In the midst of Australia’s growing mental health crisis, a bold new theatre work is set to challenge the silence and stigma surrounding schizophrenia and psychosis. The Construct, a world premiere production by No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability, brings lived experience to the forefront through an authentic and powerful performance that seeks to open up long-overdue conversations. The Construct makes it premiere at Slingsby’s Hall of Possibility in Adelaide from 31 July to 3 August 2025.
Written by JW Smith and directed by Catherine Purling, The Construct is a deeply personal and confronting exploration of mental illness, identity, and perception.
With a compelling performance by actor Fig Kershaw, lighting design by Nic Mollison, and Set Design by Stewart Boag and Casey Van Sebille, the production immerses audiences in the internal landscapes of those often misunderstood, and frequently silenced, by society.
A mysterious room. Is it a sanctuary? An asylum? A prison? She must discover the secrets of The Construct because although the clock isn’t ticking, time is running out…
No Strings Artistic Director Paulo Castro said this project had been brewing for quite some time, but with the crisis Australia faces, the themes of The Construct were more topical than ever. He says:
“The timing is very fitting for this important new work and we are delighted that our Opening Night will celebrate Disability Pride Month in July. No Strings has been waiting for the right time to collaborate with JW Smith again and that
time is now.”
With D/deaf and disabled artists at its heart, The Construct offers not just representation, but revelation, bringing visibility to conditions that are too often hidden in the shadows. However, this work is neither autobiographical nor confessional.
The writing has elements that echo A Beautiful Mind and the writings of Kafka or Murakami. The audience comes to understand that the character’s world is not reality but is in fact the construct of a mind that is wrestling with psychosis.
No Strings Chief Executive Officer Kari Seeley said it was a work that speaks to the isolation created by mental illness. Isolation built by individuals desperate to conceal their truth, by a society eager to maintain an illusion of safety, or by a mind that is grappling with a reality that seems to be just beyond reach. She says:
“Disabled people must be part of shaping the public discourse on disability. Psychosis and schizophrenia are very real, and very misunderstood. Sensational headlines often shape public fear, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. But that’s not everyone’s story and that’s exactly why we must talk about it.”
In a world where more Australians are grappling with mental health challenges than ever before, The Construct gives voice to those rarely heard and shines a light on the unseen realities (and unrealities) faced by many.
This is not just a play, it’s a statement – a subversive and timely intervention into the national conversation on mental illness and it’s one that demands to be seen.
About No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability
No Strings is a professional theatre company that proudly works exclusively with disabled performers. Through bold and inclusive storytelling, No Strings challenges the barriers often associated with disability. Their collaborative productions celebrate the disability lens, not only in the themes they explore, but in the creative perspectives and lived experiences that shape them.
The company empowers performers through skills development, performance opportunities, and industry pathways that centre authentic voices and individual creativity. From the rehearsal room to the stage and beyond, No Strings holds space for disabled artists to grow, collaborate, and share their stories in ways that deeply move audiences and shift
perceptions.
The Construct runs from 31 July to 3 August at Slingsby’s Hall of Possibility, Rear Hall, 96 Glen Osmond Rd, Parkside SA 5063.
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1332896
Website: https://www.nostringsattached.org.au/
Socials: https://www.facebook.com/nsatheatre/
Photo credits: Alex Frayne
