A confrontational, award-winning play examining the menacing underbelly of Australian masculinity and mateship, Patricia Cornelius’ Savages is inspired by a real-life 2002 death aboard a cruise ship. What begins as a celebration among friends quickly spirals into chaos. Laughter turns to violence, loyalty twists into cruelty, and the pack takes control.

Under the provocative direction of Kitan Petkovski (The Inheritance), and with a powerhouse ensemble comprised of women and non-binary actors embodying “ordinary Aussie blokes”, this engrossing new production subverts gender norms and exposes the toxic undercurrent of power and privilege.

Unflinching, physical, and politically fierce, Savages is quintessential theatre by Australian playwright legend, Patricia Cornelius. Running for nine shows only at the Acland Street venue, Savages is running as part of the 2026 Theatre Works in-house season and promises to be an electric offering in the Melbourne Arts Calendar.