Neighbourhood Media Marrickville Magazine | October 2024 by Neighbourhood Media

HISTORY

A Long Forgotten Marrickville Cold Case

ARTISTS OF 2204

OxKing and Hestia’s Migration

HELLO Marrickvillians and welcome to our final 2204 Magazine of the year!

In this issue, we catch up with OxKing, artist behind the incredible Hestia’s Migration Mural commemorating the naming of Little Greece.

There’s a heap of community news, learn more about Re Place and how they are creating a more sustainable Inner West. We also dive into the new Marrickville North Entertainment Precinct, and the Purple Flag Precinct at Illawarra Road.

We meet local author, Sara Haddad and hear more about her new release - Song Bird. There’s a local Market Guide, Puzzles, a Local Business directory and more. Enjoy!

Re Place Inner West

COMMUNITY

Darcy Byrne Re-Elected

COMMUNITY

Illawarra Rd, The Purple Flag Precinct

HUMANS OF 2204

Local Author, Sara Haddad

ARTS

Meet Melissa Jones & Frantic Muse

COMMUNITY SHOP

Local Market Guide

The Neighbourhood Media Team

PUBLISHER - Neighbourhood Media

DESIGNER - Robert Everett

CONTRIBUTORS - Isabella Edwards, Jamie Apps, Tahney May, Adeline Teoh, Alec Smart, Rob Everett

COVER IMAGE ARTIST: OxKing

ADVERTISING - Georgie Pengelly - 0416 972 081

PUZZLES

Do you have all the answers?

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Shop local and support our incredible community traders!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Please support the advertisers that made this issue possible

ARTISTS OF 2204

The

Art of Storytelling and the Mural that Captured Marrickville’s Heart.

FFOR OxKing, art was always part of life, but it wasn’t until he began painting murals that his passion truly clicked. “I’ve been interested in art all my life, after high school, I studied film and animation at the Sydney College of the Arts, but I moved into painting and illustration after graduation.” Despite dabbling in different mediums, his love for painting murals blossomed when he started working on walls with friends. “Nothing really clicked until I started painting walls. Since then, I’ve been in love with it.”

The name OxKing has its own unique origins, drawn from a desire for something simple, yet symbolic. “It mainly comes from wanting to go by something straightforward, so I landed on OX. When I started painting letters, I needed a longer name, so I took it from a character in the Dragon Ball cartoon I watched as a kid.”

One of OxKing’s most iconic works is Hestia’s Migration, a mural he completed in 2021 to commemorate the renaming

of the area around Marrickville’s Alex Trevallion Plaza as “Little Greece.” Situated on the corner of Silver Street and Marrickville Lane, the mural celebrates the anniversary of Greek independence and the migrant story. Commissioned as part of the Inner West Council’s Perfect Match program, OxKing collaborated with the local Greek community to understand their history and incorporate their stories into the mural.

“Hestia, the goddess of Hearth and Home, is the central figure. In my fictional interpretation, she steps down from Mount Olympus and emigrates to Australia, becoming the goddess of Little Greece and watching over the families of Marrickville.” Surrounding Hestia are elements inspired by local stories, representing the broader Australian migrant experience.

The reaction from the local community was overwhelming. “People came up to me to talk about the elements they

recognised in the mural and what it meant to them, many older residents, especially those who immigrated in the 1960s, were deeply moved by the representation of their culture in a community they helped build.”

Creating a mural of this size came with its challenges. Spanning an entire wall, Hestia’s Migration took three weeks to complete. Luckily, the weather gods were on his side for the duration. Using a traditional grid system, he transferred the design from his concept drawing (which can now be seen on bins along Marrickville Road) to the massive wall. When talking about taking on a project of this size, his advice - “It’s all about sticking to the plan and painting section by section. It’s a lot of boring math.”

Despite some logistical hurdles, such as operating a boom lift in a narrow laneway bustling with delivery trucks and garbage pickups, OxKing found the experience rewarding. “You just have to be patient when you’re working in the streets.”

One prominent detail of the mural is the phrase «Freedom (1821) or Death,» a reference to the Greek War of Independence. “It was the 200th anniversary of the war when I painted the mural, and that motto became a symbol of the revolution.”

For OxKing, the project wasn’t just a commission; it was deeply personal. Having lived in Marrickville for many years, the area holds special meaning to him. “A lot of the artists I knew had studios there, and it was a great environment to be creative.” Now based in Wolli Creek, just a short drive away, he remains connected to the vibrant Marrickville community.

