Wildly theatrical, darkly comic, deeply intimate... “dangerously mad”.
Hysterical, hormonal, deluded, irrational... Throughout history, women have been silenced, sidelined, and pathologised by a simple label: "crazy".
BATSHIT is a wildly theatrical, darkly comic, and deeply intimate reckoning with the myths and misconceptions of female madness. Fresh from an award-winning run at Edinburgh Fringe, the renegade feminist, guttural, and Prozac-laden dark comedy returns to Brisbane Festival.
A requiem for the creator’s grandmother Gwen, who was incarcerated for seeking independence in 1960s Australia, BATSHIT draws on personal stories, in-depth research, and pop culture to unpack how psychiatry has been shaped by gender bias.
Created by psycho-siren Leah Shelton (AU) and directed by Olivier award-winning Ursula Martinez (UK), this one-woman tour de force tears apart the labels used to control and undermine women through razor-sharp wit, raw storytelling, and unflinching performance.
Dates & Times
10 - 13 Sep
Duration: 50 minutes, no interval.
7:30pm
Venue
Prices & Ticket Info
Adults - $69
Conc - $49
Mobtix - $29
Accessibility
- Open Captioning
- 75% Visual Content
- Audio Described
- Auslan
- Assistive Listening
- Wheelchair Access
Important Info
This work references mental illness, institutionalised medical treatment, ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) and grief. It also contains occasional coarse language, sexual references, a moment of audience interaction, haze/smoke effects, loud noises, bright lighting flashes, strobe lighting effects, full blackout.
BATSHIT contains content that may be distressing for some. If you or someone you know needs information or support, these organisations are here to help:
Lifeline: 13 11 44
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
13YARN: 13 92 76
Q-Life: 1800 184 527
Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Credits
Creator, Performer, Co-Writer, Costume Designer, Set Co-Designer, Voiceover Leah Shelton
Director & Co-Writer Ursula Martinez
Co-Writer & Voiceover Christine Shelton
Touring Co-Producer & Agent Linda Catalano (Quiet RIOT)
Sound Design Kenneth Lyons
Lighting Designer Jason Glenwright
Set Co-Designer, Video Designer (live feed, projection, systems design), Production & Stage Manager, Set & Lighting Construction Freddy Komp
Video Designer (content) Grace Uther
Lighting Construction Assistant Stephen Rowan
Scenic Arting Shaun Caulfield
Conceptual Collaborator Daniel Evans
Conceptual Collaborator Lisa Fa’alafi
Dramaturgical Consultant Saffron Benner
Choreographic Consultant Kate Harman
Pre-recorded Vocals (Get Happy) Naomi Price
Voiceover Hugh Parker
Image by Joel Devereux
Supported By
BATSHIT was developed with the assistance of Metro Arts and Vulcana
Reviews
The Age
The Scotsman
Artists
Leah Shelton
Psycho-siren Leah Shelton creates stylized, guttural, renegade feminist work soaked in cult references and dark humour. Based in so-called Australia, her work has taken her from the glamour of Las Vegas to the back streets of Kings Cross, from rigorous training in Japan to live art festivals in New York.