FANGIRLS - Program

Book, music & lyrics by Yve Blake

Vocal Arranger/Music Director Alice Chance Music Producer/Sound Designer David Muratore Dramaturg Jonathan Ware

Synopsis The new musical comedy about a poorly understood force of nature Meet Edna: She’s 14, she's fiercely smart, and according to her best friends: she's too immature. But what they say won't matter once her REAL life starts. With Harry.

There’s just one problem, Harry is in True Connection the world’s biggest boyband.

When True Connection announce a tour stop in Edna’s city, she realises that this is her one chance to meet Harry and convince him of their destiny. But just how far is she prepared to go in the name of love? Edna takes her devotion to unforeseen heights in this thrilling and hilarious musical comedy about first love, fan culture, and the danger of underestimating teenage girls.

This world premiere by gifted young comedian, singer and playwright Yve Blake is stacked with insanely catchy numbers that will take you straight back to your first crush and make you feel ALL THE FEELS.

‘[Yve Blake is] the girl next door with a wicked sense of humour and a serious pair of lungs.’

– London24

Although pop fandom has since become more complex and more selfdocumenting (few Beatles fans had cameras), the tropes of Beatlemania have recurred in fan crazes from the Bay City Rollers to Bros, East 17 to One Direction: the screaming, the queuing, the waiting, the longing, the trophy-collecting, the craving for even the briefest contact.

queensland theatre premiere Celebrity

Superfans

Romance

Yve Blake

A Belvoir and Brisbane Festival co-production in association with Australian Theatre for Young People Fangirls was originally commissioned by ATYP with the support of Global Creatures VENUE

CREATIVES

7 Sep — 5 Oct Bille Brown Theatre, Queensland Theatre

YVE BLAKE Book, Music & Lyrics/Edna

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION Fangirls will run for approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes including an interval.

DAVID MURATORE Music Producer/Sound Designer

WARNINGS This production contains strobe lighting, smoke and haze effects.

The use of photographic or recording equipment is not permitted inside the theatre.

JUSTIN HARRISON AV Designer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Queensland Theatre would like to acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CAST

RECYCLE THIS PROGRAM Support Greening Queensland Theatre and recycle this program after the performance in the recycling bins provided in the foyer.

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

PAIGE RATTRAY Director ALICE CHANCE Vocal Arranger/Music Director JONATHAN WARE Dramaturg DAVID FLEISCHER Designer EMMA VALENTE Lighting Designer LEONARD MICKELO Choreographer MICHAEL WATERS Sound Designer CARISSA LICCIARDELLO Associate Director ISABELLA KERDIJK Stage Manager KATIE MOORE Assistant Stage Manager

AYDAN Harry KIMBERLEY HODGSON Brianna CHIKA IKOGWE Jules AYESHA MADON Lily JAMES MAJOOS Saltypringl SHARON MILLERCHIP Caroline MELISSA RUSSO Swing Performer

AMY HUME Vocal Coach DOMINIC GUILFOYLE Stage Management Secondment

Cover Photo: Tim Jones

Queensland Theatre Government Partners

78 Montague Road, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101 Tel: 07 3010 7600 Fax: 07 3010 7699 Ticketing: 1800 355 528 mail@queenslandtheatre.com.au

QUEENSLAND THEATRE IS ASSISTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY. QUEENSLAND THEATRE IS SUPPORTED BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT THROUGH ARTS QUEENSLAND.

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Antigone Adapted by Merlynn Tong after Sophocles Directed by Travis Dowling

queensland theatre premiere

26 Oct — 16 Nov Bille Brown Theatre

The epic argument rages on

Welcome

Sam Strong Artistic Director

Amanda Jolly Executive Director

You know how passionate any given teenage girl is about Harry Styles? Multiply that by ten. That’s how passionate we are about bringing this new Australian musical to the stage.

Fangirls is the culmination of years of research, writing and living by performer, writer and composer Yve Blake. It all started with the moment her friend’s little cousin confided that she was so besotted with a boy band heartthrob that she would “slit someone’s throat to be with him”.

That one conversation propelled Yve down a rabbithole into another world, as she held interviews with hundreds of teenage fangirls, seeking to understand what lay behind those primal screams when people were confronted with the object of their devotion.

Yve has described the resulting musical as “a Beyonce concert, meets rave, meets church”.

