Shows
A body of original Australian work
Essence Theatre Productions creates and presents original Australian theatre written by playwright and theatre‑maker Alaine Beek.
Across immersive, site‑specific works and contemporary stage productions, the Essence body of work is grounded in real stories, place and lived experience, developed through collaboration and presented in ways that bring audiences close to the story.
Current and returning productions
These are productions audiences can experience now, or that return regularly as part of the Essence Theatre program.
An immersive, after‑dark theatre experience inside
Werribee Park Mansion, inspired by the true stories of the Chirnside family.
A beautifully crafted period drama set in pre‑Federation Melbourne, exploring ambition, friendship and reinvention through the world of fashion.
Recent and touring works
These productions represent the evolving creative output of Essence — works that have been developed, presented and, in some cases, restaged and/or toured.
A deeply human story of resilience and connection, written by Alaine Beek and selected for the VCE Drama Playlist.
A powerful contemporary work inspired by true events inside Victoria’s justice system, created in collaboration with Ngā Mātai Pūrua Inc.
Other productions
Essence has developed a substantial catalogue of original work over more than two decades. These productions reflect the breadth of themes, forms and stories explored over time.
Point of No Return
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Written by Alaine Beek
Drama (occasional violence and strong language) Suitable 10+
Duration – 85 minutes
Cast – (5) all male (4 age 18-30, 1 age 40+)
Inspired by the true story of little known Point Puer boys' prison at Port Arthur, this gripping drama focusses on a group of young convicts who are trying to survive prison life. Point Puer was the British government's first ever attempt at any form of rehabilitation of young prisoners. In its short form, the play won major awards at the 2014 Playhouse Players National Playwrights competition.
Fully researched through archives at Port Arthur this fascinating story takes the audience on a riveting emotional journey.
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Point of No Return toured professionally Victoria 2016, 2018 in NSW 2019. It received rave reviews from the media, schools, venues and audiences.
Available for purchase here
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“Alaine Beek’s play manages to be historically responsible, educative, psychologically credible and entertaining to boot.”
~ The Australian
“Point of No Return is a naturalistic piece, an exceptionally well-made play, and Beek directs it like a screenplay”.
~ The Australian
“All the actors are set challenges, none more stratospheric than the guard’s scene with his mongrel dog. Phil Cameron-Smith’s performance has an eye-of-the-hurricane focus.“
~ The Australian
“Alex Roe was tremendous in the role of Bones, giving a compelling, grounded performance of a complicated man.”
~ Australian Arts Review
“Phil Cameron-Smith gave a brilliant performance as Hawkins, a dark, percussive character trying to survive as much as his charges are.”
~Australian Arts Review
“The actors deliver highly convincing performances in which the depth of their bond and affection is apparent. A play worth seeing.”
~ Antonia Kent, Pop Culture-y.com
“A powerful story. A totally enjoyable and sometimes confronting performance, I loved every moment.”
~ Nigel Sutton, Director, NDS Productions
“Every character’s journey through the drama is crafted with aplomb by Ms Beek to create a compelling, moving and sometimes humorous story that is a triumph of the human spirit.”
~ Andrew Blackman, Director, Complete Works Theatre Company
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Vivaldi’s Park
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Written by Alaine Beek and participants of the 2021 Say it Out Loud Youth Drama Program
Duration – 70 minutes
Cast – (8 – 13) varied ages M/F
Performances – yet to be performed. Planned for 2022A new play in development that centres around a park bench in ‘Vivaldi’s Park’. It is a
comedy-drama that uses non-naturalistic conventions. There is a character ‘Tree’ and
‘Bench’ who are the main characters unseen by the other characters. The play covers the
four seasons in a park. The stories overlap as different characters and groups interact with
the park – a homeless man, a dog, an immigrant family, and teenagers. The play is written
targeting youth (high schools). It could be a small play with only 8 (with a double up of some
roles) or 12 plus dancers and musicians used through the scene changes (performing to and/or playing Vivaldi’s ‘four seasons’.
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Shepherd Kings has been intensively researched, developed and was experienced by a test audience as a rehearsed reading in 2015 and 2021 with an overwhelmingly positive response.
To be performed again in 2023.
Was That a Bunyip?
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Written by – Alaine Beek
Duration 18 minutes
Cast (2) – M or F
A fun family comedy with a strong conservation message (suitable for all ages)
The show centres around Harry the Hunter who is protecting the historic woolshed from all
the wild animals (so he thinks). But, he doesn’t realise he’s in a zoo and Betty, the
bandicoot, educates him in an hilarious way, of her plight as an endangered species and the
detrimental effects of hunting. It’s educational but also fantastic fun!
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Commissioned by Werribee Open Range Zoo for the Wild Nights winter program in 2012 -
14 nights of back-to-back shows were performed outside the historic wool shed at the Zoo.
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‘The script, like the show, is brilliant’.
Tim Grech, Manager, Visitor Development and Learning for WORZ
‘The number of conservation messages and strong story line in the Bunyip performance ensured that this is a ‘sweet spot’ project and will no doubt increase awareness of the conservation work we do.’
Jenny Grey, CEO, Zoos Victoria
A Good Coffee
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Written by Alaine Beek
Duration – 10 minutes
Cast – 1F (early to mid 20s)
Drama - A short play about surviving an abusive relationship based on the author’s own experience as a young female.
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Selected as a new script to be in ArkFest playwrighting competition 2020. It won Judges Choice Best Production, People’s Choice Best Production, silver for Best actor, silver for best director.
In My Mother’s Words
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Written by Alaine Beek
Comedy Drama
Duration – 20minutes
Cast – (2) 1F, 1F/M
A short play based on the intricacies of a complicated mother-daughter/son relationship.
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Performed as part of the Wyndham Theatre Company’s Short Works Series, 2019
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“ In My Mothers Words written and directed by regular, Alaine Beek, is based on the playwright’s own relationship with her mother and has a very human and poignant quality to it. The play and performers move nicely through the emotions of frustration, annoyance, surrender and, finally, connection. The concluding moments are most heart-warming.”
~ Deborah Fabbro, Victoria Drama League 2019
Down to Earth
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Written by Alaine Beek
Immersive theatre - Comedy drama history and scary.
Duration – 90 minutes (including glass of wine at end of the show)
Cast – (2) 1M, 1F
This play was written specifically to be performed at the historic farm at Werribee Park. It is sent 1862 and is based on the history of the life of the farm workers who would have worked on the farm around that era. Visitors that experience this play are treated as new farm workers at Werribee Park farm. The two characters Joe and Esther take them through their paces moving around the farm, giving roles to some participants, but forever being wary of the terrifying Black Anny who haunts the farm.
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Performed regularly 2011 – 2019 at Werribee park