The Heart Beats in Counts of Eight by Madeleine Willshire

Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST, MSA) presents

The Heart Beats in Counts of Eight by Madeleine Willshire, directed by Esmé Stripp, Assisted by Ava Toon

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

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.

This bold debut from a team of exciting emerging artists strikes loud chords of resonance, whilst promising an electric theatrical experience.

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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 – Audience & crew N95 masks worn to protect our immunocompromised community)
• Thurs 22 October, 7:30pm (Post-Show Q&A)
• Fri 23 October, 7:30pm
• Sat 24 October, 5pm

Duration: 90 mins, plus interval

Venue: The MUST Space, Grnd Flr Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk, Monash University, Clayton (See pin on Google and Apple maps) and linked map

Tickets: $19 MSA Plus | $21 Conc. | $27 Full

Follow us: on Instagram and Facebook @musttheatre Linktree: linktr.ee/musttheatre

Enquiries via MUST, E: msa-must@monash.edu

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Content notes: Coarse language, implicit ableism, staged violence, gore, death/murder, body horror, and strobe lighting.

Age suitability: PGR

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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)

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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.

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