History of Violence
About This Event
History of Violence played the Dunstan Playhouse from 27 February to 2 March 2026 — a searing stage adaptation of Édouard Louis's bestselling autobiographical novel, presented as part of the Adelaide Festival 2026 program.
History of Violence brought one of the most talked-about European theatre pieces of recent years to Adelaide, with a limited Dunstan Playhouse season from 27 February to 2 March 2026 as part of the Adelaide Festival 2026 program.
Adapted from Édouard Louis's internationally acclaimed autobiographical novel, the production is a forensic unpacking of a single violent night — dissected, reframed and retold from multiple angles — that builds into a broader meditation on class, race, sexuality and the stories we tell to survive.
Confrontational, formally daring and precisely staged, this was theatre for audiences who wanted their festival programming to genuinely push. Performed in multiple languages with English surtitles where required, with post-show conversation events scheduled alongside select performances.
Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Festival Drive, Adelaide
Dates: 27 February – 2 March 2026
Presented by: Adelaide Festival 2026
Contains strong themes, depictions of violence and sexual assault, and language. Recommended for audiences 16+.
This production has now concluded. For more from Adelaide Festival, visit adelaidefestival.com.au.
