ron Abuhalaiqa
The Day of the Triffids
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown
Season: 2 – 25 July 2026 (previews: 30 June & 1 July)
Information and Bookings: www.newtheatre.org.au
Image: The Day of the Triffids – © everettovrk/Adobe Stock; Canva Stock; Composition: Maddy Withington