Does your wife rock a side pony, sometimes give you the side eye, and sing Kate Bush in the shower? It might be time for an exorcism. 

Furious Mattress, presented by Legit Theatre Co. and written by Melissa Reeves, is a banging opening to Belvoir’s 25A season, with a sickening portrayal of religious insanity, fusing with a man’s intense hatred for his wife. Reeves has crafted a brilliant script based on the true story of Joan Vollmer; a woman whose husband ordered her an exorcism in rural Victoria in the 90s. It’s captivating, it’s disturbing and it’s impossible to look away. 

With every part of the show weaving together seamlessly, Furious Mattress is undoubtedly a testament to the team behind it and its director, Margaret Thanos. Matilda Ridgway’s performance as Else is particularly electric, sending chills through the audience, only to then swiftly have them in stitches.

The show presents a blistering commentary on the domestic violence and abuse that occurs in the name of religion. It centres on Pierce (Julian Garner), a man who hates his wife Else so much that he seeks out his neighbour, Anna (Alex Malone), and self-taught demon slayer, Max (Shan-Ree Tan), to tag team a violent exorcism. Pierce claims that Else is just 'not how she used to be’. Ever since she’s spoken up about him stealing her family’s money, and his inability to cook anything without burning it, she’s just become so difficult. What other option is there other than to expel the devil that has evidently consumed her?  

Thankfully, Max is more than qualified as he’s watched The Exorcist and has completed exorcisms on his mother and three ex-girlfriends — all who happened to be possessed by particularly ‘bitchy devils’. Else is left to decide how far she must go in entertaining their delusions to make it all stop. 

The show takes an absurd turn, leaving audiences unable to discern what is real and what is taking place in the deluded minds of the exorcists. The show feels otherworldly, and every stunt and illusion was astoundingly smooth thanks to the magic consultation of Harry Milas, and the stage management of Cris Chavez.  

Angelina Daniel’s set is suffocating and psychiatric with the walls and floor being made almost entirely of foamy mattresses. The characters sink deeper and deeper into the floor as they continue to lose touch with reality.  

The blend between Daniel Herten’s composition, reminiscent of Raffertie’s soundtrack for The Substance, and Cameron Smith’s unnerving sound design, has the audience increasingly hooked. Some of the most powerful moments are when sound and light collide to create a vivid and terrifying image of the exorcism, with the theatre shaking as lighting designer (Ryan McDonald) thrusts you into disconcerting flashes of light.  

Furious Mattress is a powerful exploration of the fear that men feel towards the feminine rage that threatens their power and control. It’s a war on the plague of eccentric women who seem to have misplaced their passive docility. 

Do not miss Furious Mattress — get your tickets now and prepare to be reborn.

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Production images by Robert Catto.