Episodes
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The MERRIGONGX 2024 season has launched! Join Anne-Louise Rentell (Director – The Strangeways Ensemble) and Merrigong's Artistic Associate – Artist Wellbeing Bonnie Curtis as they discuss our new Artist Wellbeing Program that MERRIGONGX will pilot this year. Created after months of research, the program will provide tailored support, accessibility services, and workshops to nurture the holistic health of 2024 MERRIGONGX artists.
To find out more about our 2024 MERRIGONGX Presentations check out the links below
A Place In The Sultan's Kitchen by Joshua Hinton, 8 - 10 Aug
Birdsong of Tomorrow by Nathan Harrison, 22 - 24 Aug
The Cardinal Rules by Rose Maher, with Hurrah Hurrah, 31 Oct - 2 Nov
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MerrigongX season artwork by Karla Hayes
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Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean speaks with ChaChi & the Sea of Tears' writer/performer Neisha Murphy
Leland and Neisha discuss how she discovered her love of circus, how she arrived in the Gong and her connections to Circus Monoxide and The Vault. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on Neisha and the origins and development of her show ChaChi & the Sea of Tears.
ChaChi & The Sea of Tears is the first MerrigongX show for the 2023 season. In ChaChi Neisha combines clowning and storytelling in an action-packed show about facing your fears and finding light in the darkness – even in the biggest downpours. Full of slapstick comedy, hilarious antics, daring circus and the big time feels… oh, and don’t forget your brolly!
ChaChi & the Sea of Tears runs 2-4 March at Wollongong Town Hall. Book now.
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Missing episodes?
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MerrigongX 2022 artist Nathan Harrison from Applespiel and Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean discuss the 2023 MerrigongX Season that launches Wednesday 15th February.
Leland and Nathan chat about all things independent theatre, Leland's journey through the arts, and the MerrigongX 2023 program. As those who know Leland, he likes a yarn, so that is exactly what this episode is (oh and just a warning he swears a lot). Leland is not shy of an opinion, so hang on as they swing from the early nineties performance scene in Sydney through the many independent stages and programs that have influenced and led to the formation of the MerrigongX artists program we run today at Merrigong.
MerrigongX Presentations
ChaChi & the Sea of Tears by Neisha Murphy, 2 - 4 March
Optimal Stopping by Proper Motion & La Infinita Compañía, 30 March - 1 April
uNCOILEd eXposed by AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, 19 - 21 October
Landed by Frumpus, 2 - 4 November
Development Showing
My Beautiful Man by Alana Valentine, 3 June
MerrigongX artwork by Clare O'Toole
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Michelle Maxwell is AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre's Artistic Director. She is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and director. Her driving passion is working with young dancers, giving them professional opportunities, mentorship and guidance is infectious.
Michelle discusses her choreographic process and this year's uNCOILEd eXposed with Merrigong's Creatability Producer Intern Bonnie Curtis. Bonnie is a choreographer and Artistic Director of Bonnie Curtis Projects.
uNCOILEd eXposed is an experimental theatre residency that represents an unveiling of fresh choreographic talent from the region. Emerging artists from diverse styles and backgrounds have worked collaboratively with AUSTI. company artists to create new innovative dance works.
uNCOILEd eXposed runs 20 - 22 Oct at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Reserve your tickets now!
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Merrigong's Artist Development Manager Leland Kean talks with Elana Stone and Tom Hogan about their new musical tragic comedy Mount Hopeless.
Mount Hopeless was originally scheduled for June 2020 but was cancelled for obvious reasons and then rescheduled for August 2021 when COVID shutdowns struck again! We're now very excited to finally have the show go up in September 2022!
Mount Hopeless is based on the story of Burke & Wills. The two idiots are often heralded as tragic heroes, and as symbols of the Australian spirit, rather than a warning tale of exactly what not to do. The songs are joyous, the story has you slapping your forehead, saying “NO, YOU FOOLS!”, and underneath it all are some real questions about mateship, biting off more than you can chew, and rewriting history to suit your own narrative.
Mount Hopeless runs from Sept 1 - 3. Book now!
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Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean speaks with Emma McManus, Nathan Harrison & Troy Reid from Applespiel about their new show Sorry Sorry Sorry.
Sorry Sorry Sorry is a deep dive into the modern apology. Where is the meaning and sincerity in a landscape filled with apologies born from football scandals, YouTube personality confessions and uncountable moments of personal shame?
In 2022 the world is a different place and our ideas of accountability have shifted – we hope. So has the value we place on being in a shared physical space, exploring ideas. In a social and political climate where interrogating the past, being held to account, and seeking a productive way forward are key issues, the act of apologising is more important than ever.
Using apologies that are written, performed, broadcast, filmed and edited, they are transformed when brought into a live theatre space and explore the intersection between performance, accountability and apology. With a lot of material to inhabit, you can’t help but ask: if you rehearse an apology and put it in front of an audience, can you still mean it?
Sorry Sorry Sorry runs 11 - 13 August at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
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As Luck Would Have It's Director Leland Kean talks with the show's Writer, Composer and Star Drew Fairley for a third and final time on the podcast to reflect on the show they've made now that it's Merrigong season has opened. Is it a comedy, is it an opera, why play by the rules?
As Luck Would Have It is on now at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre until Saturday 6th August - Book Now!
