Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with the talented team behind Dear Son, a deeply moving stage adaptation directed by Isaac Drandic. Prepare to be captivated by a blend of courageous storytelling and emotional depth as these letters flow beautifully on stage.
About Dear Son
What is this Production about?
The show Dear Son, is based on the book called Dear Son by Thomas Mayo. It’s a show that’s been adapted into a stage play written by John Harvey and Isaac Drandic, and directed by Isaac Drandic. Thomas Mayo invited 13 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander men, including himself, to write a letter to their sons and fathers.
In the show, we have 5 men, actors on stage and we bring these letters to life.
What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?
One of the challenges was making sure we honour all the letters in a theatrical structure of storytelling. They are so personal and powerful that we worked really hard to take care of and share the bravery of these courageous men and us creatives in production as fathers and sons. And through the whole process it’s been an honour to be a apart of and healing personally as a father and son.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
I’ve been apart of the first workshop and read the book and always wanted to work with Isaac as a director. We’ve worked together on Romeo & Juliet many moons ago hahaha, I think it was 2008 STC production as actors, but it was well overdue. And also, as an indigenous storyteller, I feel it’s my responsibility to be apart of this production when it was offered.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
They will be thinking about all the men in their lives.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
How much they are connected to these stories.
How is this production bringing something new to this story?
You will see 5 men on stage on a beautiful set having a yarn, and when I say yarn, I mean deep yarn. With the letters flowing through us.
Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and passion with us. Wishing you all the best as you bring the heartfelt stories of Dear Son to the stage, and may your performance move audiences far and wide. Break a leg!
Today, we shared a delightful conversation with Rose Vallen, the visionary director behind Adrift in New York, an endearing melodrama set to grace the Arts Theatre Adelaide. With its timeless narrative of family, resilience, and justice, this production is destined to be filled with vibrant performances, evocative tunes, and authentic 1890s charm. Join us to cheer, boo, and be utterly captivated as this classic story unfolds on stage!
About Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!
What is this Production about?
Adrift in New York is a classic late-19th-century melodrama that tells a story of lost family, moral tests, and redemption amid the perils of the big city. It includes Gay 1890’s music hall numbers and opportunities for the audience to Boo the villain, Cheer the hero and sigh for the Heroine.
What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?
The challenge for me and the actors is to balance sincerity and irony. To play the truth of the story without descending into parody. The performances must be emotionally honest, even when the situations are heightened. Keeping the lid on some of the Actors has been hilarious and challenging.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
I love Melodrama, I have performed in several over the years and they are always so much fun for the actors as well as the audience.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
If you love big-hearted, old-fashioned storytelling — where good triumphs over evil, emotions run high, and every twist leads to a gasp or a tear, performed by vibrant and eclectic bunch of actors who incite you to join in the action, sing-along to old time music hall numbers and have a lot of fun, this show is for you.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
Hopefully the audience will be still humming the music and chatting about their favourite character – was it the Villain, the Hero or the Heroine? But above all, they’ll leave with a sense of warmth — the pleasure of seeing virtue rewarded, love restored, and evil conquered by compassion.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
It swings from tears to thrills to moral redemption in minutes — a mix that feels both over-the-top and genuinely moving. The sheer earnestness of its melodrama can be startling (and even charming) to contemporary viewers used to irony.
Who has the best costume?
Definitely all of the ladies have fabulous costumes, think authentic 1890’s gorgeous frocks. Thank you so much Sandy Whitelaw for lending us these fabulous outfits.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Melodrama Returns to the Stage: Adrift in New York Opens at Arts Theatre Adelaide. The Rep is proud to present Adrift in New York, a classic melodrama written by Addison Aulger, directed by the acclaimed Rose Vallen.
Synopsis This heart-wrenching tale of fate, family, and resilience promises to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and fun theatrical flair. Set against the bustling backdrop of the Gay Nineties in New York and the deep south, Adrift in New York follows the journey of a young girl cast into the unforgiving streets, navigating hardship and hope in search of her lost family.
