In an era, not far from our own, America has suffered a nuclear meltdown. There is no power and only a few survivors. But one unlikely family is destined for greatness. Matt Groening’s dysfunctional, animated characters the Simpsons are on their way to becoming post-apocalyptic mythical figures. A new religion. The gospel according to Bart.

Such is the hilariously audacious premise of Anne Washburn’s hit comedy Mr Burns, a Post-Electric Play, which premiered in Washington, DC in 2012 before moving to New York’s off-Broadway in 2013 and then London. Now, Imara Savage directs a co-production for State Theatre Company of South Australia and Belvoir with a cast including Mitchell Butel, Esther Hannaford and Brent Hill.

Savage has a fast-growing reputation as an inventive theatre and opera director. She is currently a Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company where she directs Moira Buffini’s Dinner in September, following The Testament of Mary in January and Hay Fever last year. Other credits include Philip Glass’s In the Penal Colony, Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave, and Elliott Gyger’s Fly Away Peter for Sydney Chamber Opera, and the Tom Waits/Robert Wilson version of Woyzeck for NIDA – experience, which will be invaluable here.