ABC Adelaide Interviews Cast Of "THE SHEDS"
- Presidential Productions
- Feb 9, 2014
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 4
ABC Interview with Peter Goers Spotlights The Sheds at Adelaide Fringe
From indie theatre to statewide airwaves: The Sheds cast appears on ABC Radio with Peter Goers OAM. In a major milestone for the indie theatre production, writer-director James Cunningham and the show’s three lead actors were invited to speak live on ABC Radio Adelaide this week with legendary broadcaster Peter Goers. Appearing on The Evening Show, the team shared insights into the creation and reception of their provocative footy drama, currently playing to strong audiences at The Bakehouse Theatre as part of the 2014 Adelaide Fringe.
Goers — a longtime champion of the South Australian arts scene and a respected critic, producer, and columnist — praised the courage and relevance of The Sheds, calling attention to its bold exploration of masculinity, vulnerability, and identity within the high-pressure environment of Australian Rules football. During the live interview, Goers asked about the themes of the play, the creative process behind it, and the audience response so far.
“We’re an amateur, self-funded production, and to be invited into the ABC studios and given that kind of platform by Peter Goers was a massive honour,” Cunningham said after the segment. “It’s not something you take for granted. It’s humbling.”
The cast — Patrick Chirico, Ludwik Exposto, and Andii Mulders — joined Cunningham in the studio, dressed in their signature relaxed rehearsal wear, visibly thrilled by the opportunity. They spoke candidly with Goers about the rehearsal process, the emotional and physical demands of the roles, and what it’s been like preparing for performing such an intimate, charged piece for Adelaide audiences.
The Sheds tells the story of the Fitzroy Fighters, a fictional AFL team thrown into turmoil after one of their star players comes out as gay. The entire play unfolds in real time within the team’s locker room, pulling audiences into a raw and realistic space where loyalty, fear, and identity collide. The play’s uncompromising honesty — including moments of nudity, conflict, and silence — has made it one of the most talked-about shows on the Fringe circuit.
That The Sheds has found its way from an independent crowdfunding campaign to the statewide ABC airwaves is a testament to both the quality of the work and the appetite for stories that challenge, provoke, and reflect the complexities of Australian masculinity. For a grassroots team like Cunningham’s Presidential Productions, the interview marked a turning point in visibility and validation.
The production continues its Adelaide run through February 22, with most performances close to selling out. As Peter Goers noted on-air: “This is a powerful, necessary piece of Australian theatre. Catch it while you can.”
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