Looking ahead, OxKing has several exciting projects on the horizon. “I’m working with the new GREENWAY development near Stanmore later this year, and I’m always on the lookout for more walls to paint.” His passion for mural art continues to thrive, and he invites anyone with a blank wall in need of colour to reach out.

For more information, you can contact OxKing through his website at: oxking.com.au or email him directly at: ox@oxking.com

Don’t miss our final spring events

Sat 2 Nov Crown Street, Surry Hills

Sat 9 Nov Harris Street, Pyrmont Sat 16 Nov Redfern Street, Redfern

TRUE CRIME

By Elliot Lindsay

FThe recent conviction of Chris Dawson for the 1982 murder of his wife, Lynette, has captivated Australia, bringing renewed attention to cold cases that have lingered unsolved for decades. Inspired by this breakthrough, David Mackey and his wife, Sandie, decided to investigate their own family’s tragic mystery—the disappearance of David’s great-grandmother, Florence Lilian Jarman, in 1952.

FLORENCE vanished from her home at 24 Gordon Street, Marrickville, a small brick cottage with a red iron roof, over 70 years ago. Despite a police investigation and family suspicions, her case remains unsolved. As David and Sandie have uncovered more details about her disappearance, questions surrounding Florence’s husband, Bill Jarman, and the sudden death of John Scully, the man they shared the house with, have come to light.

A QUIET LIFE SHATTERED

Born in 1890, Florence Jarman (née Akers) lived a relatively quiet life until her world was turned upside down in 1952. She married Bill Jarman in 1948, and they moved into 24 Gordon Street, a property owned by John Scully, who had lived there since 1916. The story passed down through the family claimed that Florence and Bill had moved in to care for Scully, who was said to be Bill’s ailing stepfather. But Sandie’s research revealed that this was untrue—Bill and John Scully were both born in 1879 and were not related by blood or marriage. This revelation cast doubt on the reasons behind their living arrangement and raised suspicions about Bill’s motives.

On February 23, 1952, the day Florence disappeared, she had dressed in a floral dress and a fawn-striped coat for her eldest daughter Doris’s 37th birthday (David’s grandmother). Florence was last seen going to bed at 8 pm. Bill claims she kissed him before going to bed; however,

when he checked on her the following day at 7 am, she was gone.

THE INVESTIGATION STALLS

Florence’s room was undisturbed. Her jewellery, reading glasses, and £100 in cash were still there, yet there was no sign of her or the floral dress. Despite the police investigation, which included digging up the property’s backyard and circulating her description nationwide, no clues emerged. Florence had simply vanished.

A particularly chilling detail comes from David’s mother, Trish, who recalls staying at 24 Gordon Street as a child. She used to sleep in the bed with her grandmother, Florence. One night, Florence led Trish to a drawer in her bedroom and showed her a sum of cash, telling her that if anything ever happened to her, that was where to find the money. That very sum was found by police after Florence’s disappearance, adding an ominous tone to the case, as if Florence had sensed the possibility of danger.

Adding to the mystery, John Scully died the day after Florence’s disappearance, on February 24, 1952. Scully, who had been unwell for some time, was cremated privately just two days later, preventing any autopsy that might have revealed the cause of death. The timing of these events raised questions—had Florence witnessed something she was not supposed to? Did her disappearance and Scully’s sudden death somehow connect?

A CONVENIENT INHERITANCE

After Scully’s death and Florence’s presumed disappearance, Bill Jarman inherited the house at 24 Gordon Street. Bill and Florence had been named executors of Scully’s will, and with Florence out of the picture, Bill assumed complete control of the property. He lived there until he died in 1965. This convenient inheritance fuelled suspicions about Bill’s potential involvement in Florence’s fate. Family rumours circulated for years that Bill may have had a hand in her disappearance, with some speculating that he had disposed of her body in the nearby Cook’s River.

While there was no direct evidence, Bill’s behaviour after Florence’s disappearance left many uneasy. He reportedly complained about police attention but seemed detached from the efforts to find his missing wife.

THE MCCABES: A LINGERING MYSTERY

Shortly after Florence disappeared, Bill’s acquaintances, the McCabes, took it upon themselves to clear her possessions from the house. Their quick involvement in removing her belongings raised suspicions among Florence’s family. Adding to this was the discovery of Florence’s personal papers scattered in a lane behind the house. Though no direct allegations have been made against the McCabes, their swift presence and actions have left family members wondering whether they knew more about Bill’s relationship with John Scully or the events surrounding Florence’s disappearance. Any insight the McCabes could provide would be of great interest, particularly given their role in the immediate aftermath.

