To my mind, a great piece of theatre is one where the cast and creative team are laid bare on stage, their emotional truth exposed for all to see. Rarely, however, is that taken quite as literally as in Naturism, Griffin Theatre’s daring new production.
It’s a production where the entire cast performs completely naked. Yes, you heard me right. Birthday suits. Full Monty. Sounds like fun, right? It is. Naturism is a liberating, deeply human, and often hilarious night of theatre.
At its core, Naturism is a meditation on humanity’s relationship with the natural world. It explores global warming, digital-age activism, and the generational divide that defines so many of today’s political conversations.
But it does all this with a wink. It’s a show that takes the work seriously, but not itself too seriously (my favourite). The nudity isn’t just a gimmick. The shock wears off after about fifteen minutes, and it becomes a metaphor for something greater. A return to something raw, something human and deeply connected to the natural world.
Nothing gets an audience onside like a cast totally in the nude. There’s this immediate collective sense of empathy and awe. Acting is already an act of exposure. You bare your soul, your insecurities, all dark and gritty. To do it literally unclothed adds a layer of vulnerability that is genuinely hard for me to conceive, and these performers handle it with both bravery and humour.
It’s a stellar lineup. From Australian greats to some of our most promising up-and-comers. It was a thrill to see Fraser Morrison again after Grief Is The Thing With Feathers. This was a totally different kind of show, maybe as far from Grief as you could possibly get, but he was just as compelling.
Camilla Ponte Alvarez brings a youthfulness and spontaneity to her role. Her comedic timing was bang on. Nicholas Brown, Glenn Hazeldine and Hannah Waterman we knew would not disappoint. Each are industry greats in their own right. But guys, not to be crass, they are so f**king funny. It was GREAT work across the board.
This truly is work that you just have to barrel into. No inhibitions. No fear. This is a cast that takes risks. Big, bold, unapologetic risks. And it pays off. The direction from Declan Greene is full of joy and energy. The clever use of physical comedy and little winks to the audience make everything feel alive.
The set, designed by James Browne, is spectacular. A floor of mulch beneath a bridge, framed by greenery. This, together with the lighting and sound design by Verity Hampson and David Bergman, manages to capture the grandeur and fragility of the natural world.
Without giving too much away, there’s a moment near the end where the set undergoes a massive transformation. It’s seamless, heartbreaking, and is the catalyst for the show’s emotional payoff.
Where Naturism fell down for me was in its social commentary. Early on, it breadcrumbs a really interesting conversation about the stark generational divide that, in this moment in time, feels more divisive than ever. Unfortunately, it never really digs deeper into that idea.
If anything, the dialogue becomes a bit reductive in places. As a Gen Z myself, I understand that the show is leaning into stereotypes to inject humour, but I was disappointed that it stays in this surface-level place for most of the show.
That said, this is a fun 80-minute joy ride. And I really do love Ang Collins’s playful approach to writing; they are one of Australia’s buzziest writers. I’m certainly excited to see how they will shock audiences next.
I really commend Griffin Theatre Company; they continue to bring experimental new Australian work to the stage. It’s my favourite kind of theatre, the kind that pushes the envelope and tries something experimental. It’s shaping up to be an exciting 2026 for Griffin, and Naturism is proof of exactly why their work matters.
Naturism is presented by Griffin Theatre Company in association with Sydney Theatre Company and runs to 15 November. Wharf 2 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company.
Tickets: https://welcome.griffintheatre.com.au/overview/4507
Website: https://griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on/naturism/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/griffintheatre/
Photo credits: Brett Boardman
