O G R A M
Fairly Lucid Productions and the entire team respectfully acknowledge First People's Sovereignty and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and storytelling by Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to the many clans and language groups in Victoria, to their elders past and present, and acknowledge the strength and resilience of all Aboriginal peoples.
always was, always will be, Aboriginal land
Having been born into an interfaith family and having made another one, I am surrounded by many, often conflicting, approaches to death and dying. I love finding the connections and conflicts in the various rituals in which I partake and I find comfort and meaning in pretty much all of them
It feels apt that The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying opens on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This is the beginning of a ten day period within the Jewish calendar, the only time of year when there is a deliberate focus on death, mortality, and the meaning of life
Religious or not, containers are a good way to both release and process tricky topics - the first forty days of mourning, the forty days of Lent and its Carnival party precursor, the nine months of pregnancy, meditation retreats, boot camps, sabbaticals.
The making and rehearsing of The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying has been a generative and joyous container for my own reflections on death and dying and I hope its viewing offers you a similar container.
I am in awe of Ben Noble for using his very current and raw personal experience to make a theatrical work that has perspective and creates cohesion between the many conflicting feelings we all have around death and dying. Thank you for entrusting me with this wild and wonderful project.
Krystalla Pearce Director
DIRECTOR
WRITER
CREATED
SET
COSTUME DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
STAGE MANAGER
PRODUCER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CAST
VOICE
BAND
ImageCredit:TomNoble
Sometimes grief finds you in the checkout line between the gum and gossip magazines; it doesn't care that it's been five years or that people are waiting It just shows up, reminding you that love doesn't have an expiration date "
Alessandra Olanow
This production is dedicated to everyone who has ever faced the uncertainty of mortality whether through personal experience or the loss of loved ones. In particular, this show is dedicated to Jane, whose spirit and insights inspire us to embrace life fully In a world where death and grief are often relegated to quiet whispers, we aim to break that silence and bring humour and heart to these universal themes
I remember when Ben and I first broached the topic of death and dying It was a conversation sparked by his own brush with mortality, a moment that forced him to confront the unthinkable: what if his body began to fail him, and the doctors had no answers? This profound question opened a floodgate of feelings, revealing how many of us navigate life with the shadow of mortality looming, yet struggle to voice our fears.
As we talked, it became clear that both of us had experienced much loss far too early in life. We realised that in Western cultures, discussing death is often taboo a personal subject we carry alone, despite its inevitability The weight of this silence can be isolating, leading us to compartmentalise our grief instead of sharing it. We all hope to pass peacefully, surrounded by those we love, yet how often do we communicate what we truly want for our end?
One line from the script has stuck with me: “How is your sadness a problem?” In our fast-paced lives, we often rush past feelings like grief, sadness, and anxiety, as if they’re obstacles to be overcome But making space for these emotions is vital. When we allow ourselves to feel when we embrace our grief and share our stories we create room for authenticity, connection, and ultimately, freedom
This piece is a reminder that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone It invites you to join us in exploring what it means to grieve, to feel, and to converse openly about the topics we often avoid. As one of our interviewees notes in the show, “We don’t build muscles for conversations like death ” Together, we can strengthen our capacity for these essential discussions.
We hope 'The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying' opens pathways for heartfelt conversations among you and your loved ones What do you envision for your end? How can you express that to those you cherish? These questions guide our work and our hopes for this production.
So, let’s embrace the awkwardness, the sadness, the joy let those emotions out This show is for all of us, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you
With gratitude and hope,
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow. - Abraham Lincoln
It feels odd putting your life on stage. Somewhat egotistical for sure, but as we explored this work with the company I realised all the questions I was going through personally had to be put into the work. Because every time I avoided them - the show never really worked.
