YEAR OF THE ROOSTER
by Olivia Dufault. Directed by Alexandra Aldrich. Designed by Dann Barber.
Performed by AYA, James Cerche, Natasha Herbert, Zachary Pidd & Jessica Stanley.
March 5th — 22nd 2026 at fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne.
PRODUCTION IMAGES & REVIEW QUOTES
Production images by Cameron Grant, Parenthesy
“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…★★★★” — Cameron Woodhead, The Age
“Yet again, Spinning Plates takes an allusive tale where an animal is a catalyst and pushes imagination and excess to an absurd limit…performances are so polished, so inventive, so on point that they are all incomparable” — Michael Brindley, Stage Whispers
“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…a knock-out” — Keith Gow, Theatre First
“You can see why they’re award-winning…the show’s performances and design are as impressive as ever” — Guy Webster, Limelight
“a show that leaves an indelible footprint…As for the performances, they are mighty – all of them” — Alex First, The Blurb
“another amazing independent Melbourne Theatre company who are developing and creating work that we wouldn't see anywhere else” — Anne-Marie Peard, 3rrr Smart Arts
“utterly unhinged” — Madeleine Swain, Arts Hub
“I'm so excited to see what Spinning Plates Co do next” — Gabi Goes to the Theatre
ABOUT THE SHOW
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.
FULL LIST OF 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
Design Assistant: Margaret Rose Tynan
Wig & Costume Maker: Alexandra Aldrich
Content Creator: Bridget Sweeney (Artistic Allsort)
Fight Choreographer: Scott Jackson
Promotional Photography by Sarah Clarke
Production Photography by Cameron Grant, Parenthesy
Produced by Spinning Plates Co.
By permission of ORiGiN™ Theatrical on behalf of Playscripts, Inc - A Concord Theatricals Company.