The 2001 movie, Das Experiment, was inspired by the Stanford Prison Experiment of 1971, where a group of students in California were hired to play prisoners and guards in a research lab.

Things spiralled out of control in real life and in the movie, when the guards began to enjoy their power too much and violence ensued.

The duo did some research and found out that the film was based on a novel called Black Box, written by German novelist Mario Giordano.

They tracked him down and got the performance rights from the author to create the play.

Girardi, 23, then adapted the novel into a script for the stage with the help of a translator. The world premiere of Das Experiment will be held at the unconventional venue of The Pavilion at Far East Square this Friday.

The 15-member cast includes actors Jonathan Lim, Rodney Oliveiro and Koey Foo.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times' Life!