The Melbourne Fringe Festival is in full swing and the Motley Bauerhouse in Carlton plays host to the debut performance of Other Gods.
The lights brighten to a minimalistic stage, a small room as though the audience have been invited in to an intimate moment in time.
It’s here we meet Tom (Sorab Kaikobad), a priest who has sworn celibacy. Yet as the play unfolds we see Tom face his most soul searching moment when he meets the enchanting Marina ( Emily Kruse). Tom must face the most difficult choice in his life- his love for the Gods he worships, or his heart.
Other Gods is an intriguing story, one that is set in a mysterious place and time.
It explores the themes of conflict, love, religion and identity.
Whilst the actors all give heartfelt performances though, the story never really takes off. It feels as though we are invited into the story half way through and there are pieces of the puzzle missing. The religion that is mentioned is only half explained, the characters don’t have a strong story arc, and the concept just feels a little unfinished.
The minimal set design does let the audience focus on the dialogue, which is effective and the soft lighting gives a nice atmosphere. The intimacy of the room makes the performance seem like we are strangers invited into a world and a snapshot in time.
Where does this intriguing world fit into ours- the question is never really answered, we only get a glimpse. However we know that it’s mythical- as the worship of Gods is mentioned several times.
A quite entertaining play, Other Gods certainly raises some interesting questions, exploring themes of love, conflict and turmoil.
The cast give good performances, the dialogue is intellectual and are enjoyable. There are moments of humour with Asher Griffith-Jones as Ant giving a comedic performance, bringing lighthearted moments to the play.
Other Gods is a play that even with it’s unusual fantasy setting manages to explore themes of love and inner turmoil in a way that is pleasant to watch and it is interesting to be allowed into the fantasy world the characters inhabit.
What would happen if you were mistaken (by a hot guy, no less) for your recently deceased twin sister in the local Woollies, but fail to correct the mistake?
How do you navigate having to take guardianship of your young, orphaned nephew when you had other life plans?
Can we ever, even as adults, fully break free from the (often stifling) parent-child relationships we grew up with as children?
And perhaps most importantly: Should you EVER let a young child win at Uno if you have the power to beat them?
These are just some of the questions raised in Draw Two; a compellingly powerful and comedic one-woman show centred around Riley, a young 20-something year old woman dealing with some very big life challenges.
Riley has returned to her hometown in the aftermath of the death of her twin sister, Mia, to pack up her sister’s house, and take her now orphaned son, Lucas, back to Melbourne to live with her and her partner.
In this process, Riley has to deal with her stifling and often disapproving mother.
And there is the fateful encounter with a childhood friend of Mia’s (Kieren), who mistakes Riley for Mia…
Georgia McGinness takes the helm in this one-woman show, performing a poignant, often hilarious, and equally gut-wrenching narrative through the eyes of Riley.
Georgia masterfully depicts all of the characters coming in and out of Riley’s life, giving enchanting and moving performances.
This show really pulls at the heartstrings, exploring some big themes of navigating grief, family dynamics, personal relationships, and finding the small joys in times of darkness.
Georgia’s performances were honest and mesmerising; seamlessly transitioning between characters, and giving a real sense of relatable, Australian life, family dynamics, and the reality of the difficulties that life can unexpectedly throw at you.
While the set itself is quite simple, throughout the show, beautifully crafted animations were projected at various stages to give more life and depth to the narrative.
A full house and a standing ovation are two hallmarks of a crowd-pleasing show; and Draw Two was extremely well-deserved to receive both of these on the opening night of its run at Theatreworks in Melbourne this September.
Written by Meg McDonald and directed by Lauren Bennett, Draw Two is a perfect example of the sheer talent Australia is currently producing in the theatre space, and the entire team should be congratulated on a spectacular show.
This is not one to miss, with performances until the 27th of September at The Explosives Factory, Theatreworks, Melbourne.
