PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Celebrate the return of live performance with an exhilarating, evocative night of new plays written for here, for now, for this song... Live theatre meets intimate music festival -  over three nights. Since 2013 PLAYlist has created a strong following and become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the theatrical calendar. Ten exceptional writers create new short works, each inspired by a song, and incorporating that song.  This year,  Red Stitch and a range of cross disciplinary artists will inhabit Alma Park, transforming the outdoor space into a theatrical playground. Join us for the night. Or all three!

Quote by Ella (AD): “I don’t need to tell anyone what the last twelve months has been like for this sector but we are nothing if not resilient and creative. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support Melbourne theatre. For the first time we’re taking PLAYlist outside, and we’re extending the festival over three very special nights.”

PLAYLETS

BURNING LOVE (PG) by Jean Tong | Directed by Sarah Vickery

Song Burning Love, Dennis Linde

That heat you feel? I feel it too. It burns. It smoulders. It hurts. It’s definitely the 11 spice-mix KFC Wicked Wings, and not the queer teenage angst of being in love with your straight best friend.

Performed by Hannah McKittrick, Mollie Mooney & Amarachi Okorom

GLORIA AT SUNSET (PG) by Rajith Savanadasa | Directed by David Whiteley

Song Our Town, Iris DeMent

Gloria’s sick of this place. She’s waiting for Lenny, a man with a dubious past, to take her away. But who’s this coming to meet her? Looks like a Buddhist monk. No. It couldn’t be...

Performed by Emily Joy, Kevin Hofbauer & Holy Moses Heartache

PRODUCTION TEAM

Lighting Design Gabriel Bethune
Sound Design Justin Gardam
Production Manager Cecelia Scarthy
Stage Manager Claudia Howarth

HOLD ME NOW (PG) by Natasha Pincus | Directed by Natasha Pincus

Song Hold Me Now, The Thompson Twins

A couple head out for a therapeutic stroll, their relationship on the rocks. There’s still love between them, but can they make it work? Should they? As they near the crossroad of their future, a discovery in the park will expose their own humanity and test the strength of the bond holding them together.

Performed by Charlie Cousins, Casey Filips, Louisa Mignone, Matthew Whitty & Murdo the dog

LION TATTOO (MA) by James Elazzi

Song Lion Tattoo, Daniel Nixon | Directed by Stephen Nicolazzo

Damien and Roger are in the park, and are there for one thing only. Random sex. When this plan is delayed they choose to wait. Then they choose to have a conversation. Choice after choice, something much more enticing than sex develops.

Performed by Zach Blampied, Ben Grant & Daniel Nixon

PICNIC IN THE PARK (PG) by Jane Harrison | Directed by Marcel Dorney

Song I Get A Kick Out of You, Cole Porter

A park bench, a young girl with sticky fingers, an old woman sleeping rough. Life’s not always a picnic, but a small act of kindness can be the spark that leads to better days.

Performed by Marta Kaczmarek & Maurial Spearim

SON OR DAUGHTER (PG) by Morgan Rose | Directed by Krystalla Pearce

Song Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind, Bob Dylan

An insignificant recollection told with precision by an unreliable narrator. You can’t change the past, but maybe you can change your memory of it.

Performed by Daniel Frederiksen, Shea Macdonough, Sarah Sutherland, Andrew Tresidder & Chloe Violette

SUMMER IN THE PARK (PG) by Hannie Rayson | Directed by Susie Dee

Song To Love Somebody, The Bee Gees

Natalia has spent her whole life being ‘inappropriate’. That’s been her goal. But her daughter Summer belongs to a generation where being inappropriate is basically very inappropriate. It’s especially bad when it’s your own mother breaking the rules. #sigh  #traps for old players

Performed by Jing-Xuan Chan, Olga Makeeva & Holy Moses Heartache

TENDERNESS (MA) by Joanna Murray-Smith | Directed by Mark Wilson

Song Not A War Zone, Jessica Hitchcock

He’s been her Number One since they met at the party, the one where he told her she was enchanting and even though he was so old, she loved it. She’s everything he ever wanted to have and to hold. 

Performed by Marco Chiappi, Jessica Hitchcock & Edwina Samuels

THE SONG OF THE BIRDS (PG) by Dan Giovannoni | Directed by Denis Moore

Song The Song of The Birds, Pablo Casals

The Song of the Birds is a gentle little story inspired by quiet moments of intimacy between strangers, ageing, queer tenderness and the haunting piece for cello that Campbell will play for you. The Song of the Birds explores stillness, and small encounters with the natural world. Written for Joe Petruzzi (who featured in Giovannoni’s play Jurassica in 2015), this exquisite monologue is melancholy but life-affirming.

Performed by Campbell Banks & Joe Petruzzi

WHERE I WAS LAST FOUND (PG) by Vidya Rajan | Directed by Emily O’Brien-Brown

Song Where I Was Last Found, Duel Native

Everything changes so much, but some things stay the same. Against the backdrop of an altered world, an older man and his younger partner meet and start a relationship. Movement versus stasis, experience versus abandon - small lives in a big world.

Performed by Michael Logo, Ben Noble & Duel Native

Production photos by Robert Blackburn. Promotional image by Work Art Life Studios.

This project has been supported by the City of Port Phillip through the Cultural Development Fund.

This project has been created with the support of Creative Victoria.

This project has been created with the support of The Portland House Foundation.