THE WHALE

Written by Samuel D. Hunter

Directed by Geoff Brittain

SEASON: 7 - 16 November 2025

VENUE: Little Theatre

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast is hosted by MARK WICKETT, with interviews with members of The Whale Cast and Crew including GILIAN CORDEL and SANDY FAITHFULL (Costume Design), BREE ROBERTS from MEDIA MAKEUP ACADEMY (Prosthetic Design), TIANNA COOPER (Actor, Ellie) & SAM WISEMAN (Actor, Charlie).

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST HOST - MARK WICKETT

Mark has worked in Adelaide theatres for over twenty years as a creative, more recently directing the 2024 production of The 39 Steps for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. He assisted director Lesley Reed at St. Jude’s Players for this year’s Neighbourhood Watch and will direct again for the Guild in 2026, presenting a reality show take on Shakespeare with The Real Merry Wives of Windsor Gardens.

Mark supports South Australia’s performing arts as a critic for Australia’s Stage Whispers magazine and through serving on both the Board of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild and the TASA Committee.

SUMMARY

The Whale tells the story of a morbidly obese English teacher who hides from the world.

Charlie cannot stop eating to the detriment of everyone around him, including his long-estranged daughter.

Desperate to reconnect, Charlie reaches out to her, only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen.

Big-hearted and fiercely funny, The Whale is the story of a man’s last chance at redemption, and of finding beauty in the most unexpected places.

The 2022 Academy Award winning movie (starring Brendan Fraser) was adapted by Samuel D. Hunter from his 2012 play.

Performance Dates

Friday 7 November at 7:30pm

Saturday 8 November at 3pm

Sunday 9 November at 3pm

Wednesday 12 November at 7:30pm

Thursday 13 November at 7:30pm

Friday 14 November at 7:30pm

Saturday 15 November at 3pm

Sunday 16 November at 3pm

DURATION

Approximately 2 hours (1 interval)

VENUE

Little Theatre

The Cloisters, Victoria Drive, University of Adelaide

CONTENT WARNING

Strong language, adult themes, drug references

BOOKINGS

🎟 TICKETS - trybooking.com/CXJIO

MUSIC FOR THE EPISODE

The Tile Track - For the Love of Theatre Podcast,

Written and Composed by Ben Waller.

All other music for this episode was sourced in the Public Domain.

#TheWhale #TheUniversityofAdelaideTheatreGuild #GeoffBrittain #SouthAustralianArt #CommunityTheatre #AdelaideArt #CommunityTheatre

EPISODE: The RevIon GirI

Written by Neil Anthony Docking

Directed by Olivia Jane Parker

Produced by St. Jude’s Players

Season: 6th-15th of November, 2025

"IT'S NOT JUST LIPSTICK! Alright? It's just not."

- Revlon

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast features interviews with the Founder of For the Love of Theatre Podcast and Director of The Revlon Girl, Olivia Jane Parker, the Assistant Director, Sophie Waller & Sassy Mauve Cast Member, Olivia Richardson. We welcome our Guest Host, Larry Waller.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST HOST - Larry Waller Larry has been in and around the acting and the theatre for over 40 years with this keen interest he has worked as an actor and director making some fabulous theatre with some extraordinary people.

In Larry’s working life he supports young people in Australia with their success in life with Youth Inc, a local Special Assistance School. None of this is possible without the love and support of Larry’s family Sophie, Ben, Jess and Maggie.

SUMMARY Set in Wales, eight months after the Aberfan Disaster of 1966, The Revlon Girl tells the real-life story of a group of bereaved mothers who met every week above a local hotel to talk, cry and even laugh without feeling guilty. It's a play full of humour, heart, wonderful characters and the indomitable human will to move on.

"Let's leave it: we've asked this lady here to give a talk and the last thing anyone wants to see is our dirty washing." - Jean

💄THE STORMY ROSE CAST 🌹

LUCY GRACE

BROOKE DUBOIS

MEGAN HARRIS

HEATHER CRAWFORD

OLIVIA BIGHAM

PERFORMANCES - STORMY ROSE CAST

06.11.2025 7.30pm OPENING NIGHT

08.11.2025 2pm [Saturday Matinee]

13.11.2025 7.30pm PERFORMANCE

*The 13th of November will be a performance with Olivia Richardson (The Sassy Mauve Cast) as RONA.

