The award winning play will receive its premiere at Theatre503 from November. 

Directed by Audrey Sheffield (Don Juan in Soho, Wyndham’s Theatre – understudy run; We Too Are Giants, Tricycle Theatre; Dead Funny, Vaudeville Theatre – understudy run), The Dark Room focuses on the abuse, neglect and limited social care in remote communities in Australia.

Deep into the night, in a run-down motel somewhere in central Australia, six lost souls collide in a distant tragedy of lovesickness and social breakdown – only it’s not the same night. A teenage boy from a nearby country town longs for a stranger. Pregnant Emma longs for her husband, a country cop, drunk after his best friend’s wedding. Anni, a government youth worker accompanied by a withdrawn and violent fourteen-year-old girl, longs for the dawn. As the night draws on, each of them become trapped in a dark and dangerous territory, all searching for a way out.

Talking about bringing the play to London audiences, Angela Betzien said: “I’m thrilled that Theatre503 are producing The Dark Room. This will be the first time the play will be performed beyond Australian borders. In Australia, we have a long and dark history of neglecting, abusing and forgetting the most vulnerable in our communities and it is this disturbing reality that formed on of the starting points for the play. I hope London audiences will find The Dark Room a haunting and illuminating theatrical experience.”

This production is being produced by Paperbark Theatre and will feature designs by Jemima Robinson, lighting by Will Monks and sound design by Jon McLeod.

The Dark Room will play at Theatre503 from the 8th November until the 2nd December. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://theatre503.com/whats-on/the-dark-room/