Eat Slay Zombie | La Boite Theatre
Images: Dean Hanson Photography
Following its successful QPAC debut in late 2024, Alinta McGrady’s Eat Slay Zombie has made a massive comeback with a mainstage season at La Boite Theatre. Don’t let the title or the zombie masks fool you – this is far from a typical horror-comedy. McGrady brilliantly channels the chaotic framework of a zombie outbreak as a sharp, clever metaphor to deliver a powerful message about colonisation and First Nations survival in contemporary Australia.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Brisbane where TikTok is the primary tool for staying alive, the play centres on best mates Sharee and Tash. Operating under their handle @BlakBunkerBitches, the duo livestreams their survival tactics from inside an abandoned bowling alley. However, when a rival TikTok creator, Brendan, begins to steal their content, the friends are forced to leave their sanctuary and venture out into the ruins. This high-stakes journey transforms the literal wasteland into a fierce battleground for sovereignty, trust, and cultural ownership.
The performers brought incredible versatility to the stage, moving effortlessly from the fast-paced, quick-witted banter of the first half—like Sharee’s hilarious bond with her ‘Bully Beef’ and her line about wanting her land back—to a raw, vulnerable monologue from Brendan in the second half about his past where the comedy dropped away entirely and the performance became deeply grounding. This atmospheric shift was amplified by the staging; seeing phrases like "Aboriginal Lives Matter" written across the set design was incredibly striking. It peeled back the horror / sci-fi layers, forcing the audience to confront real-world political and cultural trauma rather than just fictional horror. Watching the characters navigate both the apocalypse and their own internal friction left a powerful, lasting reflection on the importance of community and collective healing.
Images: Dean Hanson Photography
A definitive highlight of the production for me was the masterful combination of multimedia and technical elements, which transformed the theatre into an immersive, cinematic experience. Nevin Howell’s AV design flawlessly incorporated the digital world directly into the physical space, seamlessly projecting live-streamed viral TikTok feeds and gaming graphics right onto the background screens. This tech-heavy framework beautifully elevated the atmosphere, particularly during the high-energy, meticulously choreographed dance and fight sequences. Backed by the pumping soundtrack and dynamic lighting, the stage erupted into a vibrant digital landscape during these scenes. My absolute favourite moment was the iconic ‘Bunnings warehouse’ sequence—a brilliant, gaming-inspired choreography that brilliantly blends physical stage combat with arcade-style graphics, serving as a standout triumph of technical execution.
I loved witnessing the sheer collective joy in the room; the audience wasn't just watching, they were actively part of the atmosphere—bursting into spontaneous clapping, singing along, and filling the room with laughter. There was even a lady in the back row with a wonderfully distinct, high-pitched belly laugh that echoed through the space the entire night, perfectly matching the show's vibrant spirit.
Yet, what makes this production truly matter is how it invites the audience to look beneath the surface. Ultimately, Eat Slay Zombie is a compelling story of community, friendship, and resilience, capturing how First Nations people have historically navigated and share this space today. This work stands as an excellent addition to the Australian First Nations’ theatre, offering a night that is entertaining while giving you something real to think about. It is absolutely worth checking out!
Eat Slay Zombie plays at La Boite Theatre from 14-30 May 2026
Images: Dean Hanson Photography