A WEB OF SECRETS

The connection between Florence’s disappearance and John Scully’s sudden death remains one of the most perplexing aspects of this case. Scully’s rapid cremation and the lack of an autopsy prevent any definitive answers. Still, the possibility remains that Bill hastened Scully’s death to take control of the house or cover up something more sinister. Florence’s vanishing the night before Scully’s death, combined with leaving all her belongings behind, points to the possibility that she may have known too much.

A COMMUNITY CALL FOR ANSWERS

David Mackey grew up with fragments of this haunting story, which has never fully been explained. His investigation and Sandie’s research have brought new attention to the case, but many questions remain unanswered. Was Bill Jarman involved in Florence’s disappearance? Was there something suspicious about John Scully’s death? What role, if any, did the McCabes play?

The Marrickville community holds an essential place in this mystery. The cottage at 24 Gordon Street still stands, a quiet witness to events long forgotten by the public. David and Sandie hope that someone in the local community, particularly those who lived in the area at the time, might hold the key to unlocking what happened to Florence.

If anyone has information about Bill Jarman, John Scully, or the events at 24 Gordon Street in 1952, David and Sandie encourage them to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help solve a mystery that has plagued their family for generations and finally provide justice for Florence Jarman.

COMMUNITY

NNESTLED in the heart of the Inner West community (Summer Hill) for the past 18 months, Re Place is more than your average thrift store; it’s a vibrant hub of sustainability, run by the dynamic duo Bindi Lea and Leyne Elbourne, alongside the invaluable Roz Palmer.

But we can’t forget the real stars of the show - more than 30 enthusiastic volunteers, each contributing their time and talents to keep the wheels of this eco-friendly enterprise turning.

At Re Place, the mission is as clear as a freshly laundered shirt: circular clothing and textiles. Re Place accept unwanted or damaged items, ensuring they don’t become fabric casualties in a landfill. The team meticulously sorts through every piece that comes in, categorising them into three piles: reuse, repurpose, and recycle. For Locals, recycling and repurposing comes with a small fee, but dropping off reusable items is absolutely free.

A favourite function of this preloved clothing warehouse are the efforts to keep high-quality fashion accessible to everyone. By making clothing affordable, Re Place are encouraging more people to choose secondhand options over fast fashion, keeping textiles circulating and out of landfills.

And all items are priced under $20 - wonderful news in today’s challenging economy!

But that’s not all! The team at Re Place offers free workshops, valuable advice and vouchers for clothing to further support our community. You can even find them giving away free clothes, from overstocked activewear to gently worn items with minor imperfections - each ready for a little TLC, so they can continue their journey in someone else’s wardrobe.

Want to get involved? You can shop at Re Place or simply engage online. Liking, commenting, and sharing posts helps spread the word and attract more fashion-savvy shoppers.

Re Place, The Sustainability Hub, 7 Prospect Rd, Summer Hill, 2130 re-place.org.au/ replaceinnerwest/ re_place_inner_west/ Reviving Fashion, One

COMMUNITY

Image: Vic on the Park Source: Concrete Playground, August 2023

ENew Marrickville North Entertainment Precinct proposed.

ENMORE was recently voted in Time Out’s top 20 coolest suburbs in the world after the categorisation of Enmore Road as a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP). However, that victory may be short-lived because Marrickville North is coming for the title with the opening of our very own SEP!

The Marrickville North precinct is one of six new Special Entertainment Precincts planned for Inner West suburbs, including Dulwich Hill and Balmain. According to the Inner West Council, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill lead the way in community support, with over 80% of those surveyed demonstrating high support for a new precinct, closely followed by 70% in other Inner West suburbs.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCT?

Special Entertainment Precincts are areas specifically managed to promote safe and engaging entertainment environments. These precincts provide greater access to spaces for local artists as well as supporting local businesses and sustaining a healthy nightlife in our suburbs.

This includes extended trading hours for venues with live music, approval for later outdoor dining, and the ability for all main street businesses to host small-scale artistic and cultural events without the need for a development application.

