Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Conservation for non-conservators
2023-08-18 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
You Can’t Tell Anyone, A Ballarat National Theatre Production

August 23

@

6:00 pm

-

7:30 pm

$15 – $30

Minerva Space

I won’t tell, if you won’t.

Playwright: Joanna Richards

Directed by Ruby Abbott

You Can’t Tell Anyone is a philosophical thriller that examines the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Thanks to a game of Paranoia, this group of teens will never be the same again. No one is safe, not even the audience.

It’s the end of school and Gwen is throwing a party. After an emotional year, her friends are keen to spend the night drinking, playing games, and arguing about literally everything. But when a party game spirals out of control, long-held tensions start to strain and snap. Are the friends messing with each other? Or is there a bigger threat pounding at the door?

You Can’t Tell Anyone was commissioned and first produced by Canberra Youth Theatre, 10 August 2023 at the Canberra Theatre Centre, Courtyard Studio.

Directed by Ruby Abbott

Ruby is a local creative artist, working as an actor, director, and producer. Ruby has been involved in many productions in Ballarat and surrounds. She has performed several times with Ballarat National Theatre, including in Mr Bennet’s Bride (2022), Dust and Ruin (2023), A Date With Death (2024) and Dancing at Lughnasa (2024). Ruby has previously served as an assistant director for many productions, including The Haunted Theatre (2025), Sister Cities (2024), and The Servant of Two Masters (2021). Ruby directed God of Carnage for Ballarat National Theatre in 2026. “I am very excited to be bringing a youth centred play to Ballarat in 2026. Our town is exploding with young talent. I hope you’re there to witness it.”

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.

Get Tickets

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 PartnerFind out more about BMI Community Partnerships below.

Supporters & partners

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.

Daniel Connell - I'm Always Sore
2023-08-12 20:00 - 21:15 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society - While at War (Mientras dure la guerra)
2023-08-10 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Fanny Lumsden: Hey Dawn Tour - Ballarat
2023-07-29 19:00 - 23:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tours
2023-07-23 21:00 - 22:00, 2023-07-23 19:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Feltopia World Tour | Randy Feltface
2023-07-22 19:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society - Lake of Scars
2023-07-13 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute
2023-05-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Library Ground Floor, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Six Strings, One Heart | Australian Concert Tour: Spanish Guitar
2023-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Meet the Author | A. J. Lyndon
2023-07-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Be_ Hear/Now Live Music Festival | Cassells and Band: Folk & Verse
2023-07-02 18:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Meet the Author | Maya Linnell
2023-06-30 14:00 - 15:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Exploring the Path to Clean Energy with Alan Finkel (Ballarat)
2023-06-21 18:00 - 19:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Jock Serong | In Conversation
2023-06-14 18:30 - 20:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society - Pig
2023-06-08 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault
2023-06-05 10:30 - 14:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Salon Sessions: Melba Opera Trust | This event has now been CANCELLED.
2023-06-04 14:00 - 15:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Life Drawing in the Basement
2023-05-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-05-28 14:00 - 16:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Silent Film with Live Band | Buster Keaton in 'The General'
2023-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Living Heritage Exhibition
2023-05-28 11:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-27 11:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
