We were promised, “coarse language, adult themes and partial nudity” but we also got a funny, clever poignant play with two delightful young actors who I will follow with interest.
Charismatic duo Danielle Lim and Sam Lau maintain a charm offensive through the raw, yet moving, Bang on the Nerve by Van Badham
It is one play of six in the inaugural Goodwood Theatre & Studio’s Comeback Festival where audiences were encouraged to see two plays with a drink and dinner in between.
The staff at Goodwood were very welcoming and created a warm, comfortable space to linger before and after a show. The commitment to showcasing so many plays with local talent and independent theatre companies is to be applauded.
Danielle plays Elle, a disillusioned primary school teacher and best friend to Sam’s character, Louis, a musician working in hospitality. Because of their very believable, genuine friendship, they are each given a chance to develop their characters without romance or sex initially getting in the way.
Bang On The Nerve by Van Badham
A Modern Asian-Australian Adaptation
Proudly supported by CreateSA through the Government of South Australia
Presented by Goodwood Theatre & Studios
Directed by Valerie Berry
August 13-30, 2026
Goodwood Theatre & Studios, 166 Goodwood Road,Goodwood
The dialogue is dense and intelligent and performed with freshness and energy. Lim and Lau’s familiarity is evident as they punch home the many important ideas about gender politics, tensions and expectations in platonic and sexual relationships and career pressures with humour and clarity. This is all without ever becoming didactic or preachy.
This clear and nuanced delivery comes from Danielle and Sam working together for a year adapting Van Badham’s original play before they first performed it in 2024.
They have injected elements of their Asian/Australian background into the script, giving us a subtle insight into racism and added pressures in work and personal relationships.
The mood never settles into a rhythm; our sympathies are constantly changing and we are surprised by their behaviour. Sam’s guitar playing and silly songs change the pace and gives us welcome comic relief.
Elle is brutal at times, testing the boundaries and the limits of her power over Sam.
Sam is gentler but challenges Elle with insight that comes from knowing someone well and from understanding what it’s like to be an Aussie Asian.
There are some genuinely tender moments – a convincing romantic kiss and a heartfelt cry from Sam, where he pleads for some empathy for his broken heart rather than having to defend himself from Elle’s gender-politics attacks.
Will their friendship grow into a romantic relationship based on mutual respect and equality or will their first sexual encounter be their last?
I want to put my money on the former and hope for a sequel.
Running time, 55 mins.
– Vicki Arnold
But wait, there’s more!
The Goodwood Theatre & Studios COMEBACK festival
Billed as “a night of theatre, food and connections” we hope this event continues. It’s a great way of seeing two short plays in one session, discover talent, take a risk on lesser known works and stay for dinner if you choose that package. Importantly, it is a curated event and features plays which have already had a previous season.
“COMEBACK was born from a simple idea: if a production has moved audiences, sparked conversations and demonstrated artistic excellence, why should its journey end after a single season? This festival gives artists the support to return, grow and reach new audiences.” – Simone Avramidis, artistic director
THE AUTHOR – Van Badham
An Australian playwright, journalist, novelist, and political activist. She is a regular opinion columnist for The Guardian Australia.
The Questions, written by Badham (book and lyrics) and Richard Wise (music and lyrics) had its world premiere at the State Theatre Company of South Australia, in 2024 and directed by Mitchell Butel.
It was a joyful, witty rom-com musical about a disastrous first date. I hope it gets another season.
THE ACTORS – Sam Lau
Graduate of the Adelaide College of the Arts.
Sam Lau played keyboard and guitar and sang in The Questions. The band was integral to the action and added to the comedy and narrative with Badham and Wise’s clever lyrics.
Lau was also in Coldhands by Dora Abraham presented by Rumpus theatre in 2022. Coldhands was Winner of the 2020 Flinders University Young Playwrights Award.
He also performed in Does It Please You? at the Adelaide Fringe 2021 and 2022
His screen credits; Aftertaste for ABC TV and Anifex studio’s animation film The Better Angels.
DANIELLE LIM
Honours degree from the Flinders Drama Centre
Lim’s debut solo show, Caught In Between (2024–2025) explored her upbringing between Malaysia and Australia, winning an Adelaide Fringe weekly award.
The Good Decisions Project (2025): Her second multi-disciplinary solo work exploring mental health and decision-making, developed through an ActNow Theatre MakeSpace residency.
