The Debate
Presented by Holden Street Theatres Inc. & Martha Lott
Image: Nicholas Ely Designs
Feb 13 - March 22
The Arch
Origin: SA - New Australian Work - World Premiere
Genre: Theatre
From the multi-award-winning team behind GROUNDED ★★★★★ and THAT BOY ★★★★★ comes a bold, darkly funny new drama starring award-winning actor Martha Lott.
A mother sits waiting, filled with ambition and pride. Her daughter, exceptional, smart and the state’s top debater, is on the verge of national selection, a rivalry ignites that pushes motherly love to the edge. She understands the power of words; it's her job.
A campaign for success, personal ambition and political spin collide. A gripping exploration of control, morality, and the seductive power of persuasion — a mirror to our world of curated truths and competitive parenting.
Darkly comic, sharply intelligent, and heartbreakingly human, THE DEBATE asks: when every story can be spun, what chance does the truth really have?
Duration: 60min
Fri 13 - Sun 15 Feb: 7:30pm
Tue 17 Feb : 7:45pm
Wed 18 Feb: 11:30am
Wed 18 - 20 Feb: 7:45pm
Tue 24 - Fri 27 Feb: 7:45pm
Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 Mar: 6:15pm
Sat 7 - Sun 8 Mar: 3:15pm
Tue 10 - Fri 13 Mar: 7:45pm
Sat 14 Mar: 6:15pm
Sun 15 Mar: 1:45pm
Sun 15 Mar: 6:15pm
Tue 17 - Wed 18: 7:45pm
Thur 19 Mar: 6:15pm
Sat 21 Mar: 3:15pm
Sun 22 Mar: 6:15pm
Preview Price: $25.00
Full Price: $35.00
Concession: $28.00
Group (6+): $28.00
Schools Program: $15.00
BankSA Cardholder: $26.25 (Cap: 4)
Fringe Member: $17.50 (Cap: 6)
Early Bird (30% Discount): $24.50
Pass Holder Discount: $20.00 (Cap: 4)
Companion Card: $0.00
Fees and Charges apply
All seats are General Admission
Concession Criteria - Seniors Card, Govt. Issued Consession Cards
Content Rating: M
Audience: 15+
Coarse Language: Occasional, Mild
Other: Mental Health, High Audio Content
Holden Street Theatres
Holden 32-34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh, Kaurna Country
Step-free mobility aid access through the main entrance with an accessible bathroom.
Meet the Team
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Martha Lott
PLAYWRIGHT & PERFORMER
Martha is founder and Artistic Director of Holden Street Theatres and multi-award winning actress, producer and Director. Martha has appeared for State Theatre Company SA, local companies and Holden Street Theatres. She has written and performed her own work 'That Boy' to high critical acclaim and more recently starred in the 2025 Critics Circle Inc Award nominated ‘WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?” by Edward Albee, the highly celebrated production of 'LOOPED' by Matthew Lombardo as Tallulah Bankhead, ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman and A Cheery Soul by Patrick White. Her most recent film and television credits include ‘Minimise’ by Gemma Salamon, 'Storm Boy' and 'The Stranger'. Martha is currently writing two new works for the stage.
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Amelia Lott-Watson
PERFORMER
This is Amelia’s third production with Holden Street Theatres Inc. and her second production appearing live as she was the voice of the daughter in GROUNDED by George Brant.
Amelia has trained and performed with Actually Acting appearing in ‘Elf On The Shelf’, has trained with RMT management in Film studies and studies drama at school, and has appeared in various television commercials.
Amelia performed in the Australian Festival of music as a member of the Choir and has played piano for the past nine years.
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Nick Fagan
DIRECTOR
Adelaide-based director Nick Fagan is making waves across the city’s theatre scene. Known for his fearless choice of plays and his talent for mounting bold, emotionally charged ensemble work, Fagan brings large casts to life with clarity, heart and dynamism. From his acclaimed staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to his visceral production of Hand to God, he creates vibrant theatrical worlds that challenge, engage and elevate local actors. His direction is an invitation: to audiences who seek theatre that matters, and to performers who thrive on opportunity and exploration. As he continues to build his body of work, Nick is firmly on track to become one of South Australia’s most exciting emerging directors.
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Harry Ferguson
TECHNICIAN
REVIEWS
World Premiere - keep your eyes on this space for updates