Join Conversation Four With IN THE NEXT ROOM And The World Premiere Of XENIDES

In the final pairing for the year CONVERSATION 4: Girls just want to have fun - we embrace the feminine and look at the roles and representation of women across a century.

In The Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl is an hysterical parlour drama set in the1880s, revealing the history of the vibrator and directed by Jeffrey Jay Fowler (Blithe Spirit, The Eisteddfod) in the Heath Ledger Theatre from 20 Oct to 4 Nov.

This play pairs with Xenides, devised by Clare Watson and collaborators from 25 Oct to 11 Nov in the Studio Underground. This is our third world premiere and top dollar musical exposè about Adriana Xenides, the 1980s game show hostess from Australia's 'Wheel of Fortune', with original composition by Xani Kolac.

"It may have started with a Vagina Monologue but it ends with The Vibrator Play!" This is a sassy play that re-imagines the curious chapter in the early history of psychotherapy, when women were treated with a certain mechanical device. And thus, began the peculiar history of the vibrator.

Set in the 1880s, just after the advent of electricity, In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play takes place in the adjoining parlour and consulting room of Dr Givings, who specialises in treating "hysteria" in women. Brisk, clinical and efficient in manner, he obsesses on the marvels of technology and what it can do for his patients. Although highly observant, he fails to notice that his wife, Catherine, is feeling neglected. Seeking the companionship of her husband's patients, she soon begins to discover the truth about what goes on 'in the next room'. A fantastically funny and marvellously entertaining bodice ripper about true love and org*sms. Nominated for three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, this is a play guaranteed to hit the spot!

Xenides is a high camp, existential, devised work which consists of existing songs from the 80s and original composition. Adriana Xenides' biography is operatic in scale. It's a story that draws on many tropes: rags to riches, the migrant's journey, the fairytale princess and the tragic icon. Xenides mixes the parochial and kitsch with bass notes of affecting empathy. It is a work that is both hilarious and tender and in Clare Watson's inimitable style, the piece challenges cultural paradigms and systemic misogyny with its tongue firmly in its cheek.

Artistic Director Clare Watson states that "we programmed these shows to look at the representation and roles of women and the things we are and aren't allowed to represent and talk about. In the Next Room is essentially about female pleasure and Xenides is about a woman representative of a two-dimensional, relatively silent clotheshorse. It is about giving women voice and stage time - two things we don't always prioritise."

Taking place during Conversation Four there are several special add on events. This includes a panel discussion on Thursday 1 November, 6pm to illuminate the 'F' (feminist) word. The panel will be hosted by BLACK SWAN Resident Artist, Katt Osborne (Assistant Director, Xenides), alongside Helen Carroll (Curator and Manager of Wesfarmers Arts), Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa (Actor, Fully Sikh) and Lucy Peach (Songwriter/ Poet). Also look out for the Dirty Dancing Dance - Off, Friday 2 November at 9.30pm.

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