This performance is presented as part of the VCA Master of Theatre (Writing) Festival 2025.

Life & Death of a Blow-Up Sex Doll

Written by Iris Joy Warren

In a world without women, Blow-up sex dolls have become the primary replacement for male companionship. When the dolls begin exhibiting "defects" and fear they will be abandoned for newer models, questions of autonomy, freedom, and humanity are posed as the dolls discover their new existence.

Content Note

This performance contains sexual references, misogyny, violence.

Runtime

This performance will run for approximately 60 minutes.

Performance schedule

Friday 14 November, 2PM
Saturday 15 November, 6PM

Credits

Director: Joshua Lynzaat
Dramaturg: Michael Honeyman

About the writer

Iris Warren (She/Her) is a playwright and performer from Broome, WA. A 2024 graduate of WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performance making, she has worked in various pieces of devised theatre and discovered her passion in playwriting with her debut play, FEMOID. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Theatre (Writing) at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, and is interested in creating political and female led work.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the VCA staff, Emily Sheehan, Chris Mead and especially Raimondo Cortese for their ongoing support and encouragement. To my collaborators, Michael and Josh, thank you for supporting my weird vision and for always encouraging me with talks of niche opera/inflatable arm men respectively. To my wonderful classmates, who all inspired me with their wonderful & shocking plays. And to girls, whose joy, rage, grief, and delight always make me want to write.
So much Love!

Ticket Price

Free. Registrations required on Humanitix.

Please note that there is often a drop-off in attendance at our free events on the day of the performance. If this event is booked out and you have not secured a ticket, we encourage you to arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the advertised start time and speak to our Front of House team. Once audience members with tickets have been seated, any remaining seats will be made available to patrons waiting at the door. Please be advised that entry without securing a ticket in advance cannot be guaranteed.

If you have booked for a performance and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking via your Humanitix account or email us at fineartsmusic-tickets@unimelb.edu.au.

Venue

This reading takes place in Studio 4, located in the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building which is accessible via paths in the Dodds Street Linear Park.
Please meet our friendly Front of House staff in the foyer on the ground floor of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building. Studio 4 is then accessible via the stairs or lift.

Read more about the Master of Theatre (Writing) graduates presenting this season.

Image: Don Shearman.

PARKING

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine.

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.
In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat.
Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.