Theatre

Shitbag

A one-person dark comedy about Crohn’s Disease, mania and casual sex.

$27.00
Sessions & Tickets
Hayley Edwards sits on an accessible toilet seat wearing a white hospital gown and holding a toilet roll with their shoulder revealed flirtatiously. The background is a purple-lavender colour.
Hayley Edwards crouches on an accessible toilet seat wearing a white hospital gown and holding a toilet roll that's spreading over the floor. The background is a purple-lavender colour.
Hayley Edwards reaches out for a toilet roll on the floor with a desperate expression. They wear a white hospital gown, the background is a purple-lavender colour and there's an accessible toilet seat in the background.

Image Credit: Nick Mick Pics

Hayley Edwards sits on an accessible toilet seat wearing a white hospital gown and holding a toilet roll with their shoulder revealed flirtatiously. The background is a purple-lavender colour.
Hayley Edwards crouches on an accessible toilet seat wearing a white hospital gown and holding a toilet roll that's spreading over the floor. The background is a purple-lavender colour.
Hayley Edwards reaches out for a toilet roll on the floor with a desperate expression. They wear a white hospital gown, the background is a purple-lavender colour and there's an accessible toilet seat in the background.

  • Created and Performed by: Hayley Edwards

  • In Association With: Tiny Table Reads

Why is it easier to talk about bowel disease than mental illness?

'Shitbag’ is non-binary and chronically ill actor Hayley Edwards’ debut solo show.

Influenced by the Fringe tradition of autobiographical plays such as ‘Fleabag’, this work delves into Crohn’s Disease, colostomy bags, mania and casual sex.

We follow a young queer person into the world of disability diagnosis, queer sex, group sex, morality, mortality, blood, shit, laughter and tears. Darkly comedic and life-affirming, this play reveals the invisible reality of chronic mental and physical health conditions.

‘Shitbag’ was selected for a staged reading at KXT’s Storyteller’s Festival in 2023 and was short-listed for programming at Belvoir’s 25A.

Hayley is so excited to stage it for the very first time. Woooot! Hooray for Shitbag!

This project received Cash for Equity through the Fringe Fund, as part of the Ralph Mclean Microgrants program.

About Tiny Table Reads

Hayley Edwards (they/she) is an actor and artist living on unceded Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung land.

They have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the VCA, where they were awarded the Irene Mitchell Award for excellence in acting. They went on to become a Graduate Actor with the Red Stitch Actors Theatre, where they worked on ‘The Amateurs’ (dir. Susie Dee) and ‘Shhhh’ (dir. Emma Valente).

Hayley has also worked on developments, readings and performances with most independent theatres in Naarm, at KXT and Darlinghurst Theatre Company in Sydney - ‘Let The Right One In’ (dir. Alex Berlage).

With a background in professional opera and music theatre, Hayley has also led in multiple short films, had cameos in screen series ‘The Clearing’ and ‘The Gruen Transfer’, is an audiobook narrator and now works for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

During the pandemic, Hayley started Tiny Table Reads, a small company that aimed to connect local emerging artists to develop and produce theatrical and filmic works.

‘Shitbag’ is their debut production and Hayley is thrilled to be joined by a multitude of wonderful collaborators and mentors.

  • Duration: 55 minutes

  • Event Accessibility: Blind or Low Vision Rating: Partially Accessible, Deaf or Hard of Hearing Rating: Partially Accessible

  • Age suitability: MA15+

  • Event warnings: Some Nudity, Strong Coarse Language.

  • Content warnings: Self Harm Or Suicide, Sexual Assault Or Abuse, Drug Use, Drug References, Alcohol Use, Queerphobia Or Homophobia, Sexual References, Death, Mental Health, Simulated Blood, Miscarriage, Abortion, Hospitalisation, Needles, Euthanasia, Disability Diagnosis, Cancer, Chronic Illness, Internalised Ableism, Diet Culture, Racism, War, Misogyny, Simulated Urine And Faeces..

Please find the updated Access Guide for Shitbag - HERE

Auslan Interpreter for Thurs, 3rd Oct - Scarlette Baccini

  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, from there head right to get to the Loading Dock. If you need step free access, there is lift at the front of the building and our team will be able to guide you from there to the Loading Dock. Once you're in the Loading Dock you can head straight through to the Victoria Street Building and up the stairs on your right. On the first floor the Evatt Room is on the far right side. If you need step free access, head out the northern doors of the Loading Dock and west towards the lift. Take the lift to the first floor and then head south past Solidarity Hall to the Victoria St Building. the Evatt room is on the right.

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information
  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, VIC, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, from there head right to get to the Loading Dock.If you need step-free access, head to the driveway located on the left-hand side of the main entrance on Lygon Street. The driveway will lead you into the courtyard. From the courtyard, there will be a lift on your right. Head to the first floor and turn left. Continue down the corridor, past Solidarity Hall and through the doors into the Victoria street building, Old Council Chmabers is on the left. Volunteers will be available along the route to assist you if needed. Please don't hesitate to ask for help

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information
  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, from there head right to get to the Loading Dock. If you need step-free access, head to the driveway located on the left-hand side of the main entrance on Lygon Street. The driveway will lead you into the courtyard. From the courtyard, continue straight through the loading dock and into the Victoria Street Building, where the Archive Room will be on your left.   Volunteers will be available along the route to assist you if needed. Please don't hesitate to ask for help

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

  • Full: $27.00

  • Hump Day Discount: $20.25

  • Extra Applause: $40.00

  • Blak Tix: $10.00

  • Concession: $24.00

  • Group 4+: $22.00

"Shitbag might genuinely be a vehicle to start a more comfortable discussion in public spheres about these illnesses. Hayley Edwards is a phenomenal writer (and) a born performer" - Lilithia Reviews, 2024

lilithia.net

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date Time Venue

Wednesday, 02 October 2024

9:45pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

Hump Day
 Past Event

Thursday, 03 October 2024

9:45pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

Selling Fast
 Past Event

Friday, 04 October 2024

9:45pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

Sold Out
 Past Event

Saturday, 05 October 2024

4:00pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

 Past Event

Saturday, 05 October 2024

9:45pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

 Past Event

Sunday, 06 October 2024

8:45pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room

Sold Out
 Past Event

Friday, 11 October 2024

8:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room

Sold Out
 Past Event

Saturday, 12 October 2024

8:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room

Sold Out
 Past Event

Sunday, 13 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room

Sold Out
 Past Event

Thursday, 17 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers

Sold Out
 Past Event

Friday, 18 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers

Sold Out
 Past Event