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This show belongs to the Adelaide Fringe 2026 season. This season is now over.

Helen O'Connor as the killer Susan Atkins rages murderously holding a knife
Helen O'Connor as Susan Atkins tells the audience a thing or two
Helen O'Connor as Susan Atkins leers evilly at the audience
Adelaide Fringe 2026

Partying with Manson

Written by Stephen Sewell
Starring Helen O’Connor

Directed by Kim Hardwick
Costume Design by Karla Urizar

A wild romp through the deranged mind of Susan Atkins, Charlie Manson and the Manson Family cult, 'Partying with Manson' is a horrifyingly hilarious descent into the wackadoodle craziness of modern America. With its razor-sharp wit presenting an unflinching account of the American Revolution gone wrong, 'Partying with Manson' presents a tour-de-force performance that will leave you breathless, thrilled and entertained.

★★★★★ “A masterpiece, meticulously crafted…and a virtuoso performance!” Glam Adelaide

★★★★★ "Acclaimed writer Stephen Sewell (The Boys, Animal Kingdom) transports the audience directly into the mindset of a cult disciple in this laugh-a-minute yet insightful and considered exploration of the Manson Family murders." Advertiser

★★★★★ "Sewell’s layered theatrical writing is devilishly well directed by Kim Hardwick … delivered by Helen O’Connor in a tour-de-force performance." David Jobling, Fifty+ SA

Hurry! 2 weeks only!

Presented by: The Manson Collective

The Manson Collective consists of actor, Helen O'Connor, famous for Crownies and Rake, legendary director Kim Hardwick and notorious writer Stephen Sewell, who came together to present this account of the life and times of the Manson Family in the belief that cults and their members are not only worth warning against, but make great theatre as well. Highly awarded for our solo work and deeply committed to the arts of theatre, we have brought together our collective experience to investigate one of the most appalling acts of cruelty and violence in America's long history of such acts and hope that as a result, you, like us, will find good reason to reject the claims of those many false prophets currently clamouring for our attention. The answer to hate is laughter, so here we are. Ready.
Theatre and Physical Theatre • Comedy
Australia

Suitability & warnings

Content rating: M
Target audience: High School (15-17)
Coarse Language: Occasional, Mild
Drug Use
Sexual References: Occasional, Mild
Depicts Violence: Occasional, Mild

Accessibility

 
High audio content
 
Audience members interact from the seated or standing area

Presenter

Presented by: The Manson Collective

The Manson Collective consists of actor, Helen O'Connor, famous for Crownies and Rake, legendary director Kim Hardwick and notorious writer Stephen Sewell, who came together to present this account of the life and times of the Manson Family in the belief that cults and their members are not only worth warning against, but make great theatre as well. Highly awarded for our solo work and deeply committed to the arts of theatre, we have brought together our collective experience to investigate one of the most appalling acts of cruelty and violence in America's long history of such acts and hope that as a result, you, like us, will find good reason to reject the claims of those many false prophets currently clamouring for our attention. The answer to hate is laughter, so here we are. Ready.