Barking Gecko Arts is thrilled to announce the return of Angela Betzien's gripping play Hoods. This contemporary suburban story of survival and solidarity against the odds is sure to engage secondary school audiences and theatre enthusiasts alike.
In this modern reimagining of Hansel and Gretel, Hoods tells the story of three children left behind in a suburban car park. It's Friday night, the last day of school before Christmas. As Kyle and Jessie wait with their baby brother Troy for their mum to return, darkness descends, and the shopping centre shuts down. The car park morphs into a sinister landscape filled with strange characters, and the siblings confront growing fear and uncertainty as they realise their mum may not return.
This gritty suburban tale explores themes of marginalised youth, poverty, domestic violence, neglect, and resilience. Through the characters of Kyle and Jessie, audiences encounter the harsh realities that persist within our communities. The production fosters valuable opportunities for empathy, understanding, and discussion in educational settings while emphasising the strength and resourcefulness of young people confronting extraordinary challenges.
Andrea Gibbs is directing the production, and features recent graduates from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Joshua Everett as Kyle and Natasha Pearson as Jessie. In a special connection to the play's history, Andrea performed alongside current Barking Gecko Arts Artistic Director, Sam Longley, in the company's original 2009 production.
"Hoods represents an important step in our artistic programming. As someone who performed in the original production, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact this story can have on teenage audiences. By reviving this work, we're expanding our artistic scope beyond productions for younger children and pushing boundaries to address critical social issues that continue to affect vulnerable communities today." -- Sam Longley, Artistic Director, Barking Gecko Arts
The 2025 season will reach audiences throughout Western Australia, with performances planned at Subiaco Arts Centre, Don Russell Performing Arts Centre (Thornlie), Koorliny Arts Centre (Kwinana), Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, Red Earth Arts Precinct (Karratha), and Esperance Civic Centre. This extensive season across venues demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality theatrical experiences to young people across the state, including those in outer metropolitan and regional communities.
Originally commissioned by the Sydney Opera House and Regional Arts Victoria, Hoods won the 2007 Australian Writers' Guild AWGIE Award for Theatre for Young Audiences and the prestigious Richard Wherrett Award for Excellence in Playwriting. These accolades highlight the lasting quality and importance of this powerful work, making its revival particularly significant.
Hoods is an exceptional show for secondary school audiences, especially students studying English and/or Theatre, and is recommended as a Year 11 ATAR Drama text. The production will be offered to school groups through incursions and Barking Gecko Arts’ Schools Access Program, along with a special one-off general public performance at Subiaco Arts Centre on Friday, 23 May. For school bookings, please contact the Learning & Engagement team by emailing school.bookings@barkinggecko.com.au. For the general public performance, tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via the Barking Gecko Arts website at www.barkinggecko.com.au.
The 2025 season of Hoods is made possible by our partners: the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Woodside Energy, Quercus Group, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Keystart, City of Subiaco, Horizon Power, Telethon, Peter & Elizabeth Moore Family Foundation, and No Place for Poverty.