With villains to boo, heroes to cheer, and a story that tugs at the heartstrings, this production revives the golden age of melodrama with a fresh, local twist. And a good Melodrama often includes Music Hall-style acts to enhance the audience’s enjoyment and create a more exciting theatrical experience.
In this production, there will be well known songs and the amazing, hilarious spectacle of the famous Balloon Dance featuring the incomparable Lindy Le Cornu, who has made this artform her own! Join us for an unforgettable night of fun, laughs, drama, emotion, and theatrical tradition. Adrift in New York is a must-see, feel-good production.
Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and passion with us. Best of luck with Adrift in New York; may the cheers be thunderous, the boos be hearty, and the audience leave with hearts full of joy and melodies in their heads!
Today, we’re diving into the whimsical world of Monopoly: The Unauthorised Musical with its creator, Jasper Cruden. Described as a fantastical adventure with a touch of 80’s and 90’s nostalgia, this original musical promises a delightful journey with characters that leap straight out of your favourite games. So, grab your tokens and get ready for a tour through a reimagined board game universe that’s sure to captivate and entertain.
About Monopoly: The Unauthorised Musical
What is this Production about?
The journey of Monopoly: The Unauthorised Musical began in late 2021 when final year WAAPA composition student Jasper Cruden started thinking of clever ways to structure his graduating recital. In typical chaotic fashion, he crafted a simple but entertaining story about some of the player tokens from the classic game ‘Monopoly’ (Boot, Iron, Car, and Scottish Terrier) attempting to bring an explosive end to the rule of a tyrannical queen
Immediately following the success of that performance, Jasper and drummer Ian Tassicker began discussing ideas to further develop the project, with Ian taking on the bulk of the responsibility of re-working the existing story. The story was reshaped to expand the world and bring in characters from classic games such as Chess and Charades, and the human character Scott was added to give audiences a window into this fantastical world.
Join Scott on his unexpected adventure through a fantastical world inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and 80’s/90’s live action fantasy (‘The Princess Bride’, ‘Labyrinth’) as he meets the likes of the fierce but kindly Lady Luck, dramatic Sir Knight, verbose Miss Wordsmith, awkward Baron von Strategy, unpredictable Admiral Cannonblast, and the ruthless Mayfair.
What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?
I’m not playing one of the characters. I created them! I am playing drums in the band though.
Our characters include:
Scott – An uptight lawyer who is known in his town for being no fun at all. He goes on an unexpected journey in a very ‘Alice in Wonderland’ fashion and comes out the other side changed.
Lady Luck – A very hot/cold personality who switches between foul-mouthed aggression and sweet kindness. The leader of the group of heroes and the only one able to protect them from Mayfair. Avatar of cards and dice.
Miss Wordsmith – An overly verbose nerd who struggles to get the other characters to understand her. Avatar of word spelling games.
Sir Knight – A courageous but often overly dramatic warrior. Is compelled to deliver a soliloquy on death every time he sees a skull. Only walks in ‘L’ shapes. Avatar of Chess.
Baron von Strategy – A somewhat cowardly, awkward chap who suffers from the curse of no one ever having heard of his game: ’99 Gnomes That Know How to Knit’.
Admiral Cannonblast: A rambunctious pirate who acts as an agent of chaos among the group. Drinks homemade booze made from sea slugs. Avatar of games where you blindly guess where the opponents boats are and attempt to sink them via a grid reference.
Mayfair – The evil tyrant and antagonist of our story. Forces our heroes to play games for her amusement, and drags the losers away to be trapped forever as she attempts to cement her monopoly on power.
What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?
Bringing an entirely original idea into the world is always difficult, but especially so when it’s a full length musical! This project has been in development for 2 years, and it’s been countless hours of drafting, reading, then re-drafting scripts and music. We’re also learning how to function as producers and marketers as we go!