The six new Inner West Special Entertainment Precincts will be:

• BALMAIN (Darling Street)

• DULWICH HILL (Marrickville Road and New Canterbury Road)

• LEICHHARDT (Norton Street and Parramatta Road)

• MARRICKVILLE NORTH (Victoria and Addison Road)

• MARRICKVILLE TOWN CENTRE (Railway Parade, Marrickville Road and Illawarra Road)

• ROZELLE (Darling Street and Victoria Road)

Most notably, however, SEP status will reduce the number of government agencies policing Inner West complaints to just one agency.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne is enthusiastic about the six new Special Entertainment Precincts. In a statement, he said, “The Inner West is the beating heart of Sydney’s live music scene and we want to spread the success of what we’ve done in Enmore throughout the Inner West.

“Our council is committed to bolstering our creative community. From White Bay Power Station as a performance venue, to opening our Town Halls to our creative industry at no charge, we want life and culture in our community.

“Allowing live music and performances in all main street shops and legalising performances in bookshops, cafés, and restaurants could increase the availability of affordable spaces for young and emerging artists to perform and develop their craft, as well as attracting customers to those businesses.

“It’s a win for artists, local businesses and the community.”

For more information on Special Entertainment Precincts, head to: innerwest.nsw.gov.au

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COMMUNITY

Tthe state government has likened the Purple Flag initiative to surf-life saving flags: “Just as beachgoers look for red and yellow flags to know where it is safest to swim, the Purple Flag program provides similar guidance when it comes to going out after the sun goes down”.

A key initiative in the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy, Commissioner Michael Rodrigues had this to say about Marrickville’s new Purple Flag area:

“I am excited to welcome the Illawarra and Marrickville Road precinct to the Purple Flag family. This is the fourth district now accredited in Sydney and marks the conclusion of our pilot program which highlight’s the diversity of Sydney’s going out offering.

“From Parramatta’s Eat Street and YCK Laneways’ small bars to Haldon St Lakemba made famous through the celebration of Ramadan, and now Marrickville’s live music precinct.”

Purple Flag accredited areas must comply with a comprehensive list of criteria before being granted the prestigious status. This includes responsible guardianship, customer care and concern for community health. As well as safe, affordable, well-managed late-night public transport, including adequate provision for taxi, ride share and other on-demand drop-off and pick-up services.

It’s not only punters looking for an excellent evening that benefit from the Purple Flag; local businesses have a lot to gain as well. The NSW scheme expects businesses to see an increase in patronage as the Purple Flag becomes a more recognisable symbol in Sydney night-trade.

Whether you’re popping in to pick up a bottle of bubbles or relaxing with a cold local brew in their front bar, Thirstville Bottleshop and Bar has quickly become a community staple since their opening in 2016. The venue is sure to be enjoyed

by more Sydneysiders now that the area has gained it’s Purple Flag. We spoke with store manager Imogen Murphy who said;

“Marrickville Road becoming accredited as a Purple Flag district is motivational but for Illawarra Road to be included is complimentary to all the work the small businesses down here have put in- those who have persevered and to those who have seen the potential in this part of the world.

This accreditation allows us to continue to strive for the ‘bigger picture’ in Sydney’s economy. Food offerings, wholesome beverages, art and creation. It has reinforced that good old neighbourly hospitality is celebrated not just locally but globally”

Similarly, Marrickville Purple Flag representative and Lazy Bones Lounge co-owner Craig Pietersen told the State Government:

“We have been operating on the corner of Illawarra and Marrickville Roads for 11 years. We’ve watched this precinct change and grow overtime into a place that people love coming to visit.

“From our multicultural dining destinations to our live music hotspots, we are excited to have achieved Purple Flag status and look forward to showing visitors andlocals alike what makes Illawarra and Marrickville Roads a great place to be at night.”

The Marrickville area was the last of four pilot precincts in Sydney – the program is now being rolled out state-wide and we can expect more NSW areas to be waving the Purple Flag soon!

To read more about the Purple Flag initiative, visit: nsw.gov.au and search “Purple Flag”.

Image: Sydney Travel Guide, 2024

HUMANS OF 2204

By Adeline Teoh

Sara Haddad is a LebaneseAustralian writer and editor who has worked in publishing for over three decades. Her recentlyreleased debut novel, The Sunbird, tells the story of Nabila Yasmeen, an elderly refugee from Palestine, who was driven out of her village in June 1948 along with her family, friends and compatriots during The Nakba.

