Safety Nets

10/03/2022

We made the paper!

10/03/2022

Another wonderful 4 star ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ review from Megan Koch at ArtsHub:

“Safety Nets tackles an issue both age-old and urgent. It demands that we interrogate longstanding systems and hold those in power to account, while also recognising that we each have a responsibility to challenge our own ideas about homelessness and inequality. The magic of the play is that it achieves this by capturing the details of one woman’s life, listening to her, and meeting her on her own terms.

The play is performed and directed by Sarah Butler and Jillian O’Dowd, and it is these women’s unique partnership that makes Safety Nets such an engaging experience. The range and depth of each actor is mesmerising.”

Read the full review here:

An important insight into homelessness and falling through the cracks.

09/03/2022

5 star review ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
in The Advertiser!

Only 4 shows left. Don’t miss it!

Sarah Butler and Jillian O’Dowd present a highly theatrical, thoughtful expression of what it means to be homeless.
Craig Cook
March 9, 2022 - 3:03PM
Safety Nets
Rating: *****
Studio at Bakehouse Theatre
Until March 12

Haunting, stirring and unmissable, this powerful new production will leave you truly comprehending there is no place like home.

Creators and performers Sarah Butler and Jillian O’Dowd present a highly theatrical and thoughtful expression of what it means to be homeless.

Both are billed as Ruby Tuesday, a woman in her 50s living in a derelict theatre squat in Sydney.

Ruby’s mum was Mick Jagger’s muse and inspiration for the Stones’ song – or maybe she was really an addled drug addict trapped in a cycle of poverty and abuse.

Butler is reminiscent of King Lear upon the heath, revealing Ruby’s inner turmoil and mounting madness raging at a world of injustice. O’Dowd is her lyrical, musical Fool, chiding and echoing her thoughts as much as a taunt as support. Both are brilliant.

As Jagger sings: “Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind – Ain’t life unkind?”

This play will make you laugh and cry but the creators urge us to act to “take what you need – and give what you can”. All donations go to the Hutt Street Centre.

08/03/2022

A wonderful review from Maria Vouis from WeekendNotes. Only 4 shows left. Don’t miss out!

“This work is brave, experimental and blisteringly involving. No social safety net for us to fall into: homelessness can happen to anyone, it is not a lack of character, is the unfailing message. The play's winding, enigmatic, non-chronological arc reflects the loss of self, the chaotic reality and the anxious, erratic existence of the unsheltered.
Robust acting from Butler, who breaks the social etiquette of safe distance with the audience from the start by talking directly at us, quality sound and vocals by O'Dowd, who sings some haunting, lullaby-like songs in a beautiful, bluesy, mezzo-soprano voice, underpinned by the challenging survival theme make this a play to put on your watch list.”

Read the full review here:

Enigmatic Entertaining Ruby Tuesday draws you into her stories and home in an old theatre squat, taking you on a poetical, political, musical ride to the other edge of

07/03/2022

What a wonderful warm opening night we had! Thanks to all who came and especially to those who were moved to donate to Hutt St Centre. Thank you so much Mike and Amy! The best part about those donations is that every dollar helps Hutt St Centre meet the needs of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in South Australia – with essential wellbeing services like meals and showers, connection to medical and health support and more. So please come and see our show and if you can, donate to Hutt St Centre using this QR code. Thank you!!

07/03/2022

our first review....thanks Spamalots!!

Spamalot Night cap - week 3, Monday night presents Safety Nets from the Bakehouse theatre. Powerfully story telling, incredible pair of lovely ladies doing it. Everyone needs a home. Not giving too much away but this IS great theatre. Go see it!

The ArtsLab

Enigmatic! Entertaining! Ruby Tuesday draws you into her stories and home in an old theatre squat, taking you on a poetical, political, musical ride to the other edge of town. It’s about luck, life on the precipice and the nets that fail - a two hander about the life of one incredible woman. Writ....

06/03/2022

This is a story, one story of truth, based on the stories of many. Homeless women over 50 are the fastest growing demographic of people who are without the security of a home where they can stay. The last federal government report on homelessness called The Road Home was in 2008. Almost fifteen years ago. There was a long list of recommendations, with the aim of reducing homelessness by half by 2020. Instead it has increased and we are still waiting. The current federal government has recently declined to commission an updated report and has cut funding to services.

We're raising funds for the 6,000 people experiencing homelessness in South Australia. Any funds donated through this link or QR code, will go to Hutt St Centre who have been supporting people for more than 65 years by providing a hearty meal, a hot shower, all in a safe, welcoming space.

Together we can help end homelessness.

Scan the QR code or go to: https://fundraise.huttstcentre.org.au/fundraisers/safetynets/safety-nets-at-bakehouse-theatre

04/03/2022

We made it to Adelaide from rain soaked Kangaroo Valley NSW! Through the rain and floods, walking out across a footbridge above a raging creek, with luggage and props in tow! The skies in Adelaide are blue as blue and we are so pleased to be here and to bring our small but important story to the Fringe. We nearly drowned getting here so please come and see our show!! Safety Nets 7-12 March 6pm

26/02/2022

This is a story about homelessness, the need for homes first, the need for a universal basic wage, the need for a whole new system for humanity. But it has beautiful songs and poems and stories and the magic and whimsy that one must hold in one's heart when the real world all gets too much.
Thank you for helping us tell this story...

25/02/2022

This play has been written and developed over many years, and has taken many forms through that process: from a multi-media extravaganza with a cast of several; to a one woman show; and now in the end, to where it was always meant to be... a two-hander. We are so excited to be finally giving birth to this baby at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2022. We hope to see you there!

SAFETY NETS is a new two-hander about one extraordinary woman. Written by Sarah Butler, with original songs and soundscape by Jillian O’Dowd.

20/01/2022