Belvoir presents a gripping adaptation of Australian literary icon Helen Garner’s award-winning novel The Spare Room in the Upstairs Theatre from 7 June 2025.
Directed and adapted by Eamon Flack, Belvoir’s artistic director, The Spare Room features Elizabeth Alexander (Clickbait, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf), alongside Australian screen legend Judy Davis in her first on-stage role in almost 15 years.
The Spare Room is an emotionally nuanced depiction of two old friends confronting the burden of illness, inspired by Garner’s own experiences caring for a friend with cancer. When Helen’s old friend, Nicola, comes to town for treatment, it only makes sense she should stay in the spare room.
Nicola has put her faith in a shady alternative cancer clinic, and Helen is determined to be her brilliant friend and carer no matter what. But as the sleepless nights rack up, a short stay in the spare room becomes a loving, maddening battle for life.
“I’ll call it: Helen Garner’s our greatest living writer. I’ve been dreaming for years of putting her work on stage. The Spare Room looks like a story about dying but it’s really about what we live for: each other,” says Flack.
“It’s also by turns naughtily funny, sympathetic, cruel, invigorating. And, let’s cut to the chase, here’s a chance to see Judy and Liz in complex, nuanced roles they were born to play.”
From frustration and rage to love and honesty, this tour-de-force of modern Australian theatre is not to be missed.
Director: Eamon Flack | Featuring: Elizabeth Alexander, Judy Davis, Emma Diaz, Alan Dukes, Hannah Waterman | Set and Costume Designer: Mel Page | Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson | Assistant Lighting Designer: Phoebe Pilcher | Composer and Sound Designer: Steve Francis | Assistant Director: Mehhma Malhi | Fight Director: Nigel Poulton | Magic and Illusions Design: (Magic Inc) Adam Mada | Stage Manager: Luke McGettigan | Assistant Stage Manager: Grace Sackman | Consulting Producer: Ákos Armont | Consulting Producer: Antony Waddington
The Spare Room
Upstairs Theatre – Belvoir St Theatre, Belvoir Street, Surry Hills
Season: 7 June – 13 July 2025
Information and Bookings: www.belvoir.com.au
Image: Judy Davis and Elizabeth Alexander star in The Spare Room (supplied)