What this work has shown me is that although this is deeply personal to me and what I’m actually going through right now, in this time, in my life, it ripples through everyone it touches, like a tidal wave we can not escape. It is meant to embrace us all in someway, to make us see that yes, its scary to talk about it but it’s not something to shy away from. Somewhere we have taught ourselves that difficult conversations are wrong. But maybe difficult conversations are what we need to get through it.
I, like most of you, don’t know what the future holds. I’m looking down the barrel of a disorder that has changed me. It has ricocheted me and given me an experience that although its scary and sad and terrifying, in a way it has given me a beautiful reminder of life. And how precious it is. Corny as that sounds, there is truth in it.
What it has given me is how grateful I am. Grateful for the treatment I’m about about to have to help me live a life. Grateful for the amazing medical professionals that facilitate that and consistently look for ways to make my experience better. I’m grateful for the extraordinary support of this company, my friends and my beautiful family who have held me up when I couldn’t stand. Grateful for those who opened themselves up when we asked. And for all those who helped along the way. Life is a wonderful thing. I try and live with kindness and excitement. And to put these words down for an audience, is a privilege I don’t take for granted.
So whatever comes from this work, may it remind you that time is precious. Give all you can to the things you love. Otherwise what else are we doing?
Ben Noble - Writer
Alessandra is an actor, theatre marker and stage manger. Alessandra graduated from Showfit in 2023 after completing two years of full time musical theatre training Form there she went on to study at the Victorian Collage of the Arts (VCA) to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) with a focus on Stage Management and Lighting
Theatre Credits Include Anika in 'Only Child' at Chapel Off Chapel, Singer for Home Grown Aus 203 at Chapel off Chapel, Singer for “The Adams Family” with Star and the Moon
Alessandra loves to be part of the development for new Australian work and is thrilled to join the team for The Dilly Dally of the Death and Dying
Music Video,Tale of Outer Suburbia, Australian band, Hands Like Houses. Features; Michael Gracey’s Better Man Catherine Hill’s Some Happy Day Hong Kong Films Janet Chun’s A Journey Through Time with Anthony TV The Clearing Glitch Why Am I Like This? Utopia The Hollowmen Time Of Our Lives Jack Irish Secret Bridesmaid’s Business Shantaram The Glue Society Disney Australia The Otto Empire Flinders Lane Scout Productions La Mama Theatre 1992 and onwards Artistic Director Soup Kitchen Theatre Lunchtime Theatre, Artistic Associate - Federation Festival, Polyglot Theatre, Paramount TV Australian commercials with award winning LA and British directors The National Theatre St Martins Theatre Footscray Community Arts Centre Victoria University Department Performing Arts Melbourne University Chunky Move Contemporary Dance Company John and Betty 50 Years On at the Exhibition Buildings Melbourne Festival Canberra International Arts Festival Rising WEST Theatre ( the first professional theatre established in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs) Melbourne Comedy Festival The Storeroom Education AustraliaAsia The Village Horror films Late Light With Devil and Vanished BA Drama La Trobe University, John Bolton Theatre School, New York’s Actor’s Studio, Ana Kokkinos Masterclasses, AFTRS stage/screen Writing, Tyler Coppin Accents, AMEB Contemporary Vocalist Writer Indie Feature Curious Autumn and short Igloo (Setting Sun, Sun Cinema, Projector Bike Festival)
Juleiaah is a dynamic force in the world of music and creativity, embodying her role as a Facilitator of Fun Times with every note she sings. As a singer, creative coach, vocal mentor, choir leader, and musical director, she orchestrates joy and connection through her passion for harmony and togetherness Juleiaah's retreats are transformative, her choirs and concerts are legendary, and her coaching inspires individuals to find their unique voice and then to USE IT Teaching the world to sing, one by one, she creates resonant experiences that uplift and unite.