Playwright & Co-Producer: Meg McDonald Director: Lauren Bennett Composer, Sound, & Voice Coach: Clare Hennessy Set & Costume Designer: Ishan Vivekanantham Visual Art Designer: Lauren Goodfellow Lighting Designer & Production/Stage Manager: Sam Gray Co-Producer: Ruby Busuttil Cast: Georgia McGinness
An extremely long time ago I first performed on stage as a tiny 4 year old in my birthplace of Warrnambool, so when a show came up to review in my home town, I gratefully took the opportunity and my Mum for an overnight stay. We had a wonderful weekend. Warrnambool (3.5hrs drive from Melbourne) is a fantastic place (voted Australia’s most liveable regional city) and I highlight if you include in your visit their art galleries and a theatre experience, it’s an awesome artsy destination.
MY BRILLIANT CAREER was showing at the Lighthouse Theatre by Warrnambool Theatre Company, and what a company! A cast of 28 were hugely talented and entertaining. I did have a few favourites by the end of the show, their characters so enriched the play with warmth and laughter, but I could say a million positive things about everyone in the cast, truly; all amazing, worked so well together and I hope you had the best time putting on this show, because we had the best time watching it.
Great use of an inventive set design and sound/lighting throughout the show. The ‘horse and buggy’ travel adaption, very clever! The walk-on walk-off gum trees rather than still props made change of whereabouts quick and un-interrupting to the story being told. The giant book in the background where topics scribbled across digitally invited us to continue enjoying each chapter and the true sounds of the Australian bush playing as we were transported back in time was so lovely to hear.
Mia Copland playing ‘Sybylla’ is second to none I’ve seen play this role before. It’s hard to imagine that she is anything but strong willed and confident in her everyday life too; on stage Mia is full of her character tenfold. Her lead script is unforgiving and she is on stage constantly. I applaud her every word, every mannerism, action, stride and scream. She spoke with articulation of a versed poet. Standing out was her vociferation on living in Possum Gully – being a part of a family down on their luck. Sybylla, as oldest child, will remain responsible to help her family when needed. Will she succumb?
Though Sybylla’s society grandmother takes her in for a period, and a rich man shows interest in her; they are feelings of which Sybylla may be unsure whether to reciprocate. Amid the advancement of ‘Harry’ played charmingly by Elliot Cooper, there will be a call of ‘duty’ for Sybylla to repay a debt of her father’s. I could feel Sybylla’s pain as Mia brought that to the audience in devastative prospect on returning to a monotonous torturous life Sybylla thought she had managed to leave. A life where there seemed no future to do as she wished, where no one cared of her ambitions; a life where she may survive, but not thrive. A life of no career, excepting carrying babies and hopefully not dying in childbirth.
Lucy played by Angela Verspay, was a mother dealing with all the usual things a mother does and more. The baby ‘blanket’ appearing took a serious situation into comical laughter (my second time to witness labour in action on stage haha but the first blanket pulled out – who thought of that – different!). Finally, when Lucy played piano at the end, such action said 1000 words and I felt a magic moment of communication between mother and daughter, well done!
I loved Grannie Bossier played by Kate Head, delivery of her character was precise, as was Hannh Bellamy as Aunt Helen. Noteworthy were their interactions with each other. Little extra details in theatre help make every scene believable. It might be just an eyebrow raised, shoulder shrug or a glance away, a certain non-verbal tone used; things we may not consciously always notice, but subtleties that make dialogue come to life.
The character of Uncle Jay-Jay was funny and featured in Sybylla’s stint at her grandmother’s, played by Jeremy Lee – quintessential to his better life – bravo, he was my favourite! I laughed long after he delivered his line of ‘what on earth would I do in the kitchen, I don’t even know where it is’ – I daresay that would have been true for many a wealthier early-century gentleman.
Gertie played by Amelia Dumesny was a breath of fresh air in her acting, I felt she really did play opposite Sybylla beautifully in giving to her family and showing genuine sisterly love for Sybylla. Brother Horace played by Oberon Rothman also gave a compelling speech to Sybylla, and their father Richard played by Michael Hoffman was exactly rightly cast to be both a positive and negative influence on his family.
