Composer Luke Styles, Kurdish-Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani and translator and collaborator Omid Tofighian join Richard ahead of ‘No Friend but the Mountains: A Symphonic Song Cycle’ premiering at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Inspired by Boochani’s book of the same name written secretly in Farsi whilst on Manus Island, this adaptation explores his brutal detention experience through the language of music.
Susan Provan, CEO of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival speaks about the challenges of returning to the stage after the cancellation of last year’s festival just weeks before its launch. The 2021 program will feature local acts front and centre, as well as an array of online and on demand streaming events from much loved international names.
Meg McNena, writer of ‘A Name for Herself’, talks about her new play following the women at the forefront of Ireland’s Easter Rising of 1916. Based on the true story of Irish activist Countess Constance Markievicz, the play is directed by Dublin-born Lynda Fleming, and premieres at the Renaissance Theatre, East Kew.
Finally, Eugenia Flynn, Director of Collingwood Yards unveils the new arts precinct and community hub located in the heart of Melbourne’s inner north. Spanning over 6500sqm and with over 50 separate tenancies, the space will open in stages from April this year.
About this program
Visual art, theatre, film and literature. Segments include:
- 'Art Attack' - fortnightly visual arts reviews with Ace Wagstaff and Tai Snaith.
- 'Shoot the Messenger' - fortnightly theatre news & reviews with Fleur Kilpatrick.
- 'Drawn Out' - monthly chat about comic books and graphic novels with Bernard Caleo.
Please email talks@rrr.org.au for all interview requests.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Richard Watts has many years experience working in the arts industry, including five years as the Artistic Director of the youth arts organisation Express Media, seven years on the Board of Melbourne Fringe (including three years as Chair), and six years on the Committee of Management at La Mama Theatre, where he currently serves as Chair. Richard has helped program a range of festivals including Next Wave, the National Young Writers' Festival, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the Emerging Writers' Festival (which he founded) and he has written for various broadsheets, journals, zines and magazines. Currently he pays the rent by working as the Performing Arts Editor at www.artshub.com.au. In his spare time he watches old Doctor Who episodes.
The podcast intro and outro theme is Soft Illusion and was generously provided by Andras.
https://andras.bandcamp.com/track/soft-illusion
