NO EXIT

by Jean-Paul Sartre

A play in one act, directed by Céline Oudin

A Mockingbird Too production

Venue: The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT 2617

Season: 15-18 April 2026 at the Mockingbird Studio

Three characters find themselves in the same room after their deaths. They are Garcin, a journalist,
Inez, a post-office clerk, and Estelle, a wealthy socialite. They do not know each other, come from
very different backgrounds, and share neither the same beliefs nor the same tastes.
In this room, a closed-door trial begins, in which each of the three characters judges and is judged on
the actions that make up their existence. Jean-Paul Sartre describes here ‘his hell’ in which there is
no torturer or instruments of physical torture: ‘hell is other people’.

This phrase, which earned Sartre the worst accusations, is simply based on the fact that life is ‘felt
and perceived’ through others; nothing is more valuable than the individuals who make us aware of
ourselves and of the reality of human existence, but who remain necessary for our fulfillment. The
three protagonists constantly struggle to escape their situation, but Hell ultimately prevails.

When I wrote No Exit, around 1943 and early 1944, I had three actor friends, and I wanted them to
perform in a play of mine without favoring any of them. In other words, I wanted them to stay
together on the stage for the whole time. Because I thought that if one of them left, he or she would
think that the others had better roles. So, I wanted to keep them together. And I thought to myself,
how can you put three people together without ever taking one of them out and keep them on stage
until the end, as if for eternity? That’s when I came up with the idea of putting them in hell and
making each of them the tormentor of the other two.
Jean-Paul Sartre

“…a phenomenon of the modern theatre” – The New Republic

Timeless, essential theatre. No Exit is one of those rare plays that demands to be seen and discussed again and again — it is a foundational text of modern drama, and with its mix of psychological intensity, bleak humour, and philosophical bite, this is both a dark comedy and a relentless moral mirror. When the lights go down, you’ll carry “Hell is other people” with you — and wonder how much you’re laughing… and how much you’re screaming.

From the Director:

When Jean-Paul Sartre wrote No Exit in 1943-44, Paris was under German occupation, and the circumstances were restrictive, hence the minimalist cast and setting that Sartre envisioned for No Exit, with a simple but radical idea: once the characters enter the room, they never leave. No exits, no distractions – only the relentless presence of one another.

This structural choice gives the play its enduring power: stripped of external action, No Exit becomes an intense exploration of human relationships – how we see ourselves, how we depend on others to define us, and how easily we become both captors and captives in one another’s gaze and thoughts.

Despite being one of Sartre’s most celebrated works, this production is only one of a few times No Exit has been staged in Canberra. It is also a very special occasion as 15 April marks 46 years since the passing of Jean-Paul Sartre.

I chose to place it in the 21st century – not to update it, but to reveal how little has changed. The need to be seen, to be desired, to be validated through the eyes of others remains as urgent, and as dangerous, as ever.

This production would not exist without the extraordinary people who have helped me bring it to life. To my actors: thank you for your trust, your courage, and your unwavering commitment throughout this journey. You embraced the demands of this play with passion and generosity, and it has been a privilege to work with you. My deepest gratitude goes to my assistant, Sophia Castello, for her tireless support and dedication at every stage of the process. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our producer, Chris Baldock, whose passion is both contagious and deeply inspiring, and whose guidance has been invaluable, to Steph Evans, whose thoughtful work as intimacy coordinator has been essential in creating a safe and respectful environment for the actors, to our light designer, Rhiley Winnett, for helping shape the atmosphere of the piece, to Shamus Moore, for the generous contribution of the mantlepiece, and to Ben Castle for creating the sculpture that inhabits this space.

Sartre’s “Hell is – other people” is not a rejection of others, but a warning. We exist through the eyes and thoughts of those around us, and sometimes, we become captive to their perspective. When their gaze and thoughts define us more than we define ourselves, it can feel like a prison – even when an exit remains, yet we are too frightened to take it.

– Céline Oudin

The performance will run for approximately 75 minutes with no interval

CAST:

Garcin – Eli Narev

Inez – Victoria Tyrell Dixon

Estelle – Phoebe Chua

The Valet – Peter Fock

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director – Céline Oudin

Assistant Director – Sophia Castello

Producer – Chris Baldock

Lighting Design – Rhiley Winnett and Céline Oudin

Sound & Projection Design – Céline Oudin

Set Design & Realisation – Céline Oudin & Chris Baldock

Stage Manager and Lighting, Sound & Projection Operation – Sophia Castello

Costumes – Céline Oudin

Props – Ben Castle, Shamus Moore and Céline Oudin

Intimacy coordination – Steph Evans

Publicity & Photography – Chris Baldock

FOR MOCKINGBIRD THEATRICS:

Artistic Director & Head Tutor – Chris Baldock

Technical Manager – Rhiley Winnett

Publicity, Graphics and Photography – Chris Baldock

Associate Directors – Zac Bridgman, Steph Evans, Céline Oudin

THANKS TO:

Anni, Christopher, Paul & the Belconnen Arts Centre staff, Nick Fuller & Canberra Daily, Helen Musa & CityNews

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Céline Oudin – DIRECTOR

Céline was born in France and has lived in Australia for 23 years. She worked in the film industry in France for
7 years (as producer’s assistant, director’s assistant, co-script writer, producer and director).

From 2010, Celine attended acting classes in Sydney, directed No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre in 2013, and co-
directed 2 comedy show projects in collaboration with author/director/producer David Perrin in 2014. After
moving to Canberra in 2020, she attended acting and directing classes run by Chris Baldock from Mockinbird
Theatrics. In 2024, she translated the French play 8 Femmes (8 Women) by Robert Thomas, which was then
produced and directed by Chris Baldock. In 2025, she directed 6 monologues from Snatches (Pig Life by E.V.
Crowe, Pritilata by Tanika Gupta, Multiples by Zonnie Harris, Reclaim The Night by Charlene James, Bovril
Pam by Vicky Jones and Compliance by Abi Morgan), which Chris Baldock produced.

Céline also acted in independent theatre productions, including 8 Women by Robert Thomas (directed by
Chris Baldock), No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre (directed by Glen Hamilton), Dead White Males by David
Williamson (directed by Gavin Vance), Corporate Vibes by David Williamson (directed by Glen Hamilton), Miss
Margarita by Roberto Athayde (directed by Jean-Yves Brignon), La Clinica written & directed by Carolina Diaz,
Théâtre sans Animaux/Tragédie Jean-Michel Ribes (directed by Jean-Yves Brignon), We are the Ghosts of the
Future by Verity Laughton (directed by Harriet Gillies), Le Faiseur by Honoré de Balzac (directed by Jean-Yves
Brignon).

Sophia Castello – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Sophia was born and raised in Canberra to Peruvian and German parents. She began her journey with Mockingbird Theatrics in 2021, initially joining classes to build confidence and work through anxiety. Since then, she has found not only a love for theatre but also a wonderful community (shout out to the Monday class!).

Her acting experience includes extra roles in the short films Till Undeath and They’re Ready For You, as well as Austin Series 2 for ABC. This production marks her first time stepping into the role of Assistant Director and her first experience assisting with sound, projection, and lighting operation. She is currently back at university studying law. Outside of theatre, she enjoys singing, reading, creating art, and playing video games.

At home, Sophia cares for a lively menagerie: two cats, three frogs, a lizard, and a snake.

Eli Narev – GARCIN