Lord of the Flies

It was just a game.. wasn't it?

When a plane crashes and a group of boys find themselves alone on a remote island, they begin to build order from the chaos with youthful optimism and a sense of adventure. They make rules, elect leaders, and imagine a world where fairness and cooperation will keep them safe.

But order is fragile.

What starts with hope quickly descends into rivalry, tests, and power struggles. Play turns to ritual. Loyalty becomes leverage. And in the absence of oversight and consequence, instincts begin to outweigh ideals.

In this fresh, highly physical staging of Nigel Williams' adaptation of Lord of the Flies, award-winning director Steven Mitchell Wright (MEDEA: Out of the Mouths of Babes, Ghosts) leads an ensemble of exceptional performers through a visceral retelling of William Golding's literary classic.

Running at Theatre Works for a limited season and playing as part of the 2026 By Theatre Works programming, this electric new season is a gripping, contemporary encounter with a timeless story. One that speaks to the world we live in now as urgently, if not more urgently, than when it was first written. Not to be missed.

Based in St Kilda, Theatre Works has been home to bold, independent theatre for more than 40 years. They give artists the space, support, and freedom to take risks, and audiences the chance to discover powerful new stories. Each year, they present dozens of productions across their three venues, created in partnership with some of the country's most exciting theatre makers, solidifying their reputation as a vital ecosystem for independent artists.

Other 2026 By Theatre Works productions include Australian Open, Savages, Beyond The Neck, Mara, Red Sky Morning, Lazarus, The Wolves, and Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Directed and Designed by Steven Mitchell Wright
Performed by Will Bastow, Oliver Cowen, Darcy Crawford, Oliver Gorringe, Sam Finn Gudgeon, Hugo Gutteridge, Sean Yuen Halley, Angus Leighton, Declan Magee, Alvin Prasad, Blaise Tindale, and Charlie Veitch
Lighting Design by Ben Hughes
Sound Design by Jack Burmeister
Stage Management by Jade Hibbert
Produced by Dianne Toulson for Theatre Works
Publicity by Sassy Red PR

18 September to 2 October 2026
Tues - Sat 7:30pm
Previews: Fri 18 and Sat 19 September 7:30pm
Opening Night: Tues 22 September 7:30pm

Duration: 120 minutes including interval
Age suitability: 15+
Warnings: Adult themes, violence, strong language, theatrical blood,
theatrical haze and smoke, partial nudity, loud and sudden noise, flashing and strobing lighting
Accessibility: Theatre Works is a wheelchair-accessible venue. A full-access guide will be available closer to the date

Tickets: $55 Full, $48 Concession, $40 Preview, $35 Tues (29 September only)
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au/2026/lord-of-the-flies
Venue: Theatre Works - 14 Acland Street, St Kilda