14.11.2025 7.30pm PERFORMANCE

15.11.2025 7.30pm FINAL PERFORMANCE

[Saturday Night]

💅 THE SASSY MAUVE CAST💄

JADE COOPER

OLIVIA RICHARDSON

CARMINE CLARKE

GEORJETTE MERCER

RUBY PATRICH

PERFORMANCES - THE SASSY MAUVE CAST

05.11.2025 PREVIEW NIGHT

07.11.2025 7.30pm PERFORMANCE

08.11.2025 7.30pm [Saturday Night]

*Please note, that the performance on the 13th of November will feature Olivia Richardson as RONA for the Stormy Rose Cast - 13.11.2025 7.30pm PERFORMANCE.

15.11.2025 2pm [Saturday Matinee]

BOOKINGS

🎟 https://www.trybooking.com/DFADR

🤳 Call 0436 262 628

📩 Email bookings@stjudesplayers.asn.au

MUSIC

The Ynysowen Male Voice Choir is a choir from Aberfan, Wales, founded in the aftermath of the 1966 Aberfan disaster. Formed to help heal the community and thank the world for its support, the choir continues to perform locally and nationally.

“We would also like to wish you and the production team all the very best and successful launch of The Revlon Girl in South Australia.”

MUSIC FOR THE EPISODE

I Will Sing With the Spirit performed by the Ynysowen Male Choir, written by John Rutter

Calon Lan performed by the Ynysowen Male Choir, written by John Hughes Arr. By J Jones.

Ynysowen Male Choir - Fifty Years ot Song

Title Track For the Love of Theatre Podcast, Written & Performed by Ben Waller.

Photo by Lance Reis: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-with-lipstick-wearing-old-fashioned-clothing-and-sunglasses-15674502/

#adelaidetheatre #adelaideevents #theRevlonGirl #StJude'sPlayersInc #TheRevlonGirl #StormyRoseCast #TheSassyMauveCast

Stirling Players presents the Australian Premiere of Hansard by Simon Woods, Directed by Sally Putnam.

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast is Hosted by Annabel Whitford, Admin Officer for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild & The Theatre Association of South Australia (T.A.S.A) Committee Member. This episode focuses solely on The Stirling Players' upcoming production of Hansard. Annabel interviews Director, Sally Putnam and some voiceover work has been provided by the Vice President of The Stirling Players, Bronwyn Chapple.

More About Our Guest Host

Annabel Whitford is a dedicated theatre enthusiast who has stage-managed several productions and serves as the Administrator of the Theatre Guild. An avid tap dancer, Annabel is part of the Dragonfly Dance performing company and believes in the importance of supporting the arts in all its forms. In her spare time, she co-hosts and edits the occasional podcast and has been fortunate enough to interview television writers and producers. Whether working behind the scenes, tapping out rhythms, or discussing TV shows, Annabel is committed to contributing to and promoting the arts community.

MORE ABOUT THE PLAY

Simon Woods’ first play Hansard, had an impressive debut and sold out season at The National Theatre UK in 2019.

Stirling Players will be presenting the Australian premiere under the direction of Sally Putnam and two of Adelaide’s most experienced actors, Anita Canala and Andrew Clark.

Hansard is an intimate and intense domestic drama about a marriage. It is also a comedy about politics, identity and the failings of the ruling class told with witty sarcasm and much passive aggression between a long-married couple of differing political views.

A prim Tory MP (Robin Hesketh) and his liberal, bohemian wife (Diana) quarrel and exchange witty barbs in their Cotswold cottage. The year is 1988 and Robin has arrived home from Westminster after voting for an important piece of legislation in Maggie Thatcher’s government. The subject of the new law and his role in helping it pass is the source of conflict and shared anguish and is integral to the deeply emotional and heart-rending reveal at the end.

The title, ‘Hansard’ refers to the transcripts of parliamentary debates in Britain and Commonwealth countries, including Australia. This play presents us with another verbatim record of a more personal and compelling debate.

SEASON

September 12 - 27th

Evening shows: 7.30 pm,

(12th, 19th, 26th and 27th)

Matinees: 3 pm

(13th, 14th,20th and 21st))

Running time: 90 minutes, no interval.

BOOKINGS

Tickets - TRYBOOKING

Visit Stirling Players for more information.

www.stirlingplayers.sct.org.au

VENUE

Stirling Community Theatre,

7 Avenue Rd, Stirling.

Accessibility. Drop off area at front door.

Please call the Box Office, 0488 746 951 for wheelchair seats.

HILLS HOSPITALITY

We welcome everyone to our beautiful theatre with a free glass of sherry on arrival. Bar opens half an hour before performance. Tea, coffee and excellent Adelaide Hills wines from our partners, Howard Vineyard.

