J. James-Moody’s adaptation of The Day of the Triffids finds inventive and surprising ways to bring John Wyndham’s classic novel to life in its world premiere at New Theatre.
What sets this production apart is that it is truly immersive, with the audience placed at the centre of the action. It’s worth getting to the theatre early to nab one of the on-stage seats. Moody explains: “The action takes place throughout the theatre and in unexpected places. There’s no audience participation but those close to the action will find themselves embroiled in it.”
The start of the show is quite chaotic. The theatre is plunged in and out of darkness, screams echo throughout the space and cries of emotional distress ring out. With cast members’ eyes covered, rushing across the stage and pulling at each other in distress, the show tips into horror.
Based on the 1951 novel by Wyndham, the story gradually unfolds to reveal that a freak cosmic event has blinded most of the world’s population. With human survival prioritised, society is forced to function in extraordinary ways. And through flashback sequences we learn that in an attempt to solve the world’s energy crisis, scientists have engineered the Triffids – bringing large, menacing plants to life. The Day of the Triffids examines humanity’s struggle for survival when catastrophic natural forces invade. Those unfamiliar with the science-fiction story may find the production a little hard to follow at times but given the novel spans six years, there’s a lot of context to squeeze into the two-hour show.
James Collins personifies the everyday man pushed to his limits as biologist Bill, while Umai Shantharajah gives Josella a compelling dynamism. Claudia Elbourne is endearing as young Susan and Natasha Todd brings a feisty, resilient edge to Coker. Max Ryan stands out as the unsettling Torrence — dressed in a bowler hat, his gleeful “Ding Dong” evokes disturbing memories of the thugs in A Clockwork Orange. The cast is further strengthened by Kate Mannix, Tony Llewellyn-Jones and Nathan Farrow.
Rather than pursuing a technological spectacle, Moody leans into the intimate theatre space, creating a minimalist set design of all black with few props and instead relying on lighting and audio to create the apocalyptic atmosphere—and it works.
The production’s true standouts are lighting designer Holly Nesbitt (Stage Kiss, Traffic Light Party) and sound designer Aubtin Namdar. Nesbitt drenches the stage in eerie green and blue hues, while Namdar amplifies sound to heighten fear in the audience, with popped balloons replacing gunfire. Cleverly, Moody never shows the terrifying plants. Instead, he uses Wyndham’s vivid descriptions and Namdar’s audio, which occurs throughout the theatre, to let audience imagination fill in the terrifying details.
More than 70 years after Wyndham’s novel was published, the story still feels relevant and perhaps even more plausible today. Moody reflects: “There’s a reason why this story has remained relevant for so long — and the relevancies have evolved over those decades. Oil shortages, warring nations and unreliable leadership poke through more strongly.”
Told with imagination, Moody’s immersive adaptation captures the tension of the novel and brings the audience directly into the story — enthralled, jumping in fear, and very much part of the action.
4 stars
The Day of the Triffids is playing at New Theatre in Newtown, Sydney until 25 July 2026.
Run Time: 2 hours (no interval)
For tickets visit New Theatre
Looking for a pre-show bite? Arre is located close by. For more suggestions, check out Bites & Sips.
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