IN THE NEXT ROOM,
OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY
By SARAH RUHL
22 April – 17 May 2025
“A flick of the finger – On, off, on off! We shall be like gods!”
In the spa town of Saratoga Springs, shortly after the end of the American Civil War and at the dawn of electricity, trailblazing GP Dr Givings specializes in gynaecological disorders.
His treatment of women suffering from ‘hysteria’ involves a revolutionary new ‘massage device’ that produces a ‘paroxysm’.
Lonely and sexually frustrated, his young wife Catherine befriends one of her husband’s patients and becomes increasingly fascinated by his electrical-powered instruments, and the strange sounds emanating from ‘the next room’.
This clever, funny, profoundly thoughtful play throws a feminist light on the emotional and physical neglect endured by women in a male-dominated society.
“This brilliant play is, to put it mildly, an eye-opener!” The Guardian
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Emma Whitehead
Set Designer Tom Bannerman
Lighting Designer Alicia Badger
Costume Designer Hugo Fraser
Assistant Set Designer Paris Bell
Props, Set & Costume Coordinator Annette van Roden
Dramaturg & Intimacy Coordinator Sonya Kerr
Stage Manager Jade Dunleavy
ASM Sophie Aloi
CAST
Sarah Greenwood, Lisa Kelly
Lewis McLeod, Alyona Popova
Ruva Shoko, Riley Thomas
Luke Visentin
DATES/TIMES
Previews Tue 22 Apr & Wed 23 Apr 7:30pm
Opening Night Thu 24 Apr 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm
Final performance Sat 17 May 2pm
Running time: to be announced
Please note: latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance
tickets
Full $37
Concessions, Groups (6+) $32
New Theatre Members $25
Thrifty Thursdays $25
Preview $20
(Booking and transaction fees apply)
Patrons please note: New Theatre is now EFTPOS-only
at Front of House for both ticket and bar sales.
By Arrangement with ORiGiN™ Theatrical
On Behalf of Samuel French
A Concord Theatricals Company
Main image: © Carlos Neto/Shutterstock