Offshore Theatre returns to Berninneit

Following their previous sold-out season at Berninneit, Phillip Island’s multi-award-winning Offshore Theatre presents another outstanding Australian contemporary play – “Speaking in Tongues”.

Don’t miss this compelling piece of theatre at Berninneit in May.

“Speaking in Tongues”, written by Australian playwright, Andrew Bovell, is a powerful study of love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal.

It demonstrates the connection – and disconnection – between individuals, partners and communities.

Premiering in 1996 and winning an AWGIE award for Best Play of the Year, “Speaking in Tongues” was the basis for Bovell’s multi AFI award-winning 2001 film “Lantana”. Thirty years on, the play is as thrilling and mysterious as ever.

Two couples set out to betray their partners, a lover returns from the past and a husband doesn’t answer the phone.

A woman disappears and a neighbour is the prime subject. Contracts are broken between intimates and powerful bonds are formed between strangers.

The play’s focus is on marital infidelity, told through multiple narratives providing audiences with more than one view of an event and an opportunity to draw their own conclusions about why we do the things we do.

“It is a story that holds up today,” says Remi D’Agostin Offshore Theatre’s President.

“As always, we wanted to present something that would make our audiences think and question what happens to the people around us.

“When Melissa (our director) and I read the play, despite its age we knew this was our 2026 production at Berninneit and then we realised it would correspond with Offshore’s 30th Anniversary this year.”

To commemorate the play’s 30 years and Offshore’s 30th Anniversary, the company is offering a special opening night ticket price on Thursday May 14 and invites audiences to join them for a meet and greet.

“The bar will stay open after the show and we encourage anyone who has ever been involved in Offshore Theatre – whether on stage or behind the scenes – to come along on the Thursday, see the show and share their story with us,” said Remi.

The company is very excited to be presenting yet another brilliant Australian play at Phillip Island’s very own Berninneit.

“We can’t wait to be back at Berninneit for our 2026 season,” said Director Melissa McMillan who directed “My Sister Jill” in November 2024.

“The success of ‘My Sister Jill’ was so rewarding and being able to pack a theatre of that size for our little company was such a thrill.”

Offshore Theatre is run by a small committee of volunteers who have been brought together through a love of contemporary Australian drama.

They produce one show a year that will challenge and entertain the Bass Coast community.

This is a show not to be missed.

Offshore’s season of “Speaking in Tongues” opens on Thursday May 14 at 7.30pm.

The season will run till Sunday May 17 ending in a matinee at 2pm.

Tickets available at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1510172