SIREN THEATRE CO
EDEN
A valley. A river. Two girls who understand, before they have words for it, that staying will cost them everything.
Kit and Dan have grown up reading this place — its fog, its fences, its careful silences, the things that don't announce themselves until it's too late. When a woman is found at the bend where the water runs flat and deadly, the town explains it away before dark. Kit and Dan have been learning to read this landscape their whole lives. Now they understand what it's asking of them.
EDEN is a lyric two-hander about the ecology of denial and two young women who refuse to remain inside it. About beauty and belonging and the courage to leave before the river decides for you. About the places that shape us, the people who see us clearly, and what it means to choose yourself over everything you know.
Written and directed by Kate Gaul
Performed by Karrine Kanaan and Lara Lightfoot
Vocal Coach Rosalind Nugent-Williams
Composer Nate Edmondson
Premiere Production Adelaide Fringe 2026
The Courtyard of Curiosities (17 - 22 March)
Sydney Premiere
The Substation Qtopia, Taylor Square — 7 to 18 April, 7.30pm
Duration: 50 minutes No interval
The Substation is accessed via stairs throughout the venue.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
"... an outstanding new piece of Australian writing ... Lara Lightfoot and Karrine Kannan are beyond captivating ... Gaul, and Siren Theatre, are preeminent treasures in the Australian arts ecology, and they have delivered a new and exciting piece of work into the canon. I would not be shocked if you find it on a stage or screen near you soon."
Joshua Maxwell, Theatre Thoughts
" ... destined to become an Australian classic...." A Thousand Words
"I have never seen a show like "Eden" before ... a remarkable piece of theatre that feels worthy of wide recognition. With performances that reflect the quality seen in top-tier productions ..." Clara Moutakis, Radio Italiana 531
"... an absorbing and finely crafted theatrical experience: the narrative is engaging, the themes quietly resonant, and the performances of a high calibre.... " Kym Clayton, The Barefoot Review
" ... a remarkably taught, rich work. Filled with depth in writing and performance exploring darkness and lightened hope ... This kind of theatre is really hard. The stripped back kind. The writing has to be perfect. Without that, zip chance... (here) the writing is sublime ..." David O'Brien, The Barefoot Review
" ... a powerful piece of theatre ..." Anastasia Lambis, HiFi Way
"... beautifully written. Kate Gaul crafts a story in a language that is poetic; articulate and perceptive.."
Michael Coghlan, The Clothesline
" ... intimate theatre at its finest .." Lisa Lanzi, Theatre Travels
" ... a work capable of becoming an Australian classic ... the writing is exquisite ..." Jillian Smith
" ... a fine and delicately crafted script ... cannot fault the performances of Kanaan and Lightfoot ... chemistry is undeniable." Kerry Cooper, Stage Whispers
".. few (shows) transcend the quotidian to leave their mark on your psyche and imagination ... This is easily one of the most exciting pieces of new Australian work that I have seen in years. I can’t recommend it more highly. See it." Peta Downes
Photography: Natalia Ladyko
