Housework

How’d I get so wise? I watched my dreams die. And then I kept going.

Kelly Sheppard, a naive but excited junior staffer in the Electorate Office of Ruth Mandour, a first-term Member of Parliament, unexpectedly gets the chance to travel to Canberra with the passionate MP she idolises and Ruth’s brilliant-but­ exhausted Chief of Staff, Anna Cooper. Anna’s juggling Ruth’s new policy launch, a husband who can’t deal with their kid in her absence and the type of muffins the Member requires for a meeting while Kelly’s over the moon to get behind the scenes at Parliament and to watch her hero in action. But getting what you want in the nation’s capital requires some fancy footwork. What they all experience in that week makes them question their ambitions, their ideals and the value of democracy itself.

A whip smart, gaspingly funny and incisive deep dive into the corridors of power with shades of Veep, The Thick of It and The Hollowmen, celebrated South Australian playwright Emily Steel (Euphoria) blows open the doors of Parliament House to unlock some devilish and dangerous truths in this bold new black comedy.

Two of Australia’s greatest comic actresses take to the stage in this thrilling world premiere – acclaimed actress and comedian Susie Youssef, star of The Project, Oeadloch and The Appleton Ladies Potato Race assumes the ministerial mantle while Emily Taheny, she of a thousand characters from Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, is set to juggle a plethora of political hot potatoes as Anna, with direction from State Theatre Company South Australia Artistic Associate Shannon Rush (Cathedral, The Puzzle).

Sex scandals, betrayals, culture wars, the price of power, motherhood and Machiavellian manipulation – it’s all in a day’s work inside the House.

CONTENT
Recommended for ages 16+. Coarse language, adult themes and sexual references.

RUN TIME
Approx. 1 hour and 55 mins (no interval). Subject to change.

State Theatre Company South Australia’s 2025 Subscription Packages are now on sale!

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 Stateside program.

Click here for information on how to Subscribe.

Single tickets will be available to purchase from 2 December 2024.

Audio Described Performances and Pre-Show Briefing for blind and vision impaired patrons
Saturday, 15 February, 1.00pm (briefing), 2.00pm (performance)
Monday, 17 February, 5.30pm (briefing), 6.30pm (performance), with a post-show Q&A

Captioned Performances for deaf and hard of hearing patrons
Wednesday, 19 February, 11.00am

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.

Tangent Talk
Get the story behind the story with our Tangent Talk series at the State Library of South Australia. Before you see the show, join us for a drink and panel discussion.
– Monday, 20 January, 5.30pm

Subscriber Briefing
2025 Subscribers are invited to join us for an exclusive Subscriber Briefing to learn more about the creation of the show.
– Monday, 3 February, 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, 17 February
– Wednesday, 19 October (matinee performance)

A Date with State
Supported by the Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card, join us for our 2024 A Date With State program, with pre-show tea and coffee before the performance and a post-show Q&A.
– Wednesday, 19 February, 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 Housework. Visit the State Educate resources page for the Study Guide and What to Expect.

School performances
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre

• Thursday 13 February 11.00am

Check performance availability here

Complete booking form here

Any enquiries should be directed to education@statetheatrecompany.com.au.

Venue Access

This show will be performed at the Dunstan Playhouse, 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 laneway 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 https://adelaidemetro.com.au/

For information about parking near the Adelaide Festival Centre, please click here.

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