The Cultch Presents

BATSHIT

Leah Shelton & Quiet RIOT (Australia)
Created by Leah Shelton
Directed by Ursula Martinez

A daring, poignant and darkly comic one-woman tour-de-force that rips the lid off the myths of female madness.

25/26 CULTCH PRESENTATION

WARRIOR FESTIVAL

Canadian Premiere

FEB 11–15, 2026
HISTORIC THEATRE

Runtime

Approximately 50 minutes with no intermission

Content Advisory

Recommended for ages 14+

This work references mental illness, institutionalised medical treatment, ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) and grief. It also contains occasional coarse language, sexual references, a moment of audience interaction, haze/smoke effects, loud noises, bright lighting flashes, strobe lighting effects, full blackout.

Venue Info

Historic Theatre
1895 Venables St,
Vancouver, BC

DIRECTIONS

Box Office Info

Phone:604-251-1363
Email: [email protected]

Summer Hours
Monday to Friday: 12–4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Open 1 hour prior to every show

Photo Credit:Joel Devereux

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About the show

Hysterical, hormonal, deluded, irrational …  Throughout history, women have been silenced, sidelined and pathologized by a simple label: “crazy”.

Batshit is a wildly theatrical, darkly comic, and deeply intimate reckoning with the myths and misconceptions of female madness.

A requiem for Leah’s grandmother Gwen, who was incarcerated for seeking independence in 1960s Australia, Batshit draws on personal stories, in-depth research and pop culture to unpack how psychiatry has been shaped by gender bias.

Created by Leah Shelton (AU) and directed by Olivier award-winning Ursula Martinez (UK), this one-woman tour-de-force tears apart the labels used to control and undermine women through razor-sharp wit, raw storytelling, and unflinching performance.

Warrior Festival Support

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The Draw

SHOW CREDITS

Produced by Leah Shelton & Quiet RIOT (Australia)

Creator / Performer:
Leah Shelton

Director:
Ursula Martinez

Writers:
Leah Shelton & Christine Shelton in collaboration with Ursula Martinez

Touring Co-Producer & Agent:
Linda Catalano (Quiet RIOT)

Sound Design:
Kenneth Lyons

Lighting Design:
Jason Glenwright

Costume Design:
Leah Shelton

Set Design:
Leah Shelton with Freddy Komp

Video: Grace Uther (video content) & Freddy Komp (live feed, projection, systems design)

Set & Lighting Construction:
Freddy Komp & Stephen Rowan

Scenic Arting:
Shaun Caulfield

Production and Stage Manager:
Freddy Komp

Conceptual Collaborators:
Lisa Fa’alafi & Daniel Evans

Dramaturgical Consultant:
Saffron Benner

Choreographic Consultant:
Kate Harman

Pre-recorded vocals by Naomi Price & Hugh Parker

Voiceovers by Christine Shelton & Leah Shelton

Reviews

TRAILER

SUPPORTed BY

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Developed with the assistance of Metro Arts & Vulcana.

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TICKET PRICES.

Section A+:
$49

Section A:
$44

Section B:
$39

Section C:
$29

Ways to Save.

Cultch Connects

The Cultch Connects Program provides complimentary tickets to community organizations and social service groups. It also offers complimentary tickets to individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to attending Cultch performances. To request Cultch Connects tickets, please email [email protected]

This program is made possible with the support of our generous donor community. Learn more about what your donation can do for our community.

Indigenous Pricing

Complimentary tickets are available for Indigenous patrons thanks to the support of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.

Use promo code INDIGENOUS to book up to two complimentary tickets. Those who wish to book tickets for a larger group or family can contact [email protected]

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25/26 SEASON

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