"THE SHEDS" at Melbourne Fringe

James Cunningham's The Sheds Leaves Its Mark On Melbourne Fringe 2013

Ludwik Exposto, Patrick Chiroco and Andii Mulders in THE SHEDS © Presidential Productions

Amid a festival season buzzing with experimental theatre and bold new voices, one production stood out for its quiet intensity and raw emotional power. The Sheds, an original play written and directed by James Cunningham, has emerged as one of the most talked-about productions of the 2013 Melbourne Fringe Festival — a gripping exploration of masculinity, loyalty and the fragile codes that hold teams, and men, together.

Set entirely within the locker room of the fictional Fitzroy Fighters AFL team, The Sheds plunges the audience into the aftermath of a tough match. The cast strip down their armour, and slowly, methodically, begin to unravel. The entire 90-minute performance draws its tension not from plot twists but from the unbearable honesty of what’s left unsaid — until it isn’t.

Cunningham’s script avoids melodrama in favour of realism, and his direction leans into the silence, sweat, and subtle shifts in body language that define male spaces. The choice to stage the entire work in a single locker room setting — complete with red lockers, benches, water bottles and muddy boots — adds a visceral authenticity. There are no scene changes, no score and no exit. The audience is trapped in the room with the players, and that’s precisely the point.

Ludwik Exposto and Patrick Chiroco in THE SHEDS © Presidential Productions

The ensemble cast of three delivers across the board, each actor perfectly cast and completely committed. Physicality plays a major role — this is a world of bruises, muscle, adrenaline and pride — and the performers embrace it without hesitation. What’s most impressive, though, is the emotional vulnerability the actors tap into beneath the surface. The performances are grounded, believable, and brave.

Opening on September 19, The Sheds played to steadily growing audiences throughout its run. Word of mouth quickly propelled the show from hidden gem to festival must-see. Audiences responded strongly to its authenticity — a reflection, perhaps, of how rarely stories like this are told with such sincerity. Conversations spilled out of the theatre each night, with many viewers lingering, visibly moved, as if needing time to shake off the locker room’s lingering weight.

Audiences praised the production as “a bold and necessary piece of amateur Australian theatre” and “a rare portrait of male vulnerability that neither preaches nor panders.” Cunningham’s work behind the scenes was widely acknowledged, with many noting his precision in casting and restraint in directing. By letting the story breathe — and the actors carry it — he delivered something deeply human.

At a festival known for its innovation, The Sheds stood out by doing something deceptively simple: it gave men space to talk, fail, fear, and reveal themselves. It gave the audience the privilege of watching.

Whether you come for the football or the drama, The Sheds hits hard — and lingers.

Learn more at Presidential Productions.

---