A play to set your brain on fire
Presented by: The Holden Street Theatres Inc
Reviewed: 13 August 2026
Holden Street’s 2nd play in their 2026 season is The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp. Following the success of “Til the Stars Come Down, this extraordinary piece of writing exploring the challenges and consequences of decisions forced on the protagonists by circumstance, raises the bar yet again. The piece verges on, and uses the devices of, a really meaty Greek tragedy. Bella Baird, played with strength, insight and nuance by Michelle Nightingale, opens the play with a monologue that, as any Greek tragedy would, sets the scene and tone for 90 minutes of theatre that challenge relationships, morals, culpability, pain, and the art of writing.
A play that explores the art of writing, by two characters who are writers, who use words on paper to explore and develop their way through life, should not have the capacity to hold, direct and effortlessly move an audience. Some of the material is morally reprehensible but written in such a way that is neither offensive or dull. The writing sparkles. It creates environments, mood, questions and also gives us an insight into why writers write and love to talk and write about each other.
The relationship between Bella Baird (Michelle Nightingale) and Christopher Dunn (Benji Riggs) is brought to life with insight and challenge by these two talented individuals.
A two hander relies on chemistry. If you have two actors on stage talking with each other for 90 minutes, often reverting back to Nightingale’s character acting as the Greek chorus to move the story forward, raising the stakes with every new chess move injected into the plot by Rapp, not only does the script have to sparkle, so do the actors. Constant reference to Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment giving reference to the dark and dangerous subject matter of his writing allows Nightingale and Riggs to invest a dark truth and challenge into their teacher-student relationship. The truth of the text is brought out by the emotional truth and vocal dexterity of both these actors. Nightingale shines in the role of Bella and Riggs shows his versatility and dynamic capability, a little quiet at times, but his mastery of the character is eloquent.
I am disinclined to give a plot outline in my review, there are so many twists and turns in the text that take you by surprise, shock you into spontaneous laughter, threaten to tip you over the edge with the challenge of the relationship that develops between these two finely drawn characters. You should brave the final days of winter by treating yourself to some really good theatre at Holden Street. Nick Fagan continues to develop and present plays that send you home to ponder.
The set also designed by Nick Fagan is simple, effective and becomes the third actor in this play and Fagan’s design coupled with Heather Jones costumes that added to the authenticity of the characters. Martin Smith’s lighting design is elegant and enhances the journey with subtlety and Charlie Dippy operating lights and sound did a fine job.
So, in closing, book some tickets, wrap up warm, and treat yourself to a night out at Holden Street. This is another play new to Adelaide that is entertaining, beautifully written, directed with a fine and steady hand, performed by two very talented actors and guaranteed to leave you wiping away a tear before the curtain comes down.
Reviewed by Adrian Barnes
Photo credit: Leo Hiraga
Venue:Â The Studio at Holden Street Theatres
Season:Â 11 -29 August 2026
Duration:Â 90 minutes (plus interval)
Tickets:Â General Admission: $38 / Concession: $31.30 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://holdenstreettheatres.online.red61.com.au/event/890:32/
Warning: This production contains strong themes, references to suicide, as well as strong language and brief references to sexual encounters
