You’ve run with the rhino, wrestled the croc, now prepare thyself… it’s time for the cock.
INTRODUCING PART III OF THE BEAST TRILOGY…
YEAR OF THE ROOSTER
by Olivia Dufault.
Directed by Alexandra Aldrich.
fortyfivedownstairs. March 5th — 22nd 2026.
“★★★★…It's unforgettable theatre and a savage, hideously stylish conclusion to a justly acclaimed project. I can't wait to find out what this company does next.”
— The Age
“Spinning Plates has a winner on their hands. Year of the Rooster is light on its feet, while spitting comical rejoinders and landing side-splitting blows. It’s silly, but it’s also a knock-out.”
— Theatre First
“Director Aldrich, her cast and her team weave together a seamless and coherent show in which every element – no matter how excessive, or how bizarre – works beautifully.”
— Stage Whispers
“There is no calling fowl on Year of the Rooster, for it is time to feather up and peck your way through the crowds to see a show that leaves an indelible footprint.”
— The Blurb
SYNOPSIS.
Spinning Plates Co. are back to bring The Beast Trilogy to its bloody, feathered conclusion following Green Room Award nominee Rhinoceros in 2024 and three time Green Room Winner The Crocodile in 2023.
Gil is a loser. He works at McDonalds and still lives with Mother. But that’s all about to change because Gil has an ace up his sleeve: the biggest, baddest barnyard bird the world has ever seen. When Odysseus Rex hits the local cockfighting ring, there’ll be hell to pay… ‘cause this is gunna be his year, goddamnit!
Olivia Dufault’s Year of the Rooster is an “astonishingly entertaining”, bizarrely comedic underdog story for our violent times. It’s Tennessee Williams but the rose-coloured glasses have been ripped off. It’s Homer’s Odyssey, set in the backstreets of Oklahoma. It’s beautiful and appalling, like a Happy Meal at 3am.
PRAISE FOR THE CROCODILE & RHINOCEROS
“★★★★½…every element of stagecraft merges with guillotine-sharp synergy”
- Cameron Woodhead, The Age
“★★★★½…everything about Spinning Plates Co’s The Crocodile works”
- Anna Hayes, Theatre Matters
“★★★★½…if you want to step through the looking glass into all the delights Melbourne theatre has to offer, you couldn’t find a better place to start”
- Vanessa Francesca, Arts Hub
“★★★★…a rampaging success…Spinning Plate Co has done it again”
— Arts Hub
“★★★★…pure comic pandemonium…an experience absolutely worth the ride”
“impeccable…a polished, professional, coruscating, very entertaining evening that speaks to our times now. See it.”
- Michael Brindley, Stage Whispers
“a wild mash of pantomime, burlesque, and meticulous ensemble work…pitch-perfect”
DATES, LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY.
March 5th — 22nd at 7:30pm (5pm on Sundays. No shows on Mondays)
Preview: 7:30pm Thursday March 5th | Opening Night: 7:30pm Friday March 6th
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000
The fortyfivedownstairs theatre is wheelchair accessible. Click here for further details. If you have other access requirements please get in touch with fortyfivedownstairs at boxoffice@fortyfivedownstairs.com or on +61 3 9662 9966 (office hours Tues-Fri 11-5pm).
DURATION & CONTENT WARNING.
The estimated running time is 105 minutes with an interval.
Year of the Rooster is a dark comedy that contains coarse language; adult themes; smoke, haze and loud noises; staged violence and death; absurd depictions of blood, gore and injections; artistic representations of (but no actual) nudity; references to ableism, animal cruelty, gambling, homophobia, misogyny, suicide and transphobia. No live animals are used during this performance.
Please contact Spinning Plates if you would like further info on anything included in the above content warning.
CREATIVES.
Written by Olivia Dufault
Directed by Alexandra Aldrich
Performed by AYA, James Cerché, Natasha Herbert, Zachary Pidd & Jessica Stanley
Set & Costume Designer: Dann Barber
Lighting Designer: Rachel Burke
Sound Designer: Ian Moorhead
Lighting Associate: Sam Martin
Costume Maker: Christie Milton
Stage Manager: Siena Bonnici
Assistant Stage Manager: AJ Woodward
Content Creator: Bridget Sweeney (Artistic Allsort)
Fight Choreographer: Scott Jackson
Promotional Photography by Sarah Clarke
Produced by Spinning Plates Co.
By permission of ORiGiN™ Theatrical on behalf of Playscripts, Inc - A Concord Theatricals Company.