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Lisa Maris McDonell is an Illawarra-based dance artist who has been creating and presenting performance works in various contexts in Australia and internationally since 1996.
Lisa discusses her new work The Lobster with Merrigong's Creatability Producer Intern Bonnie Curtis. Bonnie is a choreographer and Artistic Director of Bonnie Curtis Projects.
The Lobster asks what an artist is worth? Lisa weaves dance and movement pieces created by choreographers from around the world, with storytelling, video projection and original sounds by musicians and composers from the South Coast of NSW to create a work of protest and provocation.
You can find out more about Lisa's projects at Proper Motion
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Lisa Maris McDonell is an Illawarra-based dance artist who has been creating and presenting performance works in various contexts in Australia and internationally since 1996.
Lisa discusses her new work The Lobster with Merrigong's Creatability Producer Intern Bonnie Curtis. Bonnie is a choreographer and Artistic Director of Bonnie Curtis Projects.
The Lobster asks what an artist is worth? Lisa weaves dance and movement pieces created by choreographers from around the world, with storytelling, video projection and original sounds by musicians and composers from the South Coast of NSW to create a work of protest and provocation.
You can find out more about Lisa's projects at Proper Motion
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Merrigong Theatre Company's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean chats with Kay Proudlove in the aftermath of the first season of her new work Dear Diary.
Kay Proudlove is a South Coast performer, writer and composer who has toured worldwide with her live shows, and worked on various music, theatre and dramatic arts projects. Kay’s new work takes us on a journey through her teenage diaries through a collection of intimate and vulnerable stories and songs.
Dear Diary asks us to look at what we hold onto in our lives and when it’s the right time to let them go, if ever.
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An Artisan Collective production
By Ben Pfeiffer
Director Kirsten von Bibra
This play reading features three excerpts from the script of The Keeper from the 2020 development of the work.
A true story through a new lens.
Follow the story of Jumbo, the Sudanese elephant (1860 -1885) – said to be the largest ever to walk the earth. Retold through the lens of Jumbo’s lifelong companion and carer, Matthew Scott The Keeper takes you through Jumbo’s incredible journey to become the main attraction of P.T Barnum’s ‘Greatest Show On Earth’ and the tragic tale of life in and beyond the circus. A real superstar of the Victorian era is brought to life through puppetry, stunning visuals, theatrical illusion, live songs and showmanship. This true story encourages compassion and understanding of what it means to advocate on behalf of the vulnerable and voiceless.
If you would like to show your support for this work, the artists request that you consider making a donation to Pay the Rent – www.paytherent.net.au
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Catherine McKinnon is an award-winning writer.
Her most recent novel, Storyland was published by Harper Collins in 2017, in 2018 it was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, the Barbara Jefferis Award and the Voss Literary Prize, long listed for the lndie Book Awards, and was named one of ABC TV’s The Book Club’s Five of the Best in 2017.
Catherine is under commission with Merrigong to adapt Storyland into a play.
Catherine has directed and helped develop many new Australian plays.
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Well-known performer and theatre-maker Drew Fairley, a Wollongong favourite with long-term connections to our region’s performance community, has written a new play commissioned by Merrigong, As Luck Would Have It. Inspired by Drew's experiences being marooned on a cruise ship during the early months of the pandemic. It’s the odyssey of a man drumming up mirth while he grips onto the edge of a funnel that threatens to plunge him into the abyss. With songs!
In turns hilarious and devastating, this extraordinary new work leans into the absurdity of survival whilst sliding to the edge of reason.
Drew sat down in 2020 with Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean to discuss his creative journey and his new work.
In Part 1 Drew discussed his creative path and connections to the Illawarra.
In Part 2 they discuss the independent artist scene from the late 90s through to Drew's fascinating experience on board a cruise ship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Book you tickets to As Luck Would Have It
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Well-known performer and theatre-maker Drew Fairley, a Wollongong favourite with long-term connections to our region’s performance community, has written a new play commissioned by Merrigong, As Luck Would Have It. Inspired by Drew's experiences being marooned on a cruise ship during the early months of the pandemic. It’s the odyssey of a man drumming up mirth while he grips onto the edge of a funnel that threatens to plunge him into the abyss. With songs!
In turns hilarious and devastating, this extraordinary new work leans into the absurdity of survival whilst sliding to the edge of reason.
Drew sat down in 2020 with Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean to discuss his creative journey and his new work.
In Part 1 Drew discusses his creative path and connections to the Illawarra.
Part 2 will cover his time stuck on a cruise ship and his new work.
Book you tickets to As Luck Would Have It
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Merrigong Theatre Company's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean chats with author and playwright Kirli Saunders about her career and her work-in-development Going Home.
Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai Woman, award-winning international writer, teacher, consultant and artist and was named the 2020 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
Inspired by Kirli Saunders’ own reconnection Country and Community, Going Home explores the intersection of the removal of four siblings taken from their families in 1970’s and the homecoming of those siblings, to Country in present day.
Weaving fiction with truth, poetry with prose and language with land, this work offers solace to those similarly disconnected and celebrates the strength, survival and warmth of First Nations communities. It explores the intergenerational impacts of our shared history and confronts what we leave behind when we are forced to go, and prompts us to think about what lies ahead.
Reserve your spot for the Development Showing of Going Home 11am Sat 20 August
