World Premiere August 2023 at Perth Institute of Contemporary Art

4.5 ★

‘A piece of theatre that will leave you feeling very satisfied - a warm hug of a show.’ – Kimberley Shaw, Stage Whispers

‘Powerful, compelling and the right amount of everything, this hilariously sad show is tragically funny. A celebration of beauty as much as a symptom of angst, this bittersweet dialogue will make mothers cry, and bees rejoice.’ Nanci Nott, Artshub

‘Part observational comedy, part poignant ode-to-parenthood, Catastrophes is hard to describe, but easy to get lost in.’ – Nanci Nott, Artshub

‘Catastrophes is a succinct piece of theatre that is both sobering and uplifting, a gentle reminder that you are magnificent and worthy despite feeling like you may be falling short of an impossible standard.’ – Hannah Fredriksson, Theatre Travels

‘[what] Catastrophes does so well: it celebrates friendship, female friendship specifically. Catastrophes, as a metaphor for parenthood, is a beautiful mess.’ – Claire Trolio, Seesaw

In Catastrophes Renée Newman and Ella Hetherington are brutally honest friends juggling imminent global collapse, parenthood and failing bodies.

The leading Boorloo (Perth)-based theatre makers invite the audience into their shame-free friendship as they share intimate and often excruciating truths across one chaotic, yet hopeful, hour of confessions.

Curated from five years of the pair’s text messages and conversations, Catastrophes reminds us that though the world may be ending, we are not alone.