It’s all those things and more, but it’s also, crucially, a bold new voice in the landscape of Australian theatre. It’s the story of these young people on their own terms and in their own words - which also happens to be the voice of the staggeringly young, staggeringly talented creative team behind the show. They’ve brought an incredible energy to Queensland Theatre headquarters, and we’re proud that this show is another in the first batch of world premieres for the Bille Brown Theatre.

If it takes a small town to raise a new play, then it takes a small city to bring a new musical into the world. It would be impossible to put on such a show without dedicated support and this has been a group effort. Standing sentinel in the background, like the dedicated parents who taxi their teenagers to concerts, have been our production partners Belvoir and Brisbane Festival. And bopping alongside this show since the beginning has been the tireless Australian Theatre for Young People, who originally commissioned and developed this work with the support of Global Creatures.

This is the story of a misunderstood but powerful group of young women, but it’s your story, too, no matter who you are. Whether you screamed for One Direction when they dropped their latest single, or you screamed for The Beatles when they closed out their world tour at Brisbane’s Festival Hall in 1964, or you barracked for the Maroons last State of Origin until you went hoarse, or you’ve simply cried during a movie - we are all Fangirls.

Never apologise for loving what you love.

Get ready for the most fun you will have in any theatre in 2019.

Sam and Amanda

Writer's Note This show isn’t just for Fangirls. It’s for Fans who aren’t

‘girls’, former fans, parents of fans, and for people who’ve never heard the word ‘Fangirl’ in their life. But it’s also

for my 14-year-old self, so I need to address this to her: Yve Blake Writer

Hi girl, it’s future you. First up: I know, acne sucks. Guess what? It’s going to stick around way into your twenties. But I promise you’ll stop feeling like it defines you.

I know you’re terrified all the time, and I know that you hate yourself. But guess what? I don’t hate you. I think you’re so powerful in all these ways that you haven’t realised yet.

I know that right now you feel like the most powerful and interesting thing that you could be is hot. And that’s scary, because, what even is ‘hot’? Is it hot to be smart? To have ambition? To express your ideas? Or is that only true if you’re a boy?

Future you will write a whole show about exactly this. It’s the show of your 14-year-old dreams.

It’s like a play that’s also the best pop concert you’ve never been to and the stage will literally be made of sparkles. Srsli.

It’s fair that you feel confused. As a girl, so much in this world has told you that your highest goal is to fall in love, and that this will have everything to do with how you look and not who you are. But screw that.

You know how you saw The Seed at Belvoir?

Written by a woman? And now you want to be a playwright? Go for it. I know, 90% of the plays in the library are written by dudes, but read them anyway and do your own thing.

Also, I know your secret. I know you want to write songs too. Listen: even though your music teacher just asked you to drop the subject because you’re the bottom of the class and can’t play a single instrument: fear not! One day you’ll figure out how to write music on your computer and it won’t matter. So, be careful about believing people who tell you what you aren’t capable of, and keep recording made up songs into your flip phone.

Celebrity

Superfans

Romance

So, don’t stress about your acne, your braces, or being hot. None of that really matters. But please, DO shower more frequently - and stop being such a brat to your mum, she’s the best.

PS Thanks to: the 70+ performers who have helped develop this show. To Jenni, Jane, and Louise: our story doulas. To ATYP and Rebel Wilson for being the OG supporters of this show. To Maido, the unsung hero of FANGIRLS. To Paige for showing me who I REALLY wanna be when I grow up and to Claire, Batman, Avi, Maz, Tim, Lee, Lachlan, Jewel, Clare and Scott: you know what you did. Most of all to Johnny, Dave and Alice: we’ve grown up together making this. You began as my collaborators and you became my muses. Thank you for this adventure.

PPS Mum, Dad, Furby & Caroline: This is dedicated to you.

