Leah Shelton’s new work, Keep Sleeping, Beauty arrives in an era when violence against women, aggressive gender policing, and the underbelly of the ‘manosphere’ dominate our media.
Emerging stories of the Cornell University frat house investigation and subsequent judicial leniency for the perpetrators have once again brought to light the nature and scale of this issue. Similarly, the trial surrounding Gisele Pelicot also shocked the world by exposing the systematic abuse of an unconscious woman that unfolded over years.
Beyond these specific cases, investigative reporting has revealed widespread online communities where men share so-called ‘sleep content’ – sexual material featuring unconscious and non-consenting women – exposing how widespread the appetite for sexual violence disguised as entertainment has become.
Against this backdrop, artist Leah Shelton asks how has this nightmare scenario become a reality, and what do we do now?
For more than a decade, Shelton has developed a body of work examining women’s experiences of violence, power and control – and the ways women survive, resist and reclaim agency in their aftermath. Her internationally acclaimed work BATSHIT explored the pathologisation of women’s mental health; while ON HEAT confronted sexual politics in the #MeToo media landscape.
Keep Sleeping, Beauty uses the familiar fairytale to confront a new nightmare reality in its premiere season at Metro Arts. “I am creating this work because I am angry and shocked by the explosion of ‘sleep content’ online, featuring women who have been drugged (and more) without their consent,” said Shelton.
“I’m angry at the imbalances of power. Angry about the vilification of women, angry about the casual sexism, angry about the implied ownership of women’s bodies and the heteronormativity that is so entrenched in the ways that we interact with each other. And I want to create ways to have conversations about how we can change for the better.”
Keep Sleeping, Beauty combines that passionate investigation with Shelton’s signature theatricality, dark humour and high-camp performance art. Olivier Award-winning Director Ursula Martinez joins Shelton, continuing a creative partnership that has delivered world-touring performances (UK, USA, Canada); international awards (Edinburgh’s The Scotsman Fringe First Award; Mental Health Foundation Award); and local accolades (Matilda Awards: Best Independent Production, Best Actor in a Leading Role; Adelaide Fringe Innovation Award, Darwin Fringe Best Cabaret).
“Leah is one of Queensland’s most fearless contemporary performance artists. She asks difficult questions and transforms them into theatre that is sharply satirical, darkly humorous, and deeply riveting,” said Metro Arts CEO Kieran Swann.
“We’re proud to support another searing critique that confronts an urgent social issue with disarming humour, absurdity and high camp; opening up conversations about consent and power in a way that only Leah Shelton can.”
Following the premiere of Keep Sleeping Beauty at Metro Arts, as part of this year’s Melt Festival – a city-wide celebration of queer art and culture – an international tour is in the pipelines; taking this new Queensland work to audiences around the world.
Keep Sleeping, Beauty
New Benner Theatre – Metro Arts, Factory Lane, West Village, West End (Brisbane)
Season: 4 – 14 November 2026
Information and Bookings: www.metroarts.com.au
Image: Leah Shelton stars in Keep Sleeping, Beauty – photo by Joel Devereux