Four Letter Word Theatre

About Us

FOUR LETTER WORD THEATRE was founded in 2010 with the aim to produce contemporary works (or contemporary performances of works) primarily for young performers and audiences interested in the value of live performance, and the shock and effect that it can produce. Four Letter Word Theatre’s productions focus on the final product and the audience’s entertainment – after all, isn’t that why people go to the theatre?

Four Letter Word Theatre began with producing some of the works of the late 20th Century In-Yer-Face Theatre movement including David Hare’s The Blue Room (2010), Sarah Kane’s Phaedra’s Love (2010) and Patrick Marber’s Closer (2011). In 2012, Four Letter Word Theatre produced Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange and Alan Bennett’s The History Boys.

In 2011, Four Letter Word Theatre produced its first musical, NINE, which was nominated for “Best Supporting Actresses” (Holly Sharpe and Stephanie John) “Best Dancer” (Grant Buse) and “Best Supporting Actor” (Luke Bilotta) and was Commended for “Best Production”, “Best Direction” (Sara Tabitha Catchpole), “Best Musical Direction” (Trevor Maitland) and “Best Actor in a Leading Role” (Josiah Lulham) at the 2011 Victorian Music Theatre Guild Awards.

In 2015, Four Letter Word produced four new works as part of MUDFest Arts Festival. One of these works, The Nun and The Highwayman received the LaMama Explorations Award. Four Letter Word also received the award for Most Outstanding Production Award at the Union House Theatre Awards ceremony for their production of Angela Betzien’s The Dark Room.

In 2017, Four Letter Word Theatre produced five new works across the semesters and MUDFest, raising awareness on mental health, chronic illness, women’s experience and more. Apocalypse Tapes by James Macaronas won awards for Most Outstanding New Work in Mudfest and Most Outstanding Sound Design by Edwin Cheah. The award for Most Outstanding New Work in the regular UHT program was awarded to BABY. by Amy Spurgeon, Four Letter Word Theatre’s second semester production.

Beginning in 2022 with a fresh new committee, Four Letter Word Theatre is still committed to bringing you quality student productions with that FLW edge. With an increased focus on new works and access, we seek to produce provocative and accessible contemporary theatre, tackling challenging materials and realising up and coming talent.