Join Richard Watts for his penultimate episode before he closes out 2024 with his 20th anniversary next week! Details for the live event happening on Thursday 19th can be found here: https://www.rrr.org.au/events/smartarts-20th-anniversary-special
Whether you’re a Midsumma Festival veteran or you’re wanting to go for the first time, Chief Executive and Creative Director, Karen Bryant, is here to give us a 2025 program overview. The theme for 2025 is Collective Identities, and the festival runs from 19 January - 9 February at various locations around the city and the regions. Full program here: https://www.midsumma.org.au/info/program-guides/
We’ve been showcasing the 2025 programs of theatres around Melbourne for a few weeks and now it is time to hear from Red Stitch!! Artistic director, Ella Caldwell, tells us all about what to expect (perhaps the unexpected) next year and a bit about their fundraising campaign, Long Live Big Little Theatre - which you can donate to now to help them get to their multi-year goal of $2 million.
TarraWarra Museum of Art Curator, Anthony Fitzpatrick, tells us about the current exhibition, Intimate Imaginaries. Get along to the picturesque gallery in Healesville from now until March 10 to see contemporary and lively art from a collection of 13 artists. Tickets available here.
Australian soprano, musical theatre royalty and actress, Marina Prior AM, joins Richard to talk about her latest project with Victorian Opera, Follies. They talk about her character (Phyllis Rogers Stone), what it’s like to be a legend among legends, and performing at The Palais! You can catch Follies from February 1-6 at The Palais Theatre in St Kilda.
Was ACCA’s new CEO and Artistic Director Myles Russell Cook always destined for the job? Myles joins Richard to talk about taking on the role, and The Art of Lazy – an evening with Lady Susan, showing Saturday December 14th, plus gives us some highlights for the year to come at ACCA.
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
