Evil Hour

Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

South Australia. 1850. Lillian Oliver has built her life on faith, obedience and the certainty that God has a plan. But when a young woman fleeing violence arrives at her door, the foundations of everything she believes begin to crack.

As forgotten histories resurface and strange forces gather around her, Lillian is drawn towards a hidden legacy of women’s knowledge, one whispered through generations but condemned as dangerous. With every revelation, the boundaries between the sacred and the supernatural begin to blur, forcing her to confront the truth about her marriage, her family and herself.

Evil Hour is a gripping new Australian gothic drama inspired by South Australian history and steeped in suspense. James Smith, best known for his work as an actor (The Dictionary of Lost Words, Jack Maggs and Euphoria), makes his State Theatre Company South Australia playwriting debut with a thrilling story where faith collides with fear, myth intertwines with memory, and women who were once silenced finally reclaim their voices.

CONTENT
Suitable for ages 15+

RUN TIME
60 mins (no interval)

Tickets are now on sale as part of a subscriptions package.

Package 4-6 Plays from our main season to access the best seats in the house, discounted ticket prices and exclusive benefits. Plus, get priority access and discounts for our Add-on show and SAPRK program.

Single tickets will be on sale in December.

Audio Described Performances and Pre-Show Briefing for blind and vision impaired patrons
Saturday, 17 July, 1.00pm (briefing), 2.00pm (performance)
Monday, 19 July, 5.30pm (briefing), 6.30pm (performance), with a post-show Q&A

Wheelchair access & Companion Cards
Wheelchair accessible seats, companion cards and other accessible bookings can be made via phone on 08 8415 5353 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm), or via email at tickets@statetheatrecompany.com.au.

Visit the Access page for more information on our Access Program.

Subscriber Briefing
2026 Subscribers are invited to join us for an exclusive Subscriber Briefing to learn more about the creation of the show.
– Monday, 5 July, 6.00pm

Post Show Q&As
We hold Q&As with our artists and creative teams so that you can ask questions about the production.
– Monday, 19 July
– Tuesday, 20 July

A Date with State
Supported by the Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card, join us for our 2027 A Date With State program, with pre-show tea and coffee before the performance and a post-show Q&A.
– Tuesday, 20 July, 10.00am (pre-show tea and coffee), 11.00am (performance)

State Theatre Company South Australia is offering one school performance as part of our season of Evil Hour.

School performances
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre

• Thursday 22 July 11:00am

Visit the State Educate resources page for the Study Guide and What to Expect.

Tickets are now on sale as part of a Teacher Subscription

Seating Plan

View the standard seating plan for the Space Theatre (please note, this plan may not reflect the seating which will be in place for this production). For more detail, please contact our Ticketing team on 08 8415 5353 or tickets@statetheatrecompany.com.au.

Venue Access

This show will be performed at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre.

The recommended Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre drop off zone is at the northern end of the Riverbank Footbridge on War Memorial Drive (walk across the Footbridge to Dunstan Playhouse) or at the Intercontinental Hotel (walk north between the Intercontinental Hotel and Railway Station along the lane way to the Riverbank). There is also a drop off area and two accessible car spaces on lower Festival Drive, accessible from the west via Montefiore Road.

Getting to the Venue

Adelaide Festival Centre is easily accessible by public transport, including the tram (stop at Railway Station), trains, buses and a free bus service that operates on a loop throughout the city and North Adelaide with stops on the corner of King William Road and North Terrace.

For more information visit www.adelaidemetro.com.au.

For information about parking visit the Adelaide Festival Centre website.

Dining Options

Malt Shovel Taphouse
Located at the Adelaide Festival Centre at the end of the Adelaide Oval footbridge
Open Wednesday 3pm-11pm and Thursday – Sunday 11.30am-late

The Strathmore Hotel
Located 5 minutes from the Dunstan Playhouse at 29 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Open 7 days, 11am – 3am