Sharon Millerchip, Chika Ikogwe, Yve Blake, James Majoos, Kimberley Hodgson

Aydan

Yve Blake

Sharon Millerchip, James Majoos, Yve Blake, Chika Ikogwe, Kimberley Hodgson

Carissa Licciardello

James Majoos

Alice Chance

Yve Blake BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS / EDNA Born and raised in Sydney, Yve Blake is an award winning writer, composer and comedian. She is an alumni of the Royal Court Writers’ Programme and has completed residencies with Griffin Theatre, The ATYP National Studio, Old Vic New Voices, the Barbican, The National Theatre and Princeton University. Her debut play Sugar Sugar premiered at MKA in 2015, and Yve has also created several internationally touring solo shows, including the acclaimed THEN which played to sold out crowds at the Soho Theatre in London. She was the recipient of the 2016 Rebel Wilson Theatre-maker scholarship at ATYP and a member of the 2017 Belvoir Artists’ Workshop. Yve was one of just 17 speakers at TEDxSydney 2019, and has also spoken at Women of the World Festival 2018 at London’s Southbank Centre. Yve is currently adapting Fangirls into a series with Clerkenwell Films (Misfits, The End of the F***ing World) in London, co-writing a screenplay for Aquarius Films (Lion), adapting an Aussie kids book into a musical, and developing a podcast musical about Mary Wollstonecraft.

Alice Chance VOCAL ARRANGER/MUSIC DIRECTOR Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Vocal Arranger/Music Director: ATYP: Fangirls (Showcase); Women of The World Festival London: Fangirls (Showcase); Adelaide Cabaret Festival: Fangirls (Showcase). As Composer: Sydney Festival: The Audience Choir; For Companies: Ensemble Offspring, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Children’s Choir, Moorambilla Voices, The Kodaly Association, Adelaide Chamber Singers, Voices of Birralee, The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Musica Viva, the University of Technology Sydney, Acacia String Quartet, The Song Company.

Film: Wide Open Sky. Television: Outback Choir. Awards: APRA Art Music Awards Finalist – Vocal/Choral Work of the Year The Audience Choir. Positions: Composer in Residence, Willoughby Symphony (2020); Associate Artist, Barangaroo NSW; Composer in Residence, Sydney Children’s Choir (2016); Composer in Residence, Moorambilla Festival (2013-18).

Training: First Class Honours, Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

David Muratore Paige Rattray DIRECTOR Queensland Theatre: Hedda, Scenes from a Marriage, Switzerland. Other Credits: Sydney Theatre Company: As Director: How To Rule The World, Black is the New White (2018 Tour), Australian Graffiti, Black is the New White (2017), Power Plays, Boys Will Be Boys, Rough Draft #13: Underland. As Dramaturg: The Golden Age. As Assistant Director: Speed-the-Plow, Arms and the Man, Battle of Waterloo, Travelling North; ARTHUR: Bright World (with Theatre Works), The Sea Project, Return to Earth (with Griffin Independent), The Myth Project: Twin (with Melbourne Theatre Company NEON), The Mesh (with Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre) The Midlands, The Sea Project (with Mudlark), Dirtyland (with The Spare Room), Cut Snake, Waltzing Woolloomooloo: The Tale of Frankie Jones; Griffin Theatre Company: Heartbreak Hotel; Milk Crate Theatre: This House is Mine; ATYP: Out of Place, Bronte; Carriageworks/ Serenity Productions: Bill W and Dr Bob; NIDA: The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Blessed Are The Wild. Positions: Associate Director, Sydney Theatre Company (2018-19); Associate Artistic Director, Queensland Theatre (2017-18); Richard Wherrett Fellow, Sydney Theatre Company (2015-16); Co-Founder, ARTHUR; Resident Director, Griffin Theatre Company (2011); Affiliate Director, Griffin Theatre (2010). Awards: Matilda Award – Best Production Switzerland; Drama Victoria – Best Performance by a Theatre Company – VCE Drama Cut Snake; Gloria’s Fellowship; Mike Walsh Fellowship. Training: NIDA.

MUSIC PRODUCER/SOUND DESIGNER Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Various as a record and electronic music producer, sound designer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Jonathan Ware DRAMATURG Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Dramaturg: New Musicals Australia: Match of the Century; Adelaide Cabaret Festival: Fangirls. As Workshop Stage Manager: Sonia Friedman Productions: Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical, Sunny Afternoon, Shakespeare in Love (with Disney Theatrical Productions). Positions: Artistic Administrator, Executive Assistant, Sydney Theatre Company; Advisory Panel, New Musicals Australia; Executive Assistant, Digital Theatre; Development Intern, Sonia Friedman Productions. Training: Masters of Dramaturgy, Bachelor of Production, VCA; Juris Doctor (partial), Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne.

