By Simon Stephens · Directed by Megan Dansie
SCROLL DOWN FOR PROGRAM
From the Director
Punk Rock is a play about violence, bullying, mental health and the vulnerabilities of feeling adult but not yet being one. Simon Stephens’ play may have been written in 2009, but the issues he raises and the characters he has written are still completely contemporary. I love his writing and sharp observations. The ultimate climax of the play aside, the pressures that the 17 year olds in the play are dealing with are ones in every school in Australia, as much as in the UK where it is set. They are at that stage where every decision is monumental, and where they feel that success or failure at school can ruin their life, or offer an escape from a stifling life. Stephens also explores in his words in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald "... the degree to which emotionally we are raising a culture of orphans....nobody believed in anything any more". He also explores the bubble of entitlement in which most of the characters exist. If any of the issues in the play cause you distress, please reach out for help. I have chosen to keep the original time and place of the play, mainly to honour the sharply observed social references.
I want to thank Deadset for giving me the opportunity to bring this play to Adelaide. I have wanted to work with this company and its young actors for some time. It has been a delight to work with this talented cast. They have bonded into a wonderful, high energy team. All the team involved have more that risen to every challenge along the way.
Production Team
Director: Megan Dansie
Stage Manager: Tony Stankiewicz
Assistant to the director: Brooke Hatton
Accent coach: Angela Short
Lighting Design: Fern Mines
Lighting/sound operation: Matilda Butler
Photos: Paul Butler
Poster Design: digital yarn
Cast
William Carlisle: James Pearce
Bennett Francis: Charlie Butler
Chadwick Meade: Archie Rowe
Lilly Cahill: Zoe Battersby
Cissy Franks: Laura Lines
Nicholas Chatman: Sebastian Hollingsworth
Tanya Gleason: Amelia Baldock
Dr Rachel Brook: Georgia Stockham
Lucy Francis: Brooke Hatton
Synopsis
Punk Rock delves into the volatile social dynamics and mounting pressures faced by seven Sixth-Formers as they prepare for their exams. Beneath the surface of academic ambition lies a world of anxiety, bullying, and simmering aggression. As tensions escalate, the play builds toward a harrowing climax. Punk Rock is a thought-provoking, unsettling, and brutally relevant exploration of adolescence on the edge.
Setting
The study library of the Sixth Form of a feepaying private grammar school in Stockport, near Manchester, England.
Scene One: October 6 8:31am
Scene Two: October 14 3:30pm
Scene Three: October 30 12:46pm
Scene Four: November 10 8:27am
Scene Five: November 10 4:38pm
Scene Six: November 11 8:57am
Scene Seven: December 24 11:50am
Amelia Baldock - Tanya
Finding her passion for all things acting during high school, Amelia began her theatre journey in 2019 with ‘The Wizard of Oz: Arena Spectacular’ in Adelaide. In 2023, she completed her Bachelor of Arts (Performing Arts) degree at UniSA. Her latest theatre credits include ‘War Letters’ as Katie (Deadset Theatre Company, 2023 - this show was also nominated for ‘Best Drama’ by the Theatre Association of South Australia), ‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ as the Femme Swing (Funk Soul Productions, 2025) and ‘Ravaged’ as Megan (Deadset Theatre Company, 2025). Amelia is very excited to be portraying Tanya in ‘Punk Rock’, and can’t wait for audiences to experience this powerful piece.
Zoe Battersby - Lilly While
Zoe’s childhood acting debut was as a banana in a fruit salad, she has since gone on to perform in various community theatre productions. Most recently, she played Young Esme in Blue Sky Theatre’s production of Arrivals and Departures; Brittany in Therry Theatre’s production of Mum’s Gift; and Poppy in Galleon Theatre Group’s production of Grow Up Grandad, for which she received the TASA Outstanding Youth Performer award. In 2024, Zoe independently directed and produced The Bear by Anton Chekhov as part of her Stage 1 SACE Drama studies and now hopes to pursue both performance and production roles in theatre. Zoe has deeply valued her time on Punk Rock, grateful for the skill and warmth of her castmates and for Megan Dansie’s masterful direction. This show, she believes, will delight and disturb audiences.
