Critically acclaimed one-woman show Overflow to make Melbourne debut

From internationally acclaimed writer and one of the UK’s most prominent trans voices Travis Alabanza comes Overflow, a hilarious and devastating exploration of women’s bathrooms, who is allowed in and who is kept out, making its Melbourne debut at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio from 31 January to 4 February 2024 as part of Midsumma Festival.

Travis Alabanza admits “club toilets have taught me more about sisterhood than any book.” Directed by Dino Dimitriadis and starring Janet Anderson, the Australian production made a history making debut last year at Darlinghurst Theatre with an all trans and gender-diverse team encompassing on stage and off-stage creatives, the first of its kind for Australian mainstage theatre.

Overflow is the story of Rosie, a young trans woman who is cornered into a flooding toilet cubicle. Determined not to be rescued again, Rosie distracts herself with memories of bathroom encounters, drunken heart-to-hearts by dirty sinks and friendships forged in front of crowded mirrors.

Director, Dino Dimitriadis:

It is a real privilege and joy to be sharing Overflow with Melbourne audiences.

Working with an all trans and gender diverse team deeply informs the texture of the work. It’s a production, though, for all audiences, of all ages and identities. Now more than ever, with trans lives politicised in the news, spending an hour in the bathroom with Rosie offers human insight through Travis Alabanza’s powerful and often hilarious script, and Janet Anderson’s knockout performance.

Dimitriadis’ recent directorial credits include Cleansed, Choir Boy, Sydney Theatre Award-winning Angels in America Parts I & II, Lady Tabouli and De Profundis with Paul Capsis.

The sole cast member: actor, writer and social activist Janet Anderson:

I cannot wait to bring Rosie’s ferocity to Melbourne, a place so familiar to wild nights out. It’s so rare to perform a piece of theatre that has the ability to stop an audience dead in their tracks and keep you thinking at every turn.

It was such a privilege to live in her raver-girl boots every night in Sydney and hold everyone in the palm of her manicured hand. Overflow is an unstoppable anthem of sisterhood, and the sanctuary that can hide in unlikely alliances. Rosie’s story is gonna be heard.

Overflow’s community engagement team have created experiences around the show with pop up activations and access opportunities taking place throughout the season. These include a quiet space, Auslan interpretation, audio description, tactile tour and a relaxed performance.

Ahead of Overflow’s Arts Centre Melbourne dates, the work will feature as part of Brisbane’s MELT Festival from 23 – 26 November 2023.

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Season Details

Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne| Fairfax Theatre
Date: 31 Jan – 4 Feb 2023

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