MUST presents world premiere of The Heart Beats in Counts of Eight by Madeleine Willshire

Be human. Be synthetic. Be better. Realise your humanity.

The MUST Space October 15 - 24

At some point in the not too distant future, after a synthetic revolution, Lou, Jamie and Taxon scavenge to survive in a cramped apartment. They are functionally indistinguishable from humans, except for the restrictions written into their software. When someone tries to break in, their fragile peace fractures and Lou must learn to confront the problems of their world. Elsewhere, rogue organic engineer Calida runs a laboratory, determined to remake herself at any cost.

Drawing from genres like science fiction, dystopia, and body horror, with comedic touches woven throughout, the work is an exploration of what it means to be human, and what it is to exist in a society not built for you. It’s an allegory for the diversity of experiences of neurodivergence, and the many challenges faced by neurodivergent people.

As we hurtle towards an uncertain future, grappling with huge divergence in human experience and Artificial Intelligence developing faster than we can perceive, this bold debut from a team of exciting emerging artists
strikes loud chords of resonance, whilst promising an electric theatrical experience.

The Heart Beats in Counts of Eight by Madeleiene Willshire
Directed by Esmé Stripp, Assisted by Ava Toon
Season: 15 – 24 October 2026
Thurs 15 October, 7:30pm    |    Fri 16 October, 7:30pm (Sensory-Friendly Performance)
Sat 17 October, 7:30pm    |    Tues 20 October, 7:30pm    |   Wed 21 October, 7:30pm (Masked Night, audiences & crew maked to protect our immunocompromised community)   |
Thurs 22 October, 7:30pm (Post-Show Q&A)    |   Fri 23 October, 7:30pm    |    Sat 24 October, 5pm
(90 mins, plus interval)

Venue: The MUST Space, Grnd Flr Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk, Monash University, Clayton
Bookings: heartbeatsMUST.eventbrite.com.au

Tickets: MSA+ $19 | Conc. $21 | Full $27
Follow us: Instagram and Facebook @musttheatre | linktr.ee/musttheatre

Content notes: Coarse language, ableism, staged violence, gore, murder, body horror & strobe lighting.

Rating: PGR

Monash Uni Student Theatre, or MUST, is an engine room of creativity, a department of the MSA that creates vibrant, innovative theatre by, with and for Monash students and the wider community. “MUST, creates astonishing and powerful work that consistently punches way above its weight and acts as an incubator for some of our most important emerging theatre artists." (Australian Arts Review)

MUST and MSA acknowledge and pay respect to the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations, as the true custodians of the land upon which Monash University (Clayton) stands.