About The Show – Consent

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Today, we sit down with Samantha Lambert, one of the stars of the upcoming, much-anticipated legal drama Consent, a courtroom and relationship drama replete with fierce wit and an intense exploration of justice and humanity.

About Consent

What is this Production about?

When two emotionally desensitised friends take opposing briefs on a sexual assault case, can justice be served?
Ultimately, Consent is a fierce and witty courtroom/relationship drama, about a group of lawyers and their private lives, and how their jobs impact their humanity.

Full synopsis:
Why is Justice blind? Is she impartial? Or is she blinkered?

Friends Ed and Tim take opposing briefs in a rape case. The key witness is a woman whose life seems a world away from theirs. At home, their own lives begin to unravel as every version of the truth is challenged.
A powerful, painful, funny play that sifts the evidence from every side and puts Justice herself in the dock.

★★★★★ “Jammed with ideas, rich with humanity… A modern classic.” – The Times
★★★★★ “One of Nina Raine’s most enjoyable and intelligent plays. Unreservedly recommended.” – The Independent
“A tense, entertaining modern-day tragi-comedy.” – Telegraph
“Modern classics don’t come along very often. Consent is, without a shadow of a doubt, just that: an intricately constructed philosophical drama that does for love, law and language what Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen did for particle physics and Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia did with time.” – Variety

Mature Audiences (16+ Event). Content Warning: Discussions and depictions of sexual violence, coarse language, smoke haze, and themes of suicide.

What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?

I’m playing Kitty, the wife of a charming, professionally callous barrister, Edward, who is cross-examining a key witness in a sexual assault case. Kitty and Ed’s friends are also barristers, making Kitty the only non-barrister in the room. She is incredibly empathetic and intelligent, but indulges her emotionally detached friends and their blunt, somewhat inhumane opinions.

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

I think there’s an incredibly challenging balance between the quick-paced, charming but fiery wordplay and the emotionally impactful drama of the script.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

Anyone who enjoys black comedy, legalistic witty wordplay, and courtroom/relationship dramas.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

I think being such an impactful drama, the meaty chunks of vibrant comedy throughout the piece, are not only an audience reprieve, but as insight into these seemingly amoral, charming humans.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Poster Images by Joerg Lehman (@joerg_lehmann_photography).
Rehearsal photos by Madeline Ballie (@madeline.baillie)

Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?

To book tickets to Consent, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/DKLHJ.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and giving us a peek behind the scens of “Consent”. Break a leg as you delve into the challenging world of legal ethics and personal truths.

Other production interviews can be viewed in our About The Production Series.

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Ireland The Voyage

Ireland The Voyage

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From the producers of Celtic Illusion, comes a powerful new theatrical experience in Ireland: The Voyage, an epic celebration of Ireland’s history, heart, and heritage brought to life through authentic voices, live music, and world-class Irish dance. Emotional, exhilarating, and deeply immersive, Ireland: The Voyage invites audiences to feel the pulse of a nation – it’s triumphs, its tragedies, its music, and its unbreakable spirit, in a live experience you will never forget!

I was fortunate to be able to delve into this world of all things Ireland currently touring around our country.

Firstly, in my years in dancing (over five decades) I’ve only ever seen Irish dancing twice in my life before (shameful I know!). Once at a high school talent show, and once when I organised a display floorshow at one of our dance fundraisers (everyone commented afterwards how good it was).

This style of dance has sustained as entertainment for decades in theatres around the world, on cruise ships, feature festivals and more. And certainly now I can fully understand why. Whether or not you are Irish, love Irish dancing or music, or just enjoy any stage performances generally; Irish vibes are contagious and captivating!

This show however is much more than just an Irish jig to a whistling tune; it is a real journey of shared stories, history and spirit.

 

 

We learn in detail from our host Giselle about the interesting Irish instruments being played in the traditional Irish band, which remains in full view throughout the show on stage. Each band member is also introduced by name with a little of their Irish background and musical accomplishments. They are all simply brilliant musicians and together bring this show wholly to life.

Irish songs sung both in English and traditional language by Giselle O’Meara are truly unforgettable. Her superior voice carries off each and every note like a fine instrument you could easily listen to for hours. Not loud and showy, but gentle and sweet; welcoming and inviting us to just enjoy!

I closed my eyes a number of times purposefully to listen and take it all in. Not only am I learning along the way about Ireland, a place I loved visiting 25 years ago, I am growing a great appreciation for this music and sound.

Shining stars are evident in the Irish dance champions – a trio mesmerize us with unbroken unison of speed and grace, extraordinary flexibility and control in traditional Gaelic; skillful solo features of rapidly increasing intricate footwork are an honour to witness, and later in the show we will clap along to particular beats in joyful harmony encouraged.

This beautiful show was such a lovely relaxing night out, and my Mum who came with me went home to try and find the great Irish love song ‘Grace’ to add to her playlist.

