01-11 August 2018

old 505 theatre
sydney

12-23 September 2018

la mama theatre
melbourne

SOLD OUT

“It’s rare to see a first play written by a young writer that is so economically astute, so lyrical, so authentic and so magical as Hell’s Canyon”

- Joanna Murray Smith, DAILY REVIEW

ABOUT THE SHOW

“Sometimes there are things you can’t forget about, even when you try. They just show up in your brain outta nowhere. Walking home, or in line at the canteen, or when we were making out before. It smacks you right in the face. Right outta nowhere. I don’t know what’s so wrong about remembering.” 
– Hell’s Canyon

Caitlin and Oscar used to be mates, but not anymore. These days Caitlin texts boys to meet her in public parks while
Oscar eats his lunch in the teachers’ staffroom. Today is different though. The unlikely pair share a haunting memory, so they make a pact to run. To completely disappear. Go full on missing.

Winner of the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights’ Award and shortlisted for the Patrick White Playwrights’ Award, and developed through Playwriting Australia's National Play Festival, Hell’s Canyon is story of friendship, grief, and teenage rebellion.

Cast and creatives

Written by - Emily Sheehan
Directed by - Katie Cawthorne
Cast - Isabelle Ford and Conor Leach
Design - Tyler Ray Hawkins
Sound Design - Kimmo Vennonen
Stage Manager and Operator - Laura Barnes
Promotional photography - Ellen Stanistreet
Production photography - James John & Jack Dixon-Gunn

AWARDS

WINNER Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award
WINNER Melbourne Fringe Award
SHORTLIST Patrick White Playwrights Award

“Hell’s Canyon has smart writing, vivid characters and a profound engagement with the complexities of being alive, things like love, grief and mortality.”

- Alison Croggon, WITNESS PERFORMANCE

“Hell’s Canyon by Emily Sheehan is an intriguing representation of our youth, particularly memorable for the authenticity of its dialogue. Speech patterns, as well as the psychology that it showcases, bear an admirable sense of accuracy,”

- SUZY GOES SEE

“This is a sharp and appealing play”

Jason Blake, AUDREY JOURNAL

“Sheehan creates a vivid and authentic world in the lives of these teens, so it comes as no surprise that her writing has already won and been shortlisted for several awards. Hell’s Canyon gives us real characters who, though with different individual approaches, both move and inspire.”

- THE BUZZ FROM SYDNEY

media

PLAYWRITING AUSTRALIA / In Conversation with Emily Sheehan

PRECINCT FINE ARTS / Hell’s Canyon playwright Emily Sheehan and actor Conor Leach in conversation

AUSSIE THEATRE / Hell’s Canyon at La Mama interview with the cast

published script

Curriculum Links

• 2021 VCE Drama & Theatre Studies Playlist: Theatre Studies Unit 3

• Drama, Theatre Studies, English

• Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social

What else can we offer?

• Free digital teaching resources including class activities, discussion topics and writing prompts appropriate for secondary students

• Free 15 minute Q&A after the show with actors

CAST & CREATIVES

Writer - EMILY SHEEHAN
Director - KATIE CAWTHORNE
Cast - FREYA PATIENCE
Cast - BENJAMIN NICHOL
Designer - TYLER RAY HAWKINS
Music and Sound Designer - KIMMO VENNONEN
Scenic Art - ICARUS SPRIGGINS
Vocals - AMELIA GILLING
Stage Manager and Operator - LAURA BARNES