TTHE book, which esteemed writer Thomas Kenneally (Schindler’s List) complimented as ‘splendidly paced’, is described as “a modern parable which tells the story of millions who just want to go home.”

Neighbourhood Media caught up with Sara to learn more.

The Sunbird is described as a parable for Palestine. What inspired you to write this book, and why did you choose the parable format to convey your message?

Justice, freedom, and self-determination for Palestine and Palestinians is something I’ve supported for a long time. I’ve spent many years encountering people who are misinformed about Palestine, or simply not interested. It’s extremely frustrating because our collective response to Palestine is one of the greatest moral failures ever. I didn’t set out to write a parable, but I needed a word to describe what I had written.

The Sunbird as a symbol is quite evocative. Can you tell us more about the significance of the sunbird in the context of your story?

There are many symbols of Palestinian culture and resistance in the story and the sunbird is one of them. One of the first things I wrote for the story was my main character, Nabila, lying in bed listening to bird song. I decided early on that Nabila had an affinity with birds, and Nabila herself is birdlike, physically and habitually. When I imagined her perching on the window ledge watching her teacher, I researched birds that are indigenous to Palestine and discovered that the Palestine Sunbird became the national bird in 2015, so Nabila quickly became the sunbird.

You’ve previously said that you wrote The Sunbird to raise awareness and to educate. Which books and writers have you looked to for education?

Many experts on Palestine – Ilan Pappé, Rosemary Saigh, Edward Said, and Noam Chomsky, for example. Norman Finkelstein is excellent too.

How does your personal connection to Palestine

influence your storytelling, and in what ways is The Sunbird a reflection of your own experiences or family history?

I was brought up in an extended Lebanese family who first became engaged with the issue of Palestine in 1967, which was the year I was born. So I grew up learning about Palestine and being certain that the only position to have was one that supported Palestinian liberation and selfdetermination. I also grew up with stories of village life in the Levant and Arab migrants in Australia in the late 1940s. The character of Nabila is inspired by my father’s five sisters, three of whom I spent a lot of time with as I was growing up.

Parables often carry a universal message. What broader human experiences or emotions do you hope The Sunbird speaks to?

Above all, I hope The Sunbird connects people with their humanity, so that they realise we are all human, with the same insecurities and joys, hopes, and fears.

The landscape and setting play a significant role in The Sunbird. How important was it for you to evoke a strong sense of place?

Very, very important. It is essential that the reader is completely immersed in Nabila’s world, both the world of her present and the world of her past – her homeland – to understand what she has lost, and how that determines and shapes everything in her life.

Were there any challenges you faced when distilling such a complex political and historical situation into a simplified, allegorical form?

The biggest challenge was distilling the volume of information into something digestible. The situation is far less complex than it is made out to be. I found a great degree of overlap in the details of peoples’ personal anecdotes, which helped to create one story out of many.

How do you think literature and storytelling can contribute to greater understanding and empathy

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for the Palestinian experience, especially for readers unfamiliar with the conflict?

Literature and storytelling are uniquely placed to engender empathy. Over many decades, the true story of Palestine has been hidden and manipulated to reframe Palestinians as somehow undeserving, less than human. Fiction is a safe space where it’s possible to confront the things you’re afraid of and still know you’ll be ok.

You’re not only an author but an advocate for Palestine. How do you balance your roles as a storyteller and an activist, and how do the two intersect in your work?

The Sunbird is first and foremost a work of activism because it aims to educate and raise awareness. But it’s also art because fiction is my medium. As I was writing the story, front-of-mind was Arundhati Roy’s call to ‘Use your art to fight’. So that’s what I’ve attempted to do with The Sunbird, to use my art to fight. Art and activism are completely interwoven in this book. Both come from a place of deep love.

How hard was it to condense the story of so many lives into a book of less than 100 pages?

In some ways, not very difficult at all. I read and listened to a lot of oral history, people talking about their experiences of the Nakba, the ‘catastrophe’, the ethnic cleansing that was carried out in Palestine from 1947 to 1949. There were so many similarities in the stories because of Plan Dalet, which contained the guidelines that determined how the Zionist militia expelled Palestinians from their villages.

Can you tell me about some of your favourite books?

One of my favourite books is Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy. Some favourite books over recent years include Tara June Winch’s The Yield, Bernadine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other, and Damon Galgut’s The Promise.

Are there any authors who have inspired you as a writer?

With regard to inspirations for The Sunbird, Claire Keegan was a definite inspiration. Her writing is so spare but captures so much nuance.

