"THE SHEDS" Opens at Adelaide Fringe

Locker Room Tensions Ignite as The Sheds Opens at Adelaide Fringe

Patrick Chiroco, Ludwik Exposto and Andii Mulders performing in The Sheds © Presidential Productions

Adelaide audiences got their first look inside the Fitzroy Fighters' locker room last night as The Sheds opened at The Bakehouse Theatre for its Adelaide Fringe premiere. The show — which earned critical acclaim in Melbourne for its intense, stripped-back look at masculinity and vulnerability — brings three teammates together after a footy match to confront each other, and themselves, in a space where silence is the norm.

Directed by James Cunningham, the one-act play delivers 90 minutes of simmering tension and emotional honesty, all set within a realistic AFL change room. The cast’s physical and emotional commitment has already drawn praise from opening night crowds, many of whom stayed behind to discuss the performance long after the final scene.

The production features the talents of three of Melbourne’s most dynamic and daring young actors — Patrick Chirico as Darren Anderson, Ludwik Exposto as team captain Liam Greenwood, and Andii Mulders as the troubled Jimmy Davis. Their performances delve deep into the psyche of athletes, exploring the pressures of conformity, the fear of ostracisation, and the personal cost of authenticity.

Patrick Chiroco, Ludwik Exposto, director James Cunningham, and Andii Mulders following Opening Night of THE SHEDS at Adelaide Fringe 2014 © Presidential Productions

The Sheds runs through February 22, with limited performances. Early buzz suggests Adelaide might be in for one of the Fringe’s standout productions — a play that tackles big themes in a tightly confined space, and leaves a lasting impact.

Tickets are available now at the Adelaide Fringe website. Given the show's limited run and growing acclaim, securing tickets promptly is advisable. For more information visit Presidential Productions.

---