David Fleischer

Justin Harrison

DESIGNER

AV DESIGNER

Queensland Theatre: Hedda, Scenes from a Marriage. Other Credits: Opera Australia: Aida On The Beach; Sydney Theatre Company: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Top Girls, Harp in the South, Saint Joan, Australian Graffiti, Chimerica, The Golden Age, Speed The Plow, Power Plays, Love And Information (with Malthouse Theatre Company), Boys will be boys, Travelling North, Mojo, Children of The Sun, Calpurnia Descending, Romeo and Juliet, Machinal, Fury, Little Mercy, Marriage Blanc; Sydney Chamber Opera: The Rape Of Lucretia; Sydney Dance Company: ab [intra], Orb; Pinchgut Opera: L’amant Jaloux, Griselda; Belvoir: Hedda Gabler; Form Dance Projects: Safety In Numbers; Griffin Theatre Company: Between Two Waves; ARTHUR: The Sea Project, The Brothers Size; Darlinghurst Theatre: 10,000 Beers, No Way To Treat A Lady, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman; Carriageworks/Serenity Productions: Bill W. and Dr Bob; Downstairs Belvoir: Woyzeck; New Theatre: Dirtyland; Milkcrate Theatre: Intersection; Three Fish Productions: Der Gelbe Stern.

Positions: Associate Designer, UNDER MILK WOOD; Resident Designer, Sydney Theatre Company (2012-2013). Training: NIDA.

Queensland Theatre: As Projection Designer: Storm Boy (with Melbourne Theatre Company), The Wider Earth (with Dead Puppet Society). As Sound and Projection Designer: Death of a Salesman, My Name is Jimi, Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, The Landmine is Me, The 7 Stages of Grieving (with The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe), Orbit. As Sound Designer: The Shot, 600 Ways to Filter a Sunset, Love and Information, Riley Valentine and the Occupation of Fort Svalbard, Much Ado About Nothing, Country Song. As AV Consultant: The Longest Minute, 39 Steps, Switzerland. Other Credits: Metro Arts/THAT Production Company: Kill Climate Deniers; Dead Puppet Society: The Wider Earth UK, Laser Beak Man (with Brisbane Festival and La Boite Theatre Company); QUT Creative Industries: 3 Winters; The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe: April’s Fool (redux), 7 Billion Friends, Ghosts of Down Under, Revolt, Inferno, EPIC, Romeo and Juliet Must Die, I Am Macbeth, Livid, Super/Natural, Heartfail, Island Home, Romeo and Juliet versus The World, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth versus The World. Film: This is Desmondo Ray!, Tailgate, The Little Things, Conscience for Cambodia. Television: ArtBites, MegaMechanics, Am I Perfect?, Snake Boss. Awards: Helpmann Awards Nomination (2018); Matilda Award (2016), Matilda Awards Nomination (2017); Brisbane Advertising and

Emma Valente LIGHTING DESIGNER Queensland Theatre: Hedda. Other Credits: As Director and Lighting Designer: THE RABBLE: My Dearworthy Darling, Unwoman, Lone, Joan, Cain and Abel, In The Bleak Midwinter, Deathly/ Death/ Dead, Frankenstein, Room of Regret, Story of O, Special, The Bedroom Project, Salome and Cageling, Night, Unwoman Part I & III. As Lighting Designer: Melbourne Theatre Company: Hungry Ghosts, The Golden Dragon, Story of O (NEON), Twin (NEON), Calamity! (NEON); Sydney Theatre Company: How to Rule The World, Testament of Mary, Manna; Malthouse Theatre: Little Emperors, Revolt She Said. Revolt Again; Belvoir: Wizard of Oz; Fraught Outfit: Exodus Part I; Arts House: Podium Dance; Arts Centre Melbourne: More Female Parts; ARTHUR | Theatre Works: Bright World; Terrapin Puppet Theatre: When the Pictures Came; Women’s Circus: Here; La Mama: Bare Witness; Griffin Theatre Company: For a Better World; Ariette Taylor: The Lower Depths. As Teaching Artist: MTC Education and DECV: In And Out of Worlds.

Positions: Co-Artistic Director, THE RABBLE; Dramaturgy and Performance Making Teacher, Monash University.

