The deep, crimsoned decadence of the Folio bar was an aptly chosen venue for the Opening Night of THE BLOODY CHAMBER, essentially a one-woman performance based on Angela Carter’s retelling of the classic French folktale, ‘Bluebeard.’ Carter originally published her story in 1979, but Van Badham’s macabre stage adaptation is deliciously fresh, the perfect antidote to a cold and rainy Sydney evening.
With a confined corner stage, the minimal set design – a mirrored bedside table, wooden chair and a vase of lilies- blended seamlessly with the velvet chairs, cocktails and low lighting of the bar. Candelabras and antique keys blurred the space creating a sense of intimacy that ensured key performer Georgia Britt instantly had the audience’s full attention.
As the older narrator- bride, her white cotton nightie added perfectly to the ominous, gothic atmosphere as she recalled with giddiness the excitement she felt as a seventeen-year-old pianist, wooed by an older, wealthy Marquis. If you listenedclosely the red flags were all there, but Britt’s storytelling moved so deftly between childlike naivety and sultry provocateur, we barely noticed that while the unnamed narrator indulged in all the trappings of high society, it obscured her ability to see that she was about to become trapped herself. Her freshly widowed husband whisked her away, leaving her alone in his isolated castle, and as she becomes increasingly irritated, bored and curious she broke the one rule he established before leaving her alone.
As the tension rose, the audience held their breath, captivated by Britt, and her precision in commanding the room through voice and action, showing the restraint that had the audience hanging off every word. Lighting Designer Ali Bendall complemented the drama of the narrative, adding depth as shadows added to mystery of what lay in the bloody chamber.
This was a well-paced performance. With a run time of approximately 60 minutes and no interval, this performance packs a punch, and there is plenty to discuss with friends and a drink at the bar afterwards.
Content warnings: Coarse Language, Discussion of Sexual Violence, Sexual Themes
As part of the 2026 Sydney Fringe Festival, THE BLOODY CHAMBER is being performed at the Folio Bar, Miller’s Point NSW until 26 September 2026
Tickets can be purchased online: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-bloody-chamber/
