Co-produced by The Space Company and Geelong Arts Centre

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Sitting between rainforest, sand dunes, and the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean lies the old port town of Strahan. With its strange tides, and stranger tidings; a place where the roar of an engine meets the deafening silence of ancient trees; a place where fishermen haul their catch from water stained black by button grass, a place where coastal winds race across a fog-laced harbour towards passing travellers. All was peaceful here… until unexpected visitors arrived at Hells Gates.

CREATIVE TEAM:
Creator & Executive Producer: Joel Carnegie
Writer: James Jackson
Director: Katy Maudlin
Composer/Musician: Xani Kolac
Set/Costume Design: Emily Collett
Lighting Designer: Richard Vabre
Cultural Consultant: Trish Hodge
Development Dramaturg: Tom Molyneux
Production Manager: Justin Gardam
Stage Manager: Mitchell Walters
Additional Creative Collaborators (2021-22): Robert Tripolino and Dushan Philips
Dramaturgy of Hells Gates was a collaborative process, shepherded by the cast and creative team within the rehearsal room. 

CAST:
Louise Siversen
Matu Ngaropo
Natalie O’Donnell

WORLD PREMIERE SEASON
10 - 12 AUGUST 2023
THE PLAY HOUSE, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE

When the tides turn and crisis unfolds, who is going to save us? 

This dramatic “on-the-edge-of-your seat” production from Joel Carnegie and writer James Jackson combines drama with humour, poetry, and live music to highlight the spirit of a remote community banding together – and what can be achieved in the face of adversity.  

Directed by Katy Maudlin (IPHIS, Slap. Bang. Kiss), starring Louise Siversen (Heartbreak Choir, House Husbands, Prisoner) Natalie O'Donnell (Come From Away, Next to Normal) and Matu Ngaropo (Hamilton Australia/NZ), with a captivating live musical soundscape from Xani Kolac - Hells Gates is an "emotional rollercoaster" of a story about courage, humour, and determination. 

“It is an extraordinary story, with the piece unfolding with such generosity…”

PROJECT PARTNERS:
This project was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; by the City of Greater Geelong Community Grant, Geelong Connected Communities, Rydges Geelong, the Robert Salzer Foundation, and by the Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine program. Hells Gates was produced and rehearsed on Wadawurrung Country, with extensive research conducted on the lands of the palawa people (lutruwita / Tasmania).

Hells Gates is based upon actual events. However, the characters, organisations, and incidents portrayed are fictitious, and with respect to such characters, organisations and incidents, any similarity to the name, character, or history of any person, living or dead, organisation, or any actual event is entirely coincidental and unintentional.