The family of Mr McSwat played by the hilarious Lachlan Turner were all excellent! Lachlan’s exaggerated persona worked his role on par as any professional (my Mum loved his antics). Little Arto playing ‘Jimmy’ was a cutie, as were Paddy and Lilibet playing cheeky ‘Tommy’ and ‘Katie’. Vivienne and Hannah playing ‘Maggie’ and ‘Rose-Jane’ were eagerly switched on in being naughty, and Ruby Nelson playing Lizer was exceptional – I noticed her in the clan even before her role took on a feature in the script. Mrs McSwat played by Anja Harley had a fantastic accent of country Aussie bush life and Alex Smith playing Peter (also taking a shine to Sybylla) was fun in his quiet shy way. We loved this rough and tumble family.
Worth mentioning too is that this play is derived from a semi-autobiographical book written more than a 100 years ago by Stella “Miles” Franklin. I wonder what Miles would think of today’s world where women can be anything they desire in majority of countries, but not all, as somewhere in the world today there are women who still live in cultures and environments struggling to be heard and educated for a better existence, the world for them today is not dissimilar to that of Sybylla’s.
MY BRILLIANT CAREER is a triumph of writing and taking that written work of yesteryear to the stage today is quite an achievement. Congratulations to Producers Penny McLeod and Matt Baker, Director Lisa Graham, Assistant Director Flo Roney, Stage Manager Warren Easley, Set Designers Claire Norman & Lyle Russell, Lighting Design Tegan Evans and all the creative team – an example of exemplary regional community theatre working at its best!
I thoroughly encourage others make the drive from surrounding areas for the Warrnambool Theatre Company’s next show ‘& JULIET’ playing 3-10 January 2026. If you live locally – go see everything this company produces – what a treat to have your theatre easy to get to, easy to park at, restaurants close walk and great bar service at interval. Not things we always get queuing up in Melbourne. Accommodation for anyone living further away too is affordable with plenty of choices.
Ticket and information link: https://www.warrnambooltheatrecompany.com/
Are You There is a humorous, authentic, and unexpectedly tender play set within the bustling, sometimes chaotic office space of an aged care facility. The story follows three women whose lives intersect in ways that are both ordinary and profound. At its centre is Pia, played with grit and vulnerability by Melanie Madrigali. Pia is an overworked, under-supported single mother, stretched thin between the needs of her family and the fragile older adults she protects with fierce devotion. Madrigali balances sharp humour with emotional honesty, showing Pia’s resilience as well as the cracks that form when compassion is stretched too far.
She is joined onstage by two strong performers who bring texture and contrast to the dynamic: Jane Clifton as Colleen, the loud, cheeky, and larger-than-life colleague whose bravado covers her own insecurities, and Rosemary Johns as Lauren, the dementia-affected yet luminous figure whose presence is ethereal and quietly heartbreaking. Johns’ portrayal avoids caricature, offering a delicate, humane look at how memory loss reshapes identity while still leaving room for flashes of wisdom and spirit.
Playwright Irene Korsten has crafted a script that balances humour and poignancy. Rather than falling back on stereotypes, she gives each character dimension and complexity, inviting audiences to see them as fully realised people rather than mere archetypes. The dialogue flows with a natural rhythm, peppered with wry observations and moments of raw honesty that feel instantly recognisable. Rachel Baring’s direction amplifies this authenticity. The staging feels as though the audience has been invited directly into the staffroom of an aged care home, watching real people negotiate frustrations, laughter, and moments of grace. The pacing is nimble, allowing both comedy and contemplation to breathe.
The interplay between the three characters provides a dynamic ebb and flow of energy. Conversations spiral from workroom banter into unexpected meditations on spirituality, mortality, and family. Particularly striking is Madrigali’s ability to hold the stage even when “acting against no one”. Whether speaking into a phone to patients’ families or to her own child. These moments showcase her precision as a performer and highlight the isolation of carers who are often pulled in many directions at once.
What gives Are You There its staying power is not just its humour or characterisation, but its resonance. The show nudges the audience to consider their own connections to family, community, and the people who quietly sustain both. In its gentle way, it encourages gratitude for those who care, often without thanks, and for the fragile bonds of connection that give life meaning. Walking away, I found myself reflecting on my own relationships and the small yet profound ways we hold each other up.
This is a sweet, sensitive, and deeply human play. One that laughs at the absurdities of life in an aged care office while reminding us that connection is what ultimately keeps us grounded. Are You There is proof that sometimes the most ordinary settings yield the most extraordinary truths.
