Belvoir’s Artistic Director Eamon Flack directs his own adaptation of Helen Garner’s novel. When Helen’s old friend, Nicola, comes to town for treatment, it makes sense she should stay in the spare room. Nicola has put her faith in a shady alternative cancer clinic. Helen is determined to be a supportive carer, but as the sleepless nights rack up, a short stay turns into a prolonged struggle. The Spare Room explores the complexities of friendship, care, frustration and hope. In exciting casting, Judy Davis plays Helen, with Elizabeth Alexander as Nicola. “It is, I think, very special to have Judy back on stage,” says Flack. “She is an electrifying actor and an electrifying storyteller and born to play this role.”

Limelight Editor’s Choice

When Helen’s old friend, Nicola, comes to town for treatment, it only makes sense she should stay in the spare room. Nicola has put her faith in a shady alternative cancer clinic, and Helen is determined to be her brilliant friend and carer no matter what. But as the sleepless nights rack up, a short stay in the spare room becomes a loving, maddening battle for life.