Kate graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre and started working as a presenter, producer and writer for an online media company During that time Kate has written and produced work for charities like Melbourne City Mission and The Red Cross. Kate has also presented on the red carpet for events like The ARIA awards and The Logie Awards as well as writing and acting in TVC's for Asthma Australia and The Cancer Council
In 2022 Kate began working with iconic Melbourne Cabaret Company 'Finucane & Smith' on their show 'FUTURE.JOY.CLUB.' at the Sofitel in Melbourne. Kate has also toured with Finucane & Smith's 'Dance Hall', performed at BLEACH festival on the Gold Coast and in two seasons of 'House of the Heart' at the Chinese Museum
You can find Kate gigging around Melbourne as a Burlesque and Cabaret performer
Danielle is a queer and non-binary performer, producer and multidisciplinary artist. They recently interned for the Melbourne International Film Festival and is an alumni of both 16th Street Actors Studio and RMIT (BA Fine Arts, graduating with first class honours) Their background in performance led them to co-found Dirty Pennies and further integrate theatre making into their artistic practice Their work incorporates poetry, photography, performance and video, utilising storytelling techniques to illuminate the seemingly mundane and to shine a light on hidden corners of our experience Their work plays with the diaristic and explores different vehicles for confession Their work has recently featured at the Melbourne Emerging Writer’s Festival (2020) and Voiceworks (2020).
Cassandra Hart (Shakespeare Aliens/Caligula) is an award winning Actor and Producer originally hailing from Adelaide. Since arriving in Melbourne in 2017, Cassandra has worked across stage and screen She is a producer with The Ghostlight League and successfully toured the Adelaide Fringe season of ‘Shakespeare Aliens’ in 2023 as an Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund recipient, embracing the challenge of simultaneously producing and performing in the leading role of the show. Cassandra’s recent work includes an interstate and international staging of Corey Galamuzina’s ‘The Brothers Rapture - A Holy Hip Hop Cabaret’, ‘How to Save a Tree’ with Melbourne Writers Theatre, and 'Shakespeare Ghostbusters' with The Ghostlight League You can see Cassandra in the forthcoming 'The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying" with Fairly Lucid Productions and "William Shakespeare's Reservoir Dogs" with The Ghostlight League. Screen credits include 'Last Dance' - Dir. Nick Sumner-Wright; for which she won ‘Best Actress’ at the Geelong Independent Film Festival
Samantha Hastings is a Naarm / Melbourne based Freelance Costume and Set Designer specialising in Theatre and Live Performance Sam graduated the Victorian College of the Arts in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Costume Design and Construction for Theatre.
Upon graduating from the VCA Sam has worked throughout Theatre, Film, TV, as well as Bridal Some credits include resident designer for the Melbourne Independent Theatre Company Bloomshed as well as Standby Assistant / Stylist on the Australian Soap Opera Neighbours
Sam’s expertise across Theatre Design, Film & Television, have led her to be involved in the development of creative projects with throughout multiple fields Sam’s most recent works include: Anouk van Dijk’s contemporary dance piece Surge, Tyran Parke’s musical Our House, Bloodshed’s Animal Farm, Paradise Lost (Green Room winner for Best Set & Costume Design), Dodgeball Named Desire (winner of Fringe’s Most Innovative in Theatre & Sydney Fringe Award) & The Importance of Being Earnest, Beth Paterson’s new work Niusia , Fred Pryce’s fringe show Alison goes to Aldi for her Aunt and designs work for episodes of “Neighbours” throughout 2022 & 2023
Mark Hennessy has worked in theatre, TV and film as an actor and physical performer for many years He starred in the children’s television series, The Henderson Kids and subsequently, in Blue Heelers, Phoenix, Police Rescue, In Between, Halifax f.p. and All Saints.
