Dead Man’s Cell Phone, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
Minerva Space
Dead Man’s Cell Phone is a surrealist play by Sarah Ruhl
Dead Man’s Cell Phone is about a woman named Jean who answers the ringing cell phone of a man who has just died at a cafe. She becomes entangled in his life, meeting his family and mistress, and in the process, begins to live her own life more fully. The play explores themes of life, death, connection, and the afterlife in a quirky and often fantastical way.
It is the journey of a woman forced to confront her presumptions about morality, redemption, and isolation in a technology obsessed society.
Directed by Benj Beatty
219. That’s how many unplayed voicemails I have.
One is from a man who died a day later. We never met but his ghost lives on my phone. It’s been a year and to listen now would seem like desecrating a grave. So it stays, hidden amongst the voices of the living. If I listened, would he know? If I left a message, what would I say?
Exploring this blurring of the lines between the heard and the unseen, how technology connects us as humans while robbing us of our humanity, is why I’m excited to be bringing Dead Man’s Cell Phone to BNT.
Benj is a local actor and director, and is also the current President of BNT. In 2026, he directed Checked Out at the Creswick Twelve Minute Play Festival, winning the Audience Choice for Best Play. Dead Man’s Cell Phone is his full length directorial debut.
Benj has been involved as an actor in multiple productions in Ballarat and surrounds with a variety of local theatre companies. He has performed several times with BNT, in Wyrd Sisters (2023), A Date With Death (2024), Dancing at Lughnasa (2024) and God of Carnage (2026).
Tickets: $30 adults, $25 Concession, $20.00 BNT members, $15 Children, Group package (10 adults), $18. Ticket sales close 1 hour prior to the performance.
A bar will operate for these sessions.
No allocated seating
Running Time: 90min Hours (no interval)
Doors open 30 minutes prior to show start time. Bar available.
Content warning: This play contains mature themes and scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers. It contains strong language, references to suicide and self-harm, sexual assault, and violence. Recommended for mature audiences only.
Ballarat National Theatre
Ballarat National Theatre are a BMI Community Partner
Find out more about BMI Community Partnerships below.
This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.