Charlie Butler - Bennett
Charlie first worked with Deadset Theatre Company back in 2019 on The Outsiders, and later in 2021 on Dark Wind Blowing, and is excited to be back for Punk Rock. Outside of theatre, he works as a Creative Director, running his own creative agency- digital yarn, producing video content, brand identities and digital strategies. While most of his work life is behind a camera or at a computer, he has always valued theatre as a creative outlet, and has enjoyed the challenge of exploring new ground in Punk Rock. He has found the process both confronting and rewarding, and is excited to be part of a show that speaks so strongly to the pressures and intensity of being young.
Brooke Hatton - Lucy
Brooke, is completing her year 12 work experience as Assistant to the Director for this production. She gained her interest for drama and performing arts early and has continued her passion throughout her whole high school career, most recently performing in her schools production of ‘the crucible’ as Mary Warren. She was invited to perform as Lucy giving her her first experience performing in Amateur theatre. Brooke is excited to have had such a great atmosphere to complete her Work experience and getting the chance to work among brilliant actors and an amazing director and crew.
Sebastian Hollingsworth - Nicholas
Sebastian has a deep passion for acting and the performing arts and a strong love for storytelling and bringing characters to life. He has been involved in theatre for 3 years, exploring various roles and genres. His journey has taken him from local theatre productions, to feature films, and short films, on beautiful kaurna land here in South Australia. He loves the energy of live audiences and aims to create memorable experiences through his passion that is his craft. He thanks you for coming along and supporting the performers in this awesome show of Punk Rock! He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he enjoyed making it!
Laura Lines - Cissy
Laura has been involved in theatre since she was five, with her highlight being Pelican Productions’ Chicago, in 2021. Her theatre credits include roles with theatre companies such as Pelican Productions, Wings2Fly Theatre and Adelaide Theatre Academy. Most recently playing the role of Lady Capulet in the Adelaide Youth Orchestras production of Romeo and Juliet. Now studying Psychology at the University of Adelaide, she has loved exploring these layered, challenging characters. Laura has loved working with Deadset Set Theatre company on this production of Punk Rock!, and can’t wait to see the audience reaction to this compelling show.
James Pearce - William
Infatuated with the arts from a young age, James has been an active performer in local theatre for over 10 years now. In recent years James has been seen as Dan in Eternity (Hills Youth Theatre) Baron Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Theatre Bugs) and most recently two successful seasons as Brett in Fountain Lakes: a Very foxy Parody Musical at the Adelaide Fringe (AK Creative). William Carlsile and Punk Rock as a whole is a new and exciting opportunity that James has taken to with passion and excitement which he is eager to share with an audience.
Archie Rowe - Chadwick
After starting theatre in high school Archie has since been exploring the broader SA community theatre world, and a bit of film along the w ay. His credits include playing Tybalt, Benvolio and Paris in the Fringe show Romeo and Juliet in 15 minutes (devised by Peter Goers), Jack Shannon in A Hard God (St Judes Players) and Joe in War Letters (Deadset Theatre Company - for which the show was nominated for TASA Best Drama). In film he has done some TVC work and various extra's work. He has also worked with the University of Adelaide and Flinders University in various medical roleplay positions. Archie is very excited to be apart of Punk Rock and explore his character of Chadwick Meade.
Georgia Stockham - Dr Brook
Georgia's highlights include Mrs Kendal in Adelaide Rep’s “The Elephant Man” for which she was nominated for a Curtain Call Award, The Baroness in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” for Northern Light, The Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” for the Hills Musical Company, Dawn in the critically acclaimed “Jerusalem” with Adelaide Uni Theatre Guild, Lenny in “Crimes of the Heart” for the Adelaide Repertory Theatre, Dolly in “One Man Two Guvnors” & Mrs Malaprop in “Jack and the Absolutes” Blue Sky Theatre and Laura in “The Glass Menagerie” for St Jude’s. Georgia is thrilled to join DTC in this production with such a talented young cast.
Content warning
Punk Rock contains themes of violence, sexual references, sudden loud noises and coarse language. If these themes are confronting, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone.
About Deadset Theatre Company
Deadset was founded to create real, meaningful pathways into theatre for young people. For many of our cast members, Deadset is their first experience beyond school — a place to take creative risks, discover their talents, and build lifelong friendships. Since 2017, more than 100 actors, writers, directors and theatre-makers have been part of the Deadset family. Watching them grow, pursue further study, and step onto bigger stages across Adelaide and beyond is at the heart of why we do what we do. We’re proud of where we’ve come from, and we’re excited about where we’re heading - championing bold, authentic storytelling and creating new opportunities for the next generation of South Australian theatre-makers.