Films include, Dead Calm, Young Flynn, River Street, and The Big Steal
Theatre performances have been with companies as diverse as NYIDTraining Squad, DANCE-WORKSPrivate Lives/Public Spaces, STRANGE FRUIT - The Field and TOGS
THEATRE - The Fabulous Fops Credits include Blowback - NYID, Cyrano De Bergerac - STC, The 3 Furies by Steven Sewell, MacbethTHE OLD VAN at Theatreworks, and The Conquest of The South Pole at THE STORE ROOM
His latest solo work, the death & resurrection show, was supported by Arts Victoria
As the co-founder and artistic director of Essential Theatre, alongside Amanda LaBonté, Sophie has played a key role in shaping the theatrical landscape for two decades The company is best known for their signature event, Shakespeare in the Vines This outdoor theatre spectacle has garnered widespread acclaim, captivating audiences throughout Australia Recent credits include the Australian Premiere of EMILIA at Arts Centre Melbourne and Canberra Theatre Centre (2022), The Dream Laboratory - an immersive theatre experience inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2022) & Enter Ophelia - a coproduction with Three Birds Theatre (La Mama 2018) Performance highlights with Essential Theatre include Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Leonata/Dogberry (Much Ado About Nothing), Nurse (Romeo & Juliet), Viola (Twelfth Night), the twin Dromio’s (The Comedy of Errors) and Anthony (Julius Caesar - Melbourne, Adelaide & Edinburgh Fringe Festivals) Sophie recently joined The Shift Theatre & Three Birds Theatre on their Regional Arts Victoria tour of Garage Girls In 2023 Sophie performed in Just a Boy Standing in Front of a Girl with 15 Minutes from Anywhere at fortyfivedownstairs and Slightly Cracked with Girls Act Good at La Mama Sophie is a graduate of The University of Ballarat (Performing Arts) and is also an International Fellow of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London She works as an actor, theatre producer and pilates and movement educator
Atari is a teenager and plays Bass and Drums
Earlier this year he secured his first paid gig playing Electric Bass in the band The Pilgrims at the Workers’ Club in Fitzroy
Since the age of 12 he has played regularly at the Kindred Studios in Footscray at the under age school band nights His other passions are cricket and basketball
Lee has been a production runner and chaperone for the ABC, hosted an interview based program Behind The Words (C31) and played Helene McKenzie in the drama/comedy series Under The Milky Way (C31), which earned her an award for ‘Best Actor in a Narrative Drama, Comedy or Sketch’ for the 2019 Antenna Awards
She has studied under Wendy Ward, performing as part of the Ward Theatre Company and at The Melbourne Actor’s Lab With Choo Choo Productions she coproduced, co-directed and featured in a trilogy of short films The first in the trilogy Half of Me had its premiere screening at the 2019 St Kilda Film Festival, made official selection into the Rome Film Awards, Moscow Shorts and London Independent Film Awards, where it won Lee a ‘Best Actress’ Award All of Me, the third in the trilogy, which she directed, premiered at Lorne Film 2019 and all three films were selected to screen together in the online programming of the Geelong International Film Festival 2020 and Sydney World Film Festival 2021
Lee has been an ensemble member of Girls Act Good since 2014. She co-produced and directed their immersive theatre and short feature The Association which was a part of the AACTA Social Shorts and wrote and performed her own episode in their web series Last Breath
Ben Noble
WRITER/CO-CREATOR/CAST
Founder and co-creative producer of Fairly Lucid Productions
Ben is a disabled queer artist who received his Masters from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and studied at RADA, Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, Brave Studios & 16th Street
Theatre highlights include: Playlist 21 (Red Stitch Actors Theatre) The Campaign (Gavin Roach), Doctor Faustus, Little Light (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), As You like It (Shakespeare’s Globe) Two Gentlemen of Verona (RADA), MEMBER, Raton Laveur, Something From Nothing, interrogation (Fairly Lucid Productions), Wind in the Willows (Australian Shakespeare Company), The Subtle Art of Falling (Tunks Productions) Scrooge (Stage West Canada), Phaedra’s Love (Abstract Chaos), One Last (SummerWorks)
Film & TV highlights: Underbelly (Channel 9), Quiz (Nobull Productions), BJ Fletcher Private Eye (Bee Charmer Productions).
