This week Holden Street Theatres’ second production for 2026 opens. Adam Rapp’s psychologically rich and emotionally compelling drama, The Sound Inside, will play for a limited season this August.
Widely regarded as one of the most significant contemporary plays of the last decade, the Tony Award-nominated play will captivate Holden Street audiences with its intimate exploration of storytelling, loneliness and the power of words this August.
Directed by Holden Street Theatres’ Director in Residence Nick Fagan, The Sound Inside stars two of South Australia’s leading theatrical talents: Michelle Nightingale and Benji Riggs.
The Sound Inside is a razor-sharp psychological thriller that unfolds with the elegance of a gripping novel. The intimate two-hander captures the unlikely connection between two desperately lonely souls: celebrated author and college professor Bella and the brilliant and volatile student Christopher. United by a love of words and books, they are drawn to each other.
As their connection deepens, Bella reveals a secret that forces them both toward an unthinkable decision. A masterclass in restrained, intelligent drama, this is theatre that slips under your skin—and stays there.
Benji Riggs spoke to Glam Adelaide about the production at Holden Street Theatre, his character and shared what drew him to be part of The Sound Inside.
“I love working with the director, Nick Fagan. I’ve worked with him before and love his taste in plays, so his interest is what really drew me to it. He sent over the script and I found it very intriguing. There was something deeper in the script that drew my attention and I knew I had to be involved with the production.”
Benji will play the role of Christopher Dunn in this production.
“Christopher is a Yale University student. He is an aspiring writer, who wants his work to matter. That’s his aspiration, that’s his goal, that’s what drives him. But he believes that the only way for him to matter is through creating a great work that impacts society at a greater level than what he is capable of. He can be quick to anger and he has this frustration that is born out of quite an interesting history as he’s growing up.”
Benji shared what it has been like working alongside the incredible Michelle Nightingale on this two person show.
“It has been great working with Michelle again. She’s always a pleasure to work with because she treats her work so seriously. She’s someone I constantly learn from when in the rehearsal room. It’s good to be in a rehearsal room with someone who is just a bit of fun at times and have a laugh with as well as work closely with to produce a great piece of theatre. She is fantastic at weaving the language that Adam Rapp uses in this play and the character that she is able to portray.”
Holden Street Theatres are known for bringing some incredible productions to their venue.
“I remember going to Holden Street Theatre for the first time to see a show during a Fringe Festival. I remember at the end of it sitting in awe of the impact a piece of theatre could have on me. I had never experienced anything like that before. I remember the same feeling after seeing Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Holden Street, directed by Peter Goers a few years ago. It’s such a profound experience to sit in a theatre and to be affected completely by these people on stage who are using language and physical movement to transport you. There is something incredibly special and unique to experiencing theatre, especially unseen productions like what Holden Street keeps bringing us.”
The Sound Inside is the perfect night at the theatre and promises to grip you like a great novel.
“There’s a lot to unpack in this play, especially on a surface level. You can tell it’s written by a novelist, but I think at its core, it’s about connection—connection in an isolated world. So for an audience what we’d like for them to take away is to either realize their connections or realize where they need more connection.”
The Sound Inside opens this week at Holden Street Theatres and runs until the end of August. Tickets are on sale now.
The Sound Inside
Holden Street Theatres
Previews: 11th & 12th August
Season: 13th – 29th August
Duration: 90 minutes (no interval)
Age Suitability: M (contains strong themes as well as strong language)
https://www.holdenstreettheatres.com/the-sound-inside