Thank you so much to the cast, musicians and team at Base Entertainment for this chance to broaden my knowledge of Ireland whilst at the same time tapping my foot along to some incredible music and songs from this voyage on stage transporting us all in the lucky audience to the Emerald Isle afar.

Ticket link: https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/

INSTAGRAM: @ireland_thevoyage

Tour includes cities and towns all over Australia and New Zealand.

Cast:
Giselle O’Meara (Champion Irish dancer and former lead vocalist for Michael Flatley’s global phenomenon Lord of the Dance Arena Tour)
Sara O’Hara (World Top 20 Irish Dancing Championship)
Liam Mcweeny (former quadruple Australian National Champion Irish Dancer)
Corey White (runner-up Australian International Oireachtas)

Musicians:
Tim Gleeson (guitar and Irish drum, the bodhrán)
Cormac O’Hanlon (concertina)
Ciara McGoldrick (low and high pitch whistles)
Muireann O’Dwyer (harp)

To book tickets to Ireland The Voyage, please visit https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/australia.

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Knock And Run Theatre Presents I And You – A Powerful, Poetic Two-hander About Connection And What It Means To Be Alive

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Knock And Run Theatre is proud to announce its upcoming production of I and You, a funny, surprising and deeply moving play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Lauren Gunderson. Set over the course of a single evening, I and You follows Caroline (Nyah Le, “Girls Like That”, “The Wedding Singer”), a sharp, sardonic teenager confined to her bedroom by illness, and Anthony (Sam Lane, “The Crucible”, “Sweeney Todd), an earnest overachiever who arrives unannounced to work on a school assignment about Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.

What begins as an awkward homework session quickly transforms into something far more profound. As the two spar, joke, challenge and ultimately open up to one another, the play becomes a moving exploration of youth, mortality, art, and the mysterious ways we are connected. Both laugh-out-loud funny and unexpectedly devastating, I and You reminds us that even brief encounters can change us forever.

Artistic Director James Chapman says the play was an immediate choice for the company:

“This is a beautifully crafted script. It is witty, intelligent and emotionally explosive. It speaks directly to young people, but it resonates just as powerfully with adult audiences. It’s about seeing someone truly, and being seen in return.”

Known for championing bold, intimate storytelling, Knock And Run Theatre continues its commitment to producing works that place actors and language front and centre. With only two performers, I and You promises an electric theatrical experience driven by raw honesty, humour and heart. Audiences can expect a production that balances teenage vulnerability with philosophical depth, bringing Gunderson’s lyrical writing vividly to life.

I And You is directed by Knock And Run Theatre Artistic Director James Chapman and stars Nyah Le and Sam Lane who are both previous students of Chapman during their acting training at Hunter Drama.

Performance Details
The Royal Exchange, Newcastle
April 8-11, 2026
Tickets on sale now: https://events.humanitix.com/i-and-you

 

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Play Date: Elementary Brings Bold New Short Works To The Stage

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Knock And Run Theatre is proud to announce Play Date: Elementary, the latest iteration of its short play festival celebrating new writing, emerging artists, and experimental performance.

Returning on February 21st at The Laneway Theatre (also known as Newcastle Theatre Company), Play Date: Elementary will present a curated program of short plays responding to the theme “Elementary” – interpreted by artists in playful, abstract, and unexpected ways. The festival showcases a diverse lineup of writers and directors, each bringing a distinct voice and theatrical approach to the stage.

Following an open call that attracted a high volume of submissions, a script assessor (nationally acclaimed playwright Vanessa Bates) chose 9 short plays to be developed and presented as part of the festival. The final program reflects a wide range of styles and perspectives, united by a spirit of curiosity, invention, and bold storytelling.

“Play Date is about creating space for artists to take risks,” says James Chapman, Play Date festival director. “Elementary gave writers permission to strip things back, flip expectations, and approach theatre with a sense of play. The selected works are surprising, smart, and full of energy.”

Play Date has become a key platform for emerging and independent theatre-makers in the region, offering opportunities for writers, directors, and performers to collaborate on new work within a supportive and creatively ambitious framework. The festival prioritises accessibility, simplicity of production, and strong artistic voice.

This year’s festival includes short plays such as “Fridge” by Joshua Maxwell, “Her Element” by Nat Newman, “Cow Juice: An Origin Story” by Dez Robertson and “The Escape” by Alison Lancey. This year’s Play Date is the third iteration of the festival following Play Date: Time & Space (2021) and Play Date: Four Seasons (2025) and will feature multiple short works presented across a mixed bill, with performances at 2pm and 7:30pm on Saturday 21st Feb. Tickets are on sale now and are available via https://events.humanitix.com/play-date-elementary, with full program and artist announcements to follow.

EVENT DETAILS
What: Play Date: Elementary
Presented by: Knock And Run Theatre
When: 2pm & 7:30pm Saturday 21st, Feb
Where: The Laneway Theatre, Lambton
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/play-date-elementary

 

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