Design Club (2018, 2015), Brisbane Advertising and Design Club Nomination (2017). Training: Bachelor of Film and Screen Media Production, Griffith University.

Leonard Mickelo CHOREOGRAPHER Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Choreographer: HIT Productions: The Sapphires. As Dancer: Bangarra Dance Theatre: Moth, Kinship – Brolga/ID, Patyegarang, Terrain, Blak; Michael Cassel Group: Priscilla – Queen of the Desert. Training: The Southern Academy of Dance.

Michael Waters

Isabella Kerdijk

SOUND DESIGNER

STAGE MANAGER

Queensland Theatre: Twelfth Night, Ladies in Black. Other Credits: As Sound Designer: Global Creatures: Muriel’s Wedding; Opera Australia: The Rabbits, My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, The King And I, Orpheus In The Underworld; The Gordon Frost Organisation: Saturday Night Fever, Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Annie, Doctor Zhivago (World Premiere); Louise Withers & Associates: Mamma Mia!; TML: Fiddler On The Roof; Dainty Consolidated Entertainment: Singin’ In The Rain, Hugh Jackman’s Broadway To Oz; Ben Gannon: The Boy From Oz; Backrow Productions: Priscilla - Queen of The Desert (World Premiere); NewTheatricals: The Woman In Black; Dennis Smith: Dusty – The Original Pop Diva (World Premiere); Jacobsen’s: Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage (World Premiere), DAE: Singin’ In The Rain. As Soundscape Designer: Dreamingful Productions: ATOMIC – The Musical (Australia, New York).

Awards: Helpmann Award - Best Sound Design Muriel’s Wedding, King and I, The Women In Black, Dusty - The Original Pop Diva; Helpmann Award - Best Sound Design Nominations Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, Boy From Oz (with Hugh Jackman), Singin’ In The Rain; Green Room Award - Best Sound Design My Fair Lady; Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage; Green Room Award Nominations - Best Sound Design

Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Stage Manager: Belvoir: Winyanboga Yurringa, Every Brilliant Thing, An Enemy of the People, The Sugar House , HIR, The Dog / The Cat, Girl Asleep, The Drover’s Wife, Jasper Jones, Mother Courage and Her Children, Kill the Messenger, The Glass Menagerie, 20 Questions, Stories I Want to Tell You in Person (National Tour); Griffin Theatre Company: The Smallest Hour, Replay, And No More Shall We Part, This Year’s Ashes, Ugly Mugs; Darlinghurst Theatre Company: Silent Night, Ride & Fourplay; Ensemble Theatre: Rainman, The Ruby Sunrise; Spiegelworld: Empire; Circus Oz: Cranked Up; LWAA: The Mousetrap; Legs on a Wall: Bubble. As Assistant Stage Manager: Belvoir: My Name Is Jimi (with Queensland Theatre), Thyestes (European Tours). As Production Coordinator: Opera Australia: Carmen. As Production Manager/Stage Manager: A-List Entertainment: Puppetry of the Penis. Training: NIDA.

The King and I, A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Forum, Saturday Night Fever.

Carissa Licciardello ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Katie Moore ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Black Swan State Theatre Company: The Torrents, Water, You Know We Belong Together, XENIDES, Assassins, Skylab, HIR; Rachel Arianne Ogle: Precipice; British Paraorchestra/PIAF: The Nature of Why. Events: Sydney Festival, Perth International Arts Festival. Training: BA Performing Arts, WAAPA.

Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Director: 25A Belvoir Downstairs/Glitterbomb: Extinction of the Learned Response, The Maids; The Old Fitz: The Telescope; New Theatre: The Chapel Perilous; Glitterbomb: A Period Piece (with Old 505), All That Glitters (with NIDA); NIDA: Huis Clos (No Exit) (with Actors Centre Australia), Reflect (with ACPA). As Assistant Director: Belvoir: Counting & Cracking (with Co-Curious, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival), Sami in Paradise, Ghosts. Positions: Andrew Cameron Fellowship, Belvoir. Training: NIDA. Aydan, Yve Blake

James Majoos, Ayesha Madon, Chika Ikogwe, Kimberley Hodgson, Yve Blake

Aydan

Paige Rattray

Melissa Russo

Ayesha Madon, Leonard Mickelo

Aydan

James Majoos

HARRY

SALTYPRINGL

Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Musician: Something About You, Dust. Television: Eurovision Australia Decides, The Voice, Australian’s Got Talent, Young Talent Time.

Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Melbourne Theatre Company: Vivid White; VCA: Into the Woods, A Chorus Line. Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Victoria College of the Arts. James is a proud member of Equity.

Kimberley Hodgson BRIANNA Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: As Understudy: Opera Australia: West Side Story; Disney: Aladdin the Musical; Harvest Rain: Into the Woods; Blake Entertainment: Rolling Thunder Vietnam; Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Almost Eurovision Experience. Film: Don’t Tell. Television: Harrow (Season 2). Awards: Matilda Award Nomination - Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Emerging Artist Into the Woods. Training: Bachelor of Musical Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University; Certificate IV in Musical Theatre, Queensland College of Performing Arts.

Chika Ikogwe JULES Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Belvoir: The Wolves; Old 505: Normal; NIDA: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Salem, The Country Wife, All that Glitters. Film: A Dream of a Shadow. Awards: BBM Youth Support Award for Performing Arts Recipient; Leslie Walford AM Award Recipient (2018). Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), NIDA; Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre Practice), Victoria College of the Arts.

Ayesha Madon LILY Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Australian Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet; Melbourne Theatre Company: Vivid White; VCA: Into the Woods, A Chorus Line. As Ensemble Cast: Arts Centre Melbourne: Morning Melodies.

Short Film: Twisted Tales. Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Victoria College of the Arts.

Sharon Millerchip CAROLINE Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: Darlinghurst Theatre: Small Mouth Sounds; Ensemble Theatre: Shirley Valentine, Bombshells, A Picasso, Last of the Red Hot Lovers; Gordon Frost Org: Chicago; Andrew Lloyd Webber: Phantom Of the Opera, Love Never Dies; Sydney Theatre Company: Into The Woods, Falsettos; Victorian Opera: West Side Story; The Production Company: Sweet Charity, They’re Playing our Song; Kookaburra: Pippin; Disney/Jacobson: Beauty and The Beast; New Theatricals: Rocky Horror Show. As Resident Director and Choreographer; Baz Lurhmann: Strictly Ballroom; Disney: Aladdin The Musical. Film: Kath and Kim. Television: Home and Away, Cops LAC, Spicks and Specks. Awards: Helpmann Awards - Best Female Actor in a Musical Chicago (Velma Kelly), Best Female Actor in a Musical Chicago (Roxie Hart), Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Rocky Horror Show; Sydney Theatre Awards - Best Leading Actress in a Musical Chicago, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Into the Woods; Sydney Theatre Awards Nomination - Best Leading Actress in a Play Bombshells.

Melissa Russo SWING PERFORMER Queensland Theatre: Debut. Other Credits: QPAC/Topol: Fiddler on the Roof; Echelon Productions: Super Duper!; Norwegian Cruise Line: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Burn the Floor; WAAPA: Bring It On, The Beautiful Game, The Drowsy Chaperone. As Ensemble Cast: Sydney Symphony Orchestra: Funny Girl: The Musical in Concert. Film: Three Summers, In Her Skin. Training: WAAPA.

Paige Rattray, Kimberley Hodgson, Chika Ikogwe, Ayesha Madon, James Majoos

Yve Blake, Aydan

James Majoos, Ayesha Madon

David Fleischer

PATRON His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Elizabeth Jameson (Chair) Rachel Crowley (Deputy Chair) Tracey Barker Simon Gallaher Angelina Hurley Susan Learmonth Dr Andrea Moor David Williamson AO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Sam Strong EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Jolly RESIDENT DRAMATURG Isaac Drandic EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Donna Maher DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Zoë Connolly SPECIAL PROJECTS Liz Prior PHILANTHROPY COORDINATOR Georgia Lynas DEVELOPMENT AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Felicity Clifford GRANTS AND COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR Hannah Barr FINANCE AND OPERATIONS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Valerie Cole ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT Georgia Knight FINANCE OFFICER Sarra Lamb OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES MANAGER Julian Messer VENUE AND BAR COORDINATOR Kimberley Mogg

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REHEARSAL PHOTOGRAPHY Brett Boardman