I’ve never been this busy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything at this point.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
Creating an original work that means something to people is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve also come away from every show I’ve ever played as a musician going ‘I think that script could have worked better if XYZ were changed’, and this is my chance to prove myself right.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
Anyone who is young at heart and finds joy in playing games! There’s something in this show for all ages, and we’ve got such a wide range of characters that everyone should find someone to root for.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
Personally, I hope they go home thinking about finally getting around to organising that games night they keep putting off!
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
Probably how professional it all looks and sounds! I think most people hear the words ‘Original Musical’ or ‘Debut Show’ and it sets off alarm bells about lower production values or aspects of the show being a bit under-cooked.
Our team is comprised entirely of people who are either in the professional space already or actively working towards entering it, so we’re executing at a high level.
How is this production bringing something new to this story?
The entire story is new, so I’ll answer instead by saying that we’re aiming to bring something new to the theatre scene in Perth, and ideally, the world.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Only that ticket sales are going pretty well, and we’re expecting a full house on opening night. Don’t miss your opportunity to be there for the premiere of something special!
Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?
Thank you for sharing the captivating journey of Monopoly: The Unauthorised Musical with us. Best wishes for a jam-packed opening night and a fantastical run! May the adventures of Scott and the other beloved characters bring joy and smiles to every corner of the theatre.
Buckle up for a wild ride into the zany underbelly of reality TV with Gabrielle Scawthorn’s latest show, The Edit at Belvoir 25a. We chatted with Gabrielle about this unique production that dives deep into the chaotic world of reality TV, where contestants and producers pull all sorts of crazy stunts to keep us glued to our screens. This show promises a rollercoaster of laughs, thrills, and yes, even some binge-eating chicken wings!
About The Edit by Gabrielle Scawthorn at Belvoir 25a
What is this Production about?
The production is about the wild world of reality Television. The truly absurd and terrifying contestants and producers and all the mental things they do to try to make us binge watch.
What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?
I play a character called Jess. She’s working on a reality TV show called “Match or Snatch”. Just like the Bachelor or Love Island, this show uses a team of experts to pair up contestants with their perfect match, but the catch is, contestants have to figure out who their perfect match in the Mansion is. The incredible Iolanthe plays Nia, a beautiful young contestant on the show.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
Well, firstly, I fell in love with the script. I laughed and cried reading it and had so many questions. And then the team who are making this show are amazing, it’s a group of people who I’ve had theatre crushes on for years, so I’m thrilled to finally be working with them.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
If you love reality television, you will love this show. If you hate reality television, you will love this show. If you love celebrities or love to hate them, you’ll love this show. If you like funny, fast, thrilling theatre, you will love this show. If you love to see two women binge eat chicken wings, you will love this show.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
Gabrielle Scawthorn’s script brings in her own experience with being on reality TV at seventeen (crazy) AND she’s also done so much research as part of her lauded podcast “Back from Reality” where she interviewed former reality television contestants about their experiences on reality TV and being in the limelight and also what it’s like to come out of these shows and back to your life. So she’s crafted something with all the insider gossip! All the shit you never hear about, behind the NDAs, behind the cameras. The underbelly of reality TV.
Who has the best costume?
Definitely, Iolanthe’s character “Nia”, she’s so stylish and her fits are sexy and ****y. Jess is basic in comparison.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
This is the last 25a show at Downstairs Belvoir for some time! After years of housing some of the best independent theatre shows, 25A is making space for Griffin Theatre in 2026. It’s an end of an era! Dom Mercer has programmed the best new theatre makers in this country, and the shows are totally unlike anything you see anywhere else, and they ALWAYS SELL OUT! So don’t sleep on tickets. $25 is THE cheapest theatre ticket in Sydney. CRIMINAL… or is it?
Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?
Thank you so much for your time and insights! Wishing you all the best for “The Edit” by Gabrielle Scawthorn at Belvoir 25a. We can’t wait to see the magic you bring to the stage! Cheers!
