In the first of two conversations this week, we chat to Liviu Monsted, writer, producer and director from Deadhouse Productions. They are bringing Sydney’s dark criminal history to light in two productions that take place in the 200 year old crypt of St James Church in Sydney’s CBD. In an immersive theatrical experience, the audience of 30 are lead through the crypt and witness scenes from the stories being portrayed.
They have just completed a successful run of Razor Gang Wars depicting the gangland story of notorious Kings Cross crime queens Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh. At one time Tilly was Australia’s richest person. Liviu has chosen a different lens for telling the tale through the character of Lillian Armfield, Australia’s first police woman.
Their next production, Juanita Nielsen: The Final Days is about to open. It is the story of her disappearance in 1975 after visiting the Carousel Cabaret at Kings Cross. Over the years speculation over why she was killed and who was responsible has run wild. The crime is still unsolved to this day, although there are some very likely suspects.
Liviu is also the Festival Director – Short + Sweet Sydney. They are currently seeking directors for the 2024 season. Directors from all walks of life, from professional directors to enthusiastic first timers are invited to apply right now.
Also we meet Jack Symonds, Artistic Director of Sydney Chamber Opera. Jack and fellow founder, Louis Garrick, saw a need for cutting edge contemporary home-grown opera. As resident company at Carriageworks, they are about to open a season of earth.voice.body, a triple bill of monodramas.
First up is The Shape of the Earth, a retelling of Patrick White’s Voss. The music was composed by Jack, and the libretto by Pierce Wilcox consists of short poems that convey the vast landscapes of White’s novel.
This is followed by La voix humaine, by Francis Poulenc, based on a novel by Jean Cocteau. Conceived as a monodrama, it tells one side of a phone call by a woman to her ex-lover after a relationship breakup.
And finally Finnish composer, Kaija Saariaho, and French librettist Amin Maalouf give us Quatre Instants. This is a song cycle reflecting the different aspects of love. Jack has dramatised the songs for a theatrical, operatic experience.
Arts Wednesday 27 September 2023
10.30-12.00
DAB+
89.7fm