What's On

Theatre Works, David Tredinnick and Adam Browne present

Bladderwrack
By David Tredinnick and Adam Browne

In the chilldrippery of a sunken galleon, two ancient pirates dwell in extravagant misery: Saucy Jack and Bagfoot, their lives sustained by the ecosystem that has overtaken the bilge around them.

Thanks to the bile-green phosphorescent bladderwrack that thrives in the ship’s bowels, their air refuses to run out – and thanks to the eyeless, dark-adapted ghastlies that swim among those weeds, their food refuses to run out also. The men have existed for decades and although they might prefer otherwise, their lives are not without incident.

But there’s something still worse to come: the unveiled memory of why they're down there at all...

A science fiction pirate horror comedy brought to the stage by renowned actor David Tredinnick and writer Adam Browne, this new Australian work invites audiences into a small setting to witness a big story. Proudly supported by Theatre Works as a part of the 2025 With Theatre Works season of shows, this fantastical new work promises to be a highlight on the Melbourne arts calendar. Playing for a limited season at the Explosives Factory in St Kilda, it’s not to be missed.

Theatre Works is a vibrant hub for creative expression, fostering the development and presentation of innovative and daring performances. Committed to supporting the next generation of artists and engaging audiences with powerful storytelling, the organisation is vital to Australia’s cultural landscape. Bladderwrack is playing as part of the With Theatre Works programming stream.

Written by David Tredinnick and Adam Browne
Directed by David Tredinnick and Adam Browne
Performed by David Tredinnick, Oscar Munroe, Samuel Thomas-Holland and Harriet Turner-Browne
Operatic Vocals by Samuel Thomas-Holland
Puppets made by Julian Chapple and Emma Jevons
Set Design by Adam Browne and David Tredinnick
Costume Design by Katerina Petratos
Stage Manager: Ella Thompson

5 - 15 November 2025
Tues - Sat 7:30pm
Preview: Wednesday 5 November
Opening Night: Thursday 6 November
Tickets: $48 Full, $38 Concession, $28 Preview, $25 Mob Tix (+bf)
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/bladderwrack
Enquiries: (03) 9534 3388
Venue: Explosives Factory, Rear Laneway 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
www.bladderwrackplay.com.au

Duration: 60 minutes no interval
Age suitability: 15+
Warnings: No coarse language, nudity or sex, but lots of adult concepts
Accessibility: Explosives Factory is accessed via a flight of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. A further access guide will be available closer to the date