Day at The Beach

By Miranda Barrett

A human face partially buried in dark sand, with one eye, part of the eyebrow, and a nose visible.

“I saw this picture, years later, of how they used to grind grain down for bread. They had a donkey on a leash and they would lead it round to pull the millstone. That’s what I was. A dumb animal, bred on fear. All I had was fear."

Old Red Lion Theatre, October 2025
Chats Palace Arts Centre, October 2025

Alana’s finally moved – a new home bought with her own money, away from family and all that she knew. Now her life can truly begin.

Something’s wrong with her walls though; the debris beneath her feet is rising, and sand is starting to seep through the cracks. And what is that creature lurking in the corner?

A tangled tale of psychological horror, supernatural visitations, and sisterhood, Day at The Beach is an immersive theatrical experience that leaves the dark to the imagination.

An original, one-woman tour de force integrating physical theatre, ecoscenography, and surreal puppetry.

Performer: Isabella Hart
Writer / Producer: Miranda Barrett
Director: Rebecca Goh
Scenographer: Anna Seyerle
Scenic & Puppetry Design: Niki Agrios
Photography & Production Assistant: Charlie Nissim

Supported by Old Red Lion Theatre, GrimFest, and Chats Palace

Person lying on the floor surrounded by paper pieces, playing and throwing paper in the air, with a teddy bear nearby, in a dimly lit room.
Person standing on stage covered in paper, surrounded by scattered objects, illuminated by blue stage lighting, with a dark background.
A person standing on stage with arms raised, tossing shredded paper into the air, illuminated by two bright overhead lights, against a dark background.
Person in pajamas standing in a dark room facing a sculpture on a pedestal, surrounded by scattered papers and books.
A person sitting on the floor, squatting, covering their mouth with hands, surrounded by scattered paper or leaves, wearing peach-colored pajamas with a small pattern, with dark hair tied back with a red scrunchie, against a black background.
A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a pink patterned jacket, is crawling on a cluttered floor covered with crumpled paper and various objects, looking intently with a serious expression. There is a teddy bear, a bottle, an empty cup, and scatte
A woman in pink pajamas sitting on the floor amidst scattered papers and objects, in a dark room.
A woman on stage with a dark background, gesturing with one hand and holding her stomach with the other, wearing a pink and black outfit with a red hair accessory, appearing emotional.
Desk with a small chair, a blanket, and scattered papers and books, in a dark setting with minimal lighting.
A woman sitting on the floor amidst paper trash, reaching out with a frightened expression, surrounded by discarded bottles and packaging.
A woman with a red headscarf sitting on the floor surrounded by a printout and debris, holding a cigarette, in a dark room with black walls and metal bars in the background.
A woman dancing on stage with her arms raised, wearing a pink and black athletic outfit, against a dark background.
Person performing dance or theatrical art on stage, dark background, wearing pink pants and a pink jacket, with arms and hands expressive.

Reviews and Feedback

“Day at the Beach is a disturbing experience, destined to make the comfortable squirm in their seats. Strange things happen onstage as sand pours into the flat, flailing objects unbury themselves like marionettes and scrappy puppets built from crisp packets rise from the cardboard sea. [It] is a piece with great potential, full of sharp moments to jab at you amidst Miranda Barrett’s smooth soliloquy.”

- George Collins

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Director Rebecca Goh and playwright Miranda Barrett have created a fascinating tale of family connection gone wrong and explores the depths we go to find freedom from those who harm us… The final twist is fantastically alluded to but with nuance and powerful imagery. It’s a beautifully written psychological horror with fantastic detail and depth. Wonderfully crafted storytelling… If you want fantastic creeping psychological horror, witty lines and excellent actors then this is the show for you.”

- Cathie Mason, reviewer with Theatre and Tonic

“Mesmerising and brilliant… Had the pleasure of sitting on the stage yesterday and Bella gives a truly tour-de-force performance. It is a profound and nuanced play about families, sibling rivalry and the ties that bind and can destroy us.”

- Audience feedback