What are your hopes for the future of Palestine, and how do you envision the role of writers and artists in shaping that future?

My hope is that Palestine receives the justice it deserves and has been denied for so long. I hope that all Palestinians, wherever they are, are able to return to Palestine and live in their country freely and without fear.

The locals in Marrickville and Inner Sydney are a talented bunch - check out these incredible events coming up in the next few months.

THE JACKSON Spring/Summer Series

This season, The Jackson superyacht is turning up the heat with a stellar lineup of luxury events on Sydney Harbour. Start your weekend with the iconic Chandon Harbour Long Lunch, where you’ll indulge in a leisurely afternoon filled with sparkling Chandon, mouth-watering dishes, and stunning harbour views.

For an elevated dining experience, join us at the Jackson Dinner by Nelly Robinson, where the acclaimed chef brings his innovative flair to the water with a multi-

course feast that’s a true celebration of flavours.

And when the sun is shining, there’s no better way to celebrate than with Veuve Clicquot in the Sun. Dance the day away to the beats of Sydney’s hottest DJs, enjoy Clicquot-inspired canapés, and toast to the good life with champagne in hand. Secure your spot aboard Sydney’s most talked-about superyacht and let the celebrations begin, book your tickets here: thejackson.com.au/ ticketed-events

THE

IRON GATE TATTOO CONVENTION Hordern Pavilion, Nov 1 - 3

US/THEM

Flight Path Theatre, 7:30pm, Nov 5-9

This year, The Iron Gate Tattoo Convention has raised the bar even higher, expect nothing less than the highest quality tattoo work across a wide range of styles. Whether you’re a seasoned tattoo enthusiast or looking to get your first piece, we’ve gathered the best artists in each style just for you. The Iron Gate is more than just getting tattooed— it’s about joining a vibrant community of artists, collectors, and enthusiasts.

Want to get tattooed at the event? Reach out directly to your preferred artist to enquire about availability and book a session. Special artists will also be doing walkups across the three days, offering a unique chance to get tattooed without prior booking. With less than a month to go, now’s the time to secure your place at The Iron Gate 2024 and get ready for something truly special as they bring you The Year of the Dragon!

Originally conceived for the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016, Carly Wijs’ play Us/Them is more relevant today than ever before, while the world pulls itself apart at the seams, leaving the innocents to suffer and pick up the pieces in the aftermath. It is a story about terrorism made for children, and as Carly says “Discussing the topic of terrorism with children is a challenge, but it can be done. And it must be done”. These are stories that must be told, and Us/ Them tells it through the voices of Boy and Girl, two kids so excited for their first day back at School Number One - which everyone knows, is the best school in the region. Book your tickets here: flightpaththeatre.org/whats-on/usand-them

ARTS

ALEXANDER GAVRYLYUK IN RECITAL

City Recital Hall, 7pm, Nov 6

Described by the New York Times as “a world-class pianist playing at his absolute best,” Alexander Gavrylyuk returns to City Recital Hall to perform a masterful program featuring Mozart’s Rondo in D, Chopin’s Ballade No. 2, Nocturne in C minor, Fantaisie-impromptu, and Scherzo No. 1, followed by Debussy’s 2 Arabesques and Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata No. 2.

This recital offers a rare opportunity to experience Gavrylyuk’s exceptional artistry and profound musical insight. Secure your seats today for an unforgettable evening of classical music. Book your tickets here: cityrecital.ink/gavrylyuk-in-recital

THE INHERITANCE PART 1 & 2

Seymour Centre, Nov 7 - 24

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKET Carriageworks, Nov 15 -17

The Finders Keepers Sydney Design Market is back for its second instalment in 2024. The popular event takes place on Friday 15th of Nov (4-9pm) and Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th (10am - 5pm). Check out more than 150+ of Australia’s best designers, makers and foodies across a three-day festival-style event.

This is the place to connect and celebrate creativity. The Finders Keepers is more than Australia’s favourite design market - they’re growing the mindfully made, thoughtfully bought revolution, with you. Book your tickets here: thefinderskeepers.com/sydney-markets

SMARTFONE FLICKFEST

Palace Chauvel Cinema, Nov 16 & 17

Australia’s own international short film festival for movies shot entirely on phones has again drawn hundreds of entries from around the world. And the best of the best – in six categories – will be screened live at the Palace Chauvel Cinema, Paddington in Sydney on the weekend of 16-17 November. Come and be inspired by incredible films all shot on the camera in your pocket during SF3’s 10th season. Book your tickets: https://events.humanitix. com/the-10th-annual-smartfone-flick-fest-sf3

Matthew Lopez’s epic play, The Inheritance (directed by Shane Anthony), reimagines E.M. Forster’s Howards End as a contemporary portrait of New York’s gay community. A story of survival, legacy and love, The Inheritance investigates a circle of friends attempting to forge a future for themselves amid a turbulent and changing America.

