On the Ropes, written by Dan Giovannoni
When a private photo goes public, two sixteen-year-olds find themselves in freefall. What begins as a moment of impulse becomes a reckoning with power, trust and the long shadow of family violence. Inside a lawyer’s office their stories unfurl, tangled in questions of coercion, consent, and the fear of being defined by their worst mistake.
On the Ropes is a funny, fast-paced and compassionate exploration of the grey areas between right and wrong. A collaboration between Peninsula Community Legal Centre and Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, the play examines the role of the law and how violence reverberates through young lives, both online and off.
PCLC developed this theatre initiative to help young people understand their legal rights and responsibilities in situations involving family violence, coercive control, consent and online harm. On the Ropes is part of their youth legal education program, using storytelling to spark conversations about safety, healthy relationships, and knowing where to get help early. Read more about the project here.
Production history
Commissioned and first presented by Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, directed by Krystalla Pearce, 2025