As the writer, Ben received the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation Playwrighting Award for MEMBER and St Martins Best Play Award (Short Trip - Winner, Pick A Card – 3rd Prize, Go, Fish - Finalist)
Krystalla Pearce DIRECTOR
Krystalla is a Greek-Australian theatremaker, teaching artist, and producer
Her interests include culturally specific works for theatre and new Australian writing. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (MA Performance Studies).
Local theatre credits include: The Long Game (Theatre Works), Archimedes War (VCA), Prayer Machine (Red Stitch), and She is Vigilante (Theatre Works) While living in New York, Krystalla co-founded experimental theatre company Rat King Theatre Her work has been presented internationally in Greece, Mexico, and the USA including at The Brick, The Wild Project, PERFORMA15, The island resignified, and Dixon Place
She received the Dame Joan Sutherland Award for Australian Artists living in the US and was part of MTC’s 2020 Women in Theatre Program
Keeran is an emerging guitarist, songwriter and composer from Naarm/Melbourne, Victoria, with a passion for live and studio session work Having first picked up the guitar in early primary school, Keeran is now completing his final year of a Bachelor of Music Industry, Majoring in Performance, at Box Hill Institute. Currently, Keeran is playing in multiple bands active in Melbourne's live music scene, and has featured as a session player on numerous upcoming releases from emerging artists set for 2024/25 With a love for Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, and Soul music, Keeran is inspired by an extensive range of musicians and performers spanning from the 50's/60's to the present day
C0-CREATOR/CAST
Sarah is the Co-Creative Producer of Fairly Lucid Productions.
Sarah graduated from BAAPA (now known as Federation University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting She has also trained at RADA (UK), 16th Street Actors Studio, Les Chantery Studio, and extensively with Howard Fine Studio Australia
Her theatre credits include roles such as Lucetta and Turio in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Sonya in Uncle Vanya at fortyfivedownstairs, and Anya in The Cherry Orchard Sarah also portrayed the Laundress in a sold-out season of Metamorphoses at the Melbourne Fringe and played Nellie in e-baby at Chapel off Chapel
In addition to her stage work, she has appeared in numerous commercials, short films, and independent features, including Plague, which topped the iTunes Horror Charts Sarah also starred as Mazzy in the Channel 31 series Leongatha and has taken on various corporate and commercial projects
Esther Rivers is a singer songwriter from Melbourne Australia. She performed with her band Little Desert from 2012 to 2018, more recently debuting her solo work under her own name Simmering darkness and heartfelt gusto permeate her music, in the vein of Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, and Melanie Safka Rivers' long-awaited EP 'Heretic', recorded with Stephen Mowat (Ali B/ WILSN) was released in June 2024, following her debut single Prisoners
Transported by her song, we find ourselves smoking in the caverns of old Paris nightclubs, or wandering with the ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel As much a sultry chanteuse as a reckless loner, Rivers' voice is an offering "One of the most sorrowfully beautiful voices I've heard " - VICE
"The soaring voice and ruptured intimacy of vocalist Esther Rivers would have suited the end credits of Justin Kurzel's take on Macbeth." - The Age Listen to Esther on Spotify
I'm Katie, a director with a focus on contemporary, music-driven shows which invite audiences to adjust their relationship with the world
While my background in classical text and literature informs my process, I’m primarily what you’d call an actor’s director: I work collaboratively with performers to eke out precise, truthful, thoughtprovoking work I also have considerable experience on creative engagement projects, particularly with young people and community casts
Since graduating from the MA in Directing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2019, I’ve directed experimental, devised shows and worked as assistant director on multiple operas And when I’m not making theatre, I write fiction and copy, and teach people of all levels and abilities to artistic roller-skating.