Following hit seasons on the West End and Broadway, four Tony and four Olivier Awards including Best Play, this two-part epic finally makes its Sydney premiere starring a massive cast of thirteen brilliant performers. Seeing both parts in one day is an incredible theatrical experience. Double show days are available on weekends.

Same-day spots will sell fast, so book early and the promoters will be in touch with local dinner options between shows. Book your tickets here: seymourcentre. com/event/the-inheritance

SINGULAR VOICES: ANDY SHAUF

City Recital Hall, 8pm, Dec 11

Andy Shauf returns to Sydney in December for a very special solo show. Hailed as “a gifted storyteller” (NPR Music), Shauf writes albums that unfold like short fiction, full of colourful characters, fine details and a rich emotional depth. With his latest album, Norm, however, Shauf has slyly deconstructed and reshaped the style for which he’s been celebrated, elevating his songwriting with intricate layers and perspectives, challenging himself to find a new direction. Under the guise of an intoxicating collection of jazz-inflected romantic ballads, his storytelling has become decidedly more oblique, hinting at ominous situations and dark motivations. Book your tickets here: cityrecital.ink/ andy-shauf

LIVE THE SUPERYACHT LIFE ONBOARD THE JACKSON! WHERE LUXURY MEETS THE ULTIMATE PARTY VIBES

CHANDON HARBOUR LONG LUNCH

inclusions

• Up to 3.5-hours cruising stunning Sydney Harbour

• Long Lunch plus canapes on arrival

• Free-flowing Chandon Garden Spritz

• Live music to dance the afternoon away

select saturdays $175pp

MELBOURNE CUP ON THE HARBOUR

inclusions

• Up to 4-hours cruising stunning Sydney Harbour

• 3-Course Lunch Menu curated by Nelly Robinson

• Free-flowing Chandon Garden Spritz

• 5m LED Screens to catch LIVE Race Day action

• Entertainment throughout the day and DJ to party after the last race!

tuesday 5 november $175pp

VEUVE CLICQUOT IN THE SUN

inclusions

• Up to 3.5-hours cruising stunning Sydney Harbour

• Clicquot inspired canapes, oyster bar and gelato

• A glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival

• DJs to provide the perfect vibe

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By Alec Smart

By ALEC SMART

FActress and Producer Melissa Jones is founder of theatre company Frantic Muse Productions. Her debut theatre production, The House of Bernada Alba, which will be performed at Flow Studios in Camperdown from 2-17 November is directed by theatre veteran Kim Hardwick and features an allfemale cast of 10.

FIRST time producer Melissa Jones is excited to bring her debut offering to Camperdown. We discussed the forthcoming production with Melissa (but skirted around the Spanish Inquisition!).

In what era is The House of Bernada Alba set and how have you gone about creating the setting at Flow Studios?

“Flow Studios feels like it was made for The House of Bernada Alba. Director Kim Hardwick has a distinct vision for the play, and I know I am in remarkable hands with her at the helm.

“She definitely won’t be setting the piece in a certain time or culture. While there may be a nod to its Spanish provenience, I doubt we’ll see flamenco dancers or castanets! There will be music in this production and Rowan Yeomans and Elke Rea (both sound designers) have set the piece against a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.”

“There are 10 cast members who play 10 characters. Any other characters will be voiced off-stage or depicted through alternative theatre tropes. We have secured the most amazingly talented cast to depict Lorca’s all-female characters who navigate a world that demands conformity, sacrificing their desires for the sake of family honour and tradition, all of which are tyrannically enforced by the matriarch of the Alba family.

“Bernarda (who will be played by veteran of film, theatre and TV, Sarah Chadwick) embodies authoritarian control over her daughters’ lives by suppressing their individuality. Her oppressive reign highlights the struggle against patriarchal dominance.”

“I am so excited for this production, there is such a buzz about it!”

“To be born a woman is the worst punishment in the world” is the play’s title phrase. What is the context and its relationship to the story.