MARKETING AND TICKETING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Laura Oliver MARKETING COORDINATOR Maneka Singh MARKETING ASSISTANT Cinnamon Smith MARKETING ASSISTANT (DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT) Thomas Manton–Williams GRAPHIC DESIGNER Aleesha Cuffe PUBLICIST Kath Rose and Associates DATABASE TRAINER / SUPERVISOR Rory Killen TICKETING SUPERVISOR Madison Bell TICKETING OFFICER Rosie Hazell BOX OFFICE Madeline Bassetti, Chantelle Giles, Ashley Webster SEASON TICKETING Alana Dunn, Matthew Filkins, PJ Ieremia PRODUCTION DIRECTOR, TECHNICAL AND PRODUCTION Toni Glynn TECHNICAL COORDINATOR Daniel Maddison TECHNICAL COORDINATOR Lachlan Cross DEPUTY PRODUCTION MANAGER Candice Schmidt HEAD OF WORKSHOP Peter Sands COMPANY CARPENTER / HEAD MECHANIST John Pierce COSTUME SUPERVISOR Nathalie Ryner WARDROBE COORDINATOR Barbara Kerr

Queensland Theatre is a member of the Australian Major Performing Arts Group.

PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING Sophia Hall ARTISTIC COORDINATOR Samantha French PRODUCER, NEW WORK Shari Irwin ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATOR Hana Tow ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATOR Danielle Shankey YOUTH, EDUCATION AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR, YOUTH, EDUCATION AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT Laurel Collins ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Travis Dowling EDUCATION COORDINATOR Emma Funnell PROJECT OFFICER Alana Dunn INDIGENOUS REFERENCE GROUP Nathan Jarro (Chair), Jimi Bani, Isaac Drandic, Angelina Hurley FOUNDING DIRECTOR AIan Edwards, AM, MBE (1925-2003) QUEENSLAND THEATRE PRODUCTION STAFF FOH SOUND ENGINEER Matt Erskine RADIO MIC TECHNICIAN Michael Trevisan PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN Chris Goeldner COSTUME SUPERVISOR Madeline Taylor AV TECHNICIAN Derek Fraher COSTUME MAINTENANCE Jack Parry

Information correct at time of printing

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Erin Feros Sharyn Ghidella Glennis Gill & John Swinson Alan Galwey William Glasson AO & Claire Glasson Dr Sara Gollschewski Louise M Gourlay OAM Michael Gow Sue & Mike Gowan John Graham & Craig Syphers Tony Groom Alexandra Grove & Peter Dawson Catherine & Nanda Gulhane Sophia Hall Jim & Donna Hallam Andrew Hallam & Christine Bongers Alison Harrington Prof Lawrence Hirst Kevin & Joanne Holyoak Sue Hunt Samantha & Darren Jansen Robert Kemp Tempe Keune The Kirkwood Family Damien Klarwein Dr Peter Klug Ian & Jocelyn Klug Michael & Jane Klug Dr Barbara Laing

Collaborators $2,500+ 4 Anonymous J M Alroe Libby Anstis & Neil Hampton Christopher & Margot Blue Sarah Bradley Sue Brown Dr John H Casey John & Lynnly Chalk Barry & Faye Clark Mark & Joanne Darwin Anna & Bruce Davidson Helen Gough Malcolm & Andrea Hall-Brown Justus & Tamara Homburg The Hudson Family Geoff & Michele James Amanda Jolly & Peter Knights Colin & Noela Kratzing Dr Bert Klug Ross & Sophia Lamont Stephen & Terry Leach David & Erica Lee Tim Lucas Dr Lynne McKinlay The Merlo Family

Karen & Peter Lane Deni Leishman Barbara Lloyd John & Janice Logan Helen & Tim Longwill Marina Marangos Nic Martoo In memory of Jann McCabe William McCarthy Sandra McCullagh John & Julienne McKenna Judith Mclean Philip McMurdo & Margaret McMurdo AC Mark Menhinnitt Andrea Moor Richard & Denise Morton Bruce & Irene Moy Rhys Muldoon Debra & Patrick Mullins Richard Munro R & B Murray Judy Noble Kartini Oei Shay O'Hara-Smith Leanne O'Shea & Peter Gilroy Jennifer Parker John & Mandy Peden D & I Perry-Keene Joanna Peters Katharine Philip Pierce Family

