Description
For the first time at Belvoir 25A, Gabrielle Scawthorn’s The Edit will stage special “babes-in-arms” performances for parents and their babies in October.
With support from Create NSW, The Edit is pioneering a creative process and production model tailored to the needs of mid-career artists who are also parents or carers, an often-overlooked demographic frequently forced out of the industry due to its demanding structures.
In line with this ethos, Legit Theatre Co. and Unlikely Productions have worked to make the production more accessible for parents and carers at every stage: from flexible rehearsal structures to creating opportunities for audiences with babies to attend and experience the work.
“As both an artist and a mother, I know how isolating it can feel when the structures of our industry aren’t built with parents in mind," said writer/director Gabrielle Scawthorn.
"Creating a process that acknowledged the realities of caregiving wasn’t just a practical choice, it was a deeply personal one. I want other parents to see that their creative life doesn’t have to end when they have children. We can make space for both.”
The babes in arms performances will be staged at 2.30pm on Saturday 18 October and at 1.30pm on Thursday 23 October.
At these performances, parents will have buggy spaces for their prams, changing areas and accessible processes in place to make the experience a breast-feeding positive space.
The Edit is a blisteringly sharp two-hander starring Iolanthe (Sistren) and Matilda Ridgway (Furious Mattress), punching in on the underbelly of our guiltiest pleasure: reality television.
Influencer Nia, wants to find her match and win the primetime reality dating hit, Match or Snatch. Producer Jess, wants to orchestrate Nia’s every move to secure a win for both of them. But who is controlling who? And what will the win cost both women?
THE EDIT - 7 - 26 October | Learn More
Writer and director Gabrielle Scawthorn spent a year recording interviews for her acclaimed podcast Back From Reality, supported by Arts Council England, exploring the mental health impacts of reality TV and investigating her own experience as a teenage contestant. Developed from the themes and ideas that emerged from those interviews, The Edit has been workshopped with support from Arts Council England, the National Theatre Studio, and Create NSW.
Legit Theatre Co. and Unlikely Productions are ready to bring this firecracker of a play to Belvoir 25A’s downstairs theatre from 7 - 26 October.
THE EDIT
Presented by Unlikely Productions and Legit Theatre Co.
TEAM
Writer & Director - Gabrielle Scawthorn
Associate Directors - Nancy Denis & Eloise Snape
Set Design - Ruby Jenkins
Lighting Design - Phoebe Pilcher
Composer & Sound Design - Alyx Dennison
Sound Design - Madeleine Picard
Costume Design - Gabrielle Scawthorn
Stage Manager - Cris Chavez
Assistant Stage Managers - Emma Clulow & Karina Kuk
Producers - Hugo Chiarella & Mathew Lee
Assistant Producer - Patrick Phillips
Season: 10 - 26 October 2025
“Babes in Arms” performances: Saturday 18 October (2.30pm) & Thursday 23 October (1.15pm)
Location: Belvoir 25a, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2025 Price: $25 ($20 for previews)
CONTENT WARNINGS: This production of The Edit features strobe lighting, haze, loud noises, references to suicide, depiction of an eating disorder, and includes conversations and sound design that reference or portray sexual assault.
Babes-in-arms matinee performances on Saturday 18 October and Thursday 21 October will operate with technical amendments to make it a suitable space for babies, e.g. less strobe, house lights at a low level and potentially reduced sound volume. For any concerns, contact legittheareco@gmail.com.
The Edit is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Location
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Belvoir Street, Surry Hills NSW, Australia