“During the playwright’s (Federico García Lorca) lifetime in early 20th-century Spain, gender roles were rigidly defined. Society placed men in positions of power while women were often relegated to domestic spheres. This strict division limited opportunities for personal expression and independence.

“Presumably he wrote Bernarda to represent Franco in the underlying simmer to the Spanish Civil War. As we delve into Lorca’s world, we uncover not just stories but also powerful commentaries on society itself - whispers from history that still echo today.

“I am so excited for this production, there is such a buzz about it! Lorca’s epic masterpiece of tyrannical oppression, sexual tension and desire asks the question: under their mother’s suffocating control and in the midst of grief for their late father, will the five Alba sisters be able to endure if Adela rebels for love and independence?”

10 ACTORS ARE INVOLVED.

Frantic Muse Productions endeavour to give a greater voice for female creatives. Does this mean you work primarily (exclusively?) with female scriptwriters and directors, and are all your principle actors women?

“Frantic Muse is all-inclusive but it did come about to create more opportunities for female creatives because quite frankly, we are an over-subscribed bunch. I think I created her (Frantic Muse) because I got tired of seeing an 85% male-identifying casting call most days. I birthed her out of the frustration of feeling there was a lack of opportunities for women of a certain age.”

Frantic Muse is an unusual name, it sounds like the title of an Alfred Hitchcock film. What was the inspiration?

“Funny you should ask that, I relaunched the branding for her (Frantic Muse) early last year and kicked off with a Hitchcock-inspired photoshoot. The name came about because I am always frantically trying to put art on, or busy writing, collaborating, performing or learning lines - as the founder of Frantic Muse the name came about quite organically.”

What other creative pursuits is Frantic Muse currently working on?

“I have a million things in the pipeline, some of which are

in pre-production and some which are at the idea stage. I have a vision to bring the story of the ‘Centaur’ to film. It’s a story few Australians are aware of. My great Uncle Andrew (Dick) Gunning perished on it along with hundreds of other medical and army personnel in the second world war, he was 22.

“It was controversial at the time because the Centaur was an Australian hospital ship (and clearly marked as such) and yet the Japanese torpedoed it under the cover of darkness (at 4.10am) without warning, off the coast of Brisbane. My Aunty Mary (Dick’s niece) has kept all his letters he had sent home to his mother days before he died, his words hold such hope for the future – it’s heartbreaking to read them.

“She recently handed everything over to me. So, I guess it’s a little promise I’ve made to her and an Uncle I’ve never met to honour his memory. It’s an ambitious idea, and we’d need a bucket load of funding for this one obviously, it’s not an ‘overnight’ kind of project – but I think there would be an audience for this.”

Any film or television work in the pipeline?

“Frantic Muse has three short films in the can – one is fully completed - ‘Chambers’ which I have collaborated with an amazing writer and director by the name of Matt Charleston on. The other two, ‘The Sapling’ is in postproduction and ‘The Art of Diplomacy’ is in pre-production. The latter two are collaborations with film-maker and director Kacey Baker of whom I am a huge fan.

“I’ve also written a 6-part TV series titled ‘A Second Spring’

that I am working on finding a home – I have two female producers onboard who are guiding me, one of which is fellow actor and friend Angel Cecil. A proof of concept is due to be filmed quarter one next year; again Kacey has signed on for this.

“It’s about a typical Australian couple, busy embarking on the journey of mid-life. Together they are navigating selfempowerment, second chances, infidelity, mid-life sexual awakenings and ... the BIG M! It’s a candidly refreshing deep dive into the dynamics of marriage, friendship circles and the people we inherit when we break up. A splice of married life through a forthright, hilarious and honest lens.”

THE HOUSE OF BERNADA ALBA

trybooking.com/events/landing/1285845

Performed at Flow Studios, 57 Denison St, Camperdown, 2050, from 2-17 November 2024.

FRANTIC MUSE franticmuse.com.au/ franticmuseproductions/ franticmusetheatre@gmail.com for further enquiries.

Trigger warning - themes include violence and self-harm. A replica firearm will be shown in the production.

121 Sydenham Rd

Marrickville 0402 110 025 enquiries@3lane.com.au

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CROSSWORD

Whose house is the theatre production by Frantic Muse set in?

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2. Whose house is the theatre production by Frantic Muse set in?

3. Greek Goddess Hestia appears in OxKings Marrickville Mural - what is

doing?

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