Charles & Catherine Miller The Nicklin Family Michael & Deanna Power John Richardson & Kirsty Taylor The Scifleet Family Caroline & Peter Steadman Sam Strong & Katherine Slattery Courtney Talbot Greg & Esally Vickery Margaret Williams Bruce & Jocelyn Wolfe

Loretta Pierce Rachael Pinter Blayne & Helen Pitts Glenice & Amanda Prior Clare & David Pullar Diane Quinn Catherine Quinn Angela Ramsay Tim & Kym Reid Dale Ric-Hansen Margaret Ridley & Daryl Clifford Jan & Jim Rodney Maryanne Russell Crispin Scott Margaret Scott Maria Semit Marianna Serghi Antonia Simpson John Smithwick Steven Sorbello Ben & Janette Steinberg Dr Josephine Sundin Damien Thomson & Glenise C. Berry Ralph & Pierette Whiteside Suzanne & Bo Williams Janet & Peter Wojciechowski Dr Catherine Yelland Tony & Linda Young Marisa Zavattaro

Annual donations over $500 are acknowledged in play programs for 12 months from the date of donation.

SUPPORTING CAST $500+ 6 Anonymous Anne & Peter Allen Virginia Bishop Robert Bond Prof Aidan Byrne Peter Callaghan Bob Cleland Dianne Eden OAM Judi Ewings Karen Heel Fred & Margaret Leditschke Susan Mabin Philip & Fran Morrison Denise O'Boyle In memory of David Page Diane & Robert Parcell Wendy Peach Dee & Reny Rennie Kevin Vedelago & Karen Renton Jacqui Walters Marian Wheeler Richard Whittington OAM Frederick N. Winter Ian Yeo & Sylvia Alexander

LEGAL CHAPTER Anonymous Michael & Anne Back Jennifer Batts Peter Bridgman & Susan Booth Michael & Anne-Maree Byrne Lee Clark Trent Forno H G Fryberg John & Lois Griffin Kim & Michael Hodge Barbara Houlihan Fleur Kingham John & Janice Logan Katrina Low & Ilan Klevansky Richard & Denise Morton Debra & Patrick Mullins Leanne O'Shea & Peter Gilroy John & Mandy Peden Peter G Williams Gadens Lawyers Herbert Smith Freehills King & Wood Mallesons

TRUST AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS Australian Communities Foundation - Davie Family Fund Australian Communities Foundation - Keith & Jeannette Ince Fund Tim Fairfax Family Foundation William Angliss (Queensland) Charitable Fund

Queensland Theatre wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to all our donors.

Each gift, large or small, helps us make great theatre.

Support a Young Artist Queensland Theatre’s Young Artist Ensembles lead the State in providing actor training for dedicated school-aged artists.

Recent Ensemble alumni have gone on to perform on the Queensland Theatre mainstage, feature in commercial television series, star in Netflix original films and tour to the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In an industry where competition is fierce, scholarships ensure our Young Artists start their careers on even ground.

Your donation of $1,500 or more will support a Young Artist scholarship in 2020 and help foster the next generation of Brisbane’s home-grown talent.

For more information, or to support a scholarship, please contact Director of Development Zoë Connolly on 07 3010 7602 or at zconnolly@queenslandtheatre.com.au

Member owned means:

More help for Queensland communities

Through the RACQ Foundation we can do more for our Queensland community and help out when times are tough.

Find out more at racq.com/foundation

Thanks to our sponsors & partners Government Partners

Principal Partner

Building Enhancement Partner

Trust and Foundation Partners

Presentation Sponsors

Print & Digital News Sponsor

Legal Partner

Season Supporters

International Airline Partner

Media Supporters

Season Sponsors

Education Supporter

Restaurant Partner

We’re for the best seats in the house.

CourierMail

CourierMail

Phil Brown, Arts Editor

CHOOSE DENDY FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

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Your Colour Specialists Proud Partner of Queensland Theatre 15 Brisbane Salons call 3463 0373 or book online www.epichairdesigns.com.au

14/8/19 12:26 pm

Ayesha Madon

Leonard Mickelo, Kimberley Hodgson, Melissa Russo

Sharon Millerchip

THE GU A RD I AN

THE SCOTSMAN

“A glorious piece of theatre.”

T H E l is t

BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUEENSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE PRESENT

BRYONY KIMMINGS (UK)

18 – 21 SEPT PLAYHOUSE, QPAC

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