Natalia brings over a decade of lighting design experience, spanning architecture, film, and theatre Her portfolio encompasses projects in museums, galleries, and public spaces across Australia and overseas, as well as contributions to international cinematic productions, television, and independent theatre
Combining experience as a technician, rigger, and draftsperson, and having a background in art and painting, Natalia is driven by her passion for crafting immersive experiences through colour and form Her primary focus lies in contemporary performance lighting, where she is interested in combining artistic expression with technical precision to bring narratives to life.
Carly is a multidisciplinary artist; actor, musician, writer, director, and designer She performs regularly in folk duo Morrigan Wilding, in which she is a singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist She accompanies original songs with Celtic harp, guitar, vocals and live-looping alongside bandmate Kylie Morrigan Their debut album, THESE WOMEN came out in January 2024, and will tour around Victoria and interstate in the folk festival circuit in 2024/25 The duo also improvise live scores for Soothplayers: Completely Improvised Shakespeare at Australian Comedy and Fringe festivals Recent theatre credits include The Good Girl in Voyage (3 x Music Theatre GreenRoom Award nominated), Bumbles in Bumbles & Moz (self-written), Olivia in Twelfth Night, Head Chief Rabbit/Musical Director in Wind in the Willows, Duchess in Alice in Wonderland (Australian Shakespeare Company), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Miranda in The Tempest (Melbourne Shakespeare Company ) Carly has also recently voiced several projects for Sovereign Hill's multi-million dollar live show AURA - now showing, Holmesglen Institute, multi-national exhibition Expo 2020 Dubai, and Emmi Climate Solutions Carly is currently enjoying getting back into ballet training, bending her harp with new whacky effects, and fitting out her new camper van, Beatrice! She can be seen either in billowing dresses with a harp over her shoulder, or with tradie shorts and a drill - there is no in between
Fairl ite their audi making work.
Run by Ben Noble & Sarah Ranken, we aim to push the boundaries with our performances, presenting work that is courageous, compassionate and embraces humility, with a strong focus on new work.
We are taking our award winning show MEMBER over to San Francisco International Arts Festival in 2025.
Our film production arm - will start filming on a new production within the year.
To stay in touch, follow us, tag us, like us, share our work.
@fairlylucid #dillydallytheshow
Thank you to Bluestone Church Arts Space (and Maribyrnong City Council) for giving us the space to create the seeds of this show, to the participants we interviewed including Amy Noble, Susan & John Noble, Jane Marshall, Stass from The Last Hurrah Funerals, Gabriela GeorgesThe Grief Cocoon, Mischa - The Iceberg Foundation, Holly Pitt, Amanda Testro, Jen Monk, Brad Denniston, Erin Saliba, Crystal & Rick Barkla, Franke and Lenny, Nick Clark and Scarlett & Jack. Our thanks to Katie Smith, Doug Lyons, Perri Cummings, Fiona Macleod, Michael Logo, Sina Ale, Lauren Bailey, Nash Daley, Duel Native, Luke Brady, Elijah Logo, Tamzen Hayes, Kiril Stamenkov, Emily O’Brien Brown, Naomi Hawker, Benjamin Weiss, Caitie Murphy, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Brave Studios (Damo & Elle), Merribek Council, Bec Cooen & Midsumma, Stephanie Jones, Em Tambree, Tom Noble, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Rebecca, Susan, Nathan), Andrew Bellchambers and Melbourne Theatre Company, Wendy Bos, Mark Schellekens, Leda Nutrition, Casey Harper-Wood, Bronwyn Pringle, Melbourne Fringe Festival (Jess, Matt, Simon, Danny, Marline, Georgie and every single person who has helped put this festival on in some way), our Australian Cultural Fund supporters, Ryan Williams, Coburg West Primary School, Emmie, James & Massimo Grasso, Effie, Con, Peter & Olivia Vouloumanos, Kellie Hopkins & Joel, Alison Neville and you the audience for coming to support independent theatre.
