Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre brings Shhhh to the stage this June

A challenging new work from acclaimed writer Clare Barron (Dance Nation, You Got Older) that cleverly explores the impacts of physical trauma and sexual assault in a dark and disturbing tale of two sisters, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre brings Shhhh to the stage this June.

Opening on Friday 23 June, Shhhh is directed by Emma Valente, Co-Artistic Director and Co-CEO of feminist theatre company THE RABBLE, and features Jessica Clarke, Hayley Edwards, Caroline Lee, Jess Lu, Peter Paltos and Sunanda Sachatrakul in an Australian premiere season.

In this visceral new play, Shareen is struggling in a complicated relationship, worrying about her mother, and battling a range of health issues. Her older sister, Sally, 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 work on empowerment, bodies and the grey areas of consent. Not for the faint-hearted, this Australian Premiere explores pain, pleasure, freedom and disappointment, and sisterhood.

Clare Barron is a playwright from Wenatchee, Washington. Her plays include: Dance Nation (Playwrights Horizon), You Got Older (Page 73), I’ll Never Love Again (The Bushwick Starr), and Baby Screams Miracle (Clubbed Thumb).

Barron’s awards include: Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (Dance Nation), Relentless Award (Dance Nation), The James Tait Black Prize for Drama, two Obie Awards (You Got Older, Dance Nation) and the Whiting Award for Drama. She was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Dance Nation.

Director: Emma Valente | Featuring: 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