This is Eden
By Emily Goddard directed by Susie Dee
Funny, dark and provocative, this award-winning ‘anti-bonnet drama’ is an extraordinary tale of rebellion and survival. Following a successful regional tour of Victoria in 2019 this beautifully realised and powerfully performed solo show is ready to hit the road again in 2022.
"Goddard is nothing less than extraordinary"
Be ‘transported’ back to 1839 to Tasmania’s infamous Cascades Female Factory, where in a solitary cell on the edge of survival, Mary Ford waits alone in the darkness. Left for dead, ten thousand miles from home, she plots escape and reveals, with biting mockery, the untold tales of her captors. This is Eden is at once an examination of our dark past, a parody of the way we perceive it and a vital call to arms.
Winner of the 2018 Drama Victoria Award and featured on the VCE Drama Playlist, This is Eden is an extraordinary tale of female rebellion and survival that has seemingly escaped our nation’s history lesson. In a tour-de-force performance, Emily Goddard and acclaimed director Susie Dee use French clowning and Bouffon-esque devices to ridicule and provoke those in power by examining our dark past and parodying the way we perceive it.
Nominated for Best Performer at the 2017 Green Room Awards, This is Eden premiered at the Butter Factory Theatre, Albury-Wodonga and has since had two critically acclaimed, sold out Melbourne seasons at Forty-five downstairs and a highly successful Victorian tour in late 2019.
REVIEWS
"Nauseatingly exquisite...if there is one ticket you buy this year, this is it." Broadway World
"As affecting and impressive as anything you will see." Australian Stage
"Wild and Brilliant. Our favourite show of the year." Across the Aisle
“Funny, embarrassing, shocking and sad, This is Eden taps into a deep well of personal confusion and social shame, and invites the audience to confront and address similar feelings. This is Eden suggests that the mentality that has brought Australian society to some of its greatest contemporary challenges has deep roots that need to be explored if those challenges are to be fully addressed. Most importantly, the play provides an opportunity to do some of that work.” Paul Rae
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Emily's courageous performance is a force to behold and takes the audience on a wild ride that is totally compelling. This is Eden shines a light on our blighted history and is laced with contemporary resonance. This is a show that seeps into your bones, chills you to the core, as we delve deep into the challenges, both personal and collective, that prevent us from reckoning with the past.
Susie Dee
TOURING IN 2022
TAS Hoskins Centre Armidale, NSW | Land of the Anaiwan and Kamilaroi people
30 July | BOOK
Coffs Harbour Jetty Memorial Theatre NSW | Land of the Gumbaynggirr People
2 August | BOOK
Empire Theatre Toowoomba, QLD | Land of the Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair People
6 August | BOOK
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
12-13 August | BOOK
Theatre North presented at Princess Theatre Launceston, TAS | Land of the tyerremotepanner, panninher and the leterrermairrener People
17 August | BOOK
Theatre Royal Hobart, TAS | Land of the Muwinina people
19-20 August | BOOK
Cowra Civic Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
27 August | BOOK
TOURING IN 2022
TAS Hoskins Centre Armidale, NSW | Land of the Anaiwan and Kamilaroi people
30 July | BOOK
Coffs Harbour Jetty Memorial Theatre NSW | Land of the Gumbaynggirr People
2 August | BOOK
Empire Theatre Toowoomba, QLD | Land of the Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair People
6 August | BOOK
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri people
12-13 August | BOOK
Theatre North presented at Princess Theatre Launceston, TAS | Land of the tyerremotepanner, panninher and the leterrermairrener People
17 August | BOOK
Theatre Royal Hobart, TAS | Land of the Muwinina people
19-20 August | BOOK
Cowra Civic Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
27 August | BOOK
Previous Tour
July - August 2022
CREDITS
Writer and Performer
Emily Goddard
Director Susie Dee
Dramaturge Mark Wilson
Set and Costume Designer
Romanie Harper
Sound Designer and Composer
Ian Moorhead
Lighting Designer
Gina Gascoigne
If you are interested in touring get in contact!
Arts on Tour
02 8038 1880
touring@artsontour.com.au
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.