MUSIC

Gentle Instrumental by Gensanmaier https://pixabay.com/users/gensanmaier-14000784/

Title Track For the Love of Theatre Podcast, Written & Performed by Ben Waller.

EPISODE: Neighbourhood Watch

Written by Lally Katz

Directed by Lesley Reed

Produced by St. Jude’s Players

Season: 7th-16th of August, 2025

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast features interviews with Director, Lesley Reed, Actors, Nathan Brown, Taya Rose, Christopher Cordeaux, Megan Robson and Dylan McGaw. We welcome back Mark Wickett, as our Host, who is also the Assistant Director of Neighbourhood Watch.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST HOST - MARK WICKETT

Mark has been working in Adelaide’s community and professional theatre for more than twenty years, much of it designing technical and creative solutions in video projection. Productions include: Les Misérables, Next to Normal and Oliver! For the last ten years, Mark has been directing corporate video and working with high schools in theatre and video, with productions including Matilda, The Book of Everything, and Where Words Once Were. Mark supports South Australia’s performing arts as a critic for Australia’s Stage Whispers Magazine and through serving on the Board of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. He was Assistant Director for the Guild’s 2023 production of The Tempest, and directed The 39 Steps for them in 2024. Later this year, he will be Assistant Director to Lesley Reed for St. Jude’s Players' production of Neighbourhood Watch.

STAGE WHISPERS ARTICLE

Click the link below to read Mark Wickett's Stage Whispers' Article on the For the Love of Theatre Podcast.

https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/love-theatre-podcast

Actor and Director Olivia Jane Parker talks to Stage Whispers’ Mark Wickett about her role in promoting South Australian community theatre through a podcast.

MORE ABOUT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Memories are windows into the past, not only for 80-year-old Hungarian refugee Ana, but also for young actor Catherine, the only neighbour Ana truly befriends in the Australian neighbourhood where she now lives.

With a story drawn from playwright Lally Katz's elderly Hungarian-Australian neighbour's real experience, NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH takes audiences from an Australian street into WWII- ravaged Hungary and back again.

With Julie Quick as Ana and Ellie Schaefer as Catherine.

SEASON

Evenings - Thursday August 7 & 14, Friday August 8 and 15, 7.30 pm.

Matinees - Saturdays August 9 and 16, 2pm.

VENUE

St Jude’s Hall,

444 Brighton Rd,

Brighton, South Australia.

BOOKINGS

Tickets https://www.trybooking.com/DCCMU

Or call 0436 262 628

Or email bookings@stjudesplayers.asn.au

MUSIC

Title Track For the Love of Theatre Podcast, Written & Performed by Ben Waller.

Original Music Composed and Performed by Sarah Bradley

IMAGE

Courtesy of Christian Hardi

www.pixabay.com

#adelaidetheatre #adelaide #NeighbourhoodWatch #StJudesPlayers #FortheLoveofTheatrePodcast #FortheLoveofTheatre #SouthAustralianArt #StageCraft #StageWhispers #Theatre

NEW EPISODE: THE WATSONS

The Watsons

Written by Laura Wade

Directed by Matthew Chapman

The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild

SEASON: 1st - 10th August 2025

📍The Little Theatre

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast is hosted by Annabel Whitford, featuring interviews with Director, Matthew Chapman, and cast members Lindy Lecornu (Lady Osborne), Genevieve Hudson (Miss Osborne) & Imogen Deller-Evans (Emma Watson), all from the upcoming production of The Watsons, written by Laura Wade, produced by The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild.

SUMMARY

The Watsons are in crisis. Cut off financially from her benefactor, the youngest, Emma, returns to her dying father and spinster sisters with the task of finding a husband - and finding one now. Matchmakers, match breakers, cads, stuffy clergymen and an overactive rumour mill all conspire as wedding bells ring in the distance and Emma eyes off a certain man…and that’s where we leave it.

See, Jane Austen never finished the story.

So it’s up to Emma, with the help of modern-day Laura, a jaded playwright with a rapidly approaching deadline, to find her own happy ending…

And that’s where the fun really begins.

Laura Wade’s witty, bold adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel is a playful, provocative exploration of choice, control, and who really gets to write the ending.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS

SEASON: 1st - 10th August 2025

📍The Little Theatre

Tickets from http://trybooking.com/cxjin

MORE ABOUT OUR HOST

Annabel Whitford is the Administrator of the Theatre Guild. She dances through life as a cheeky mix of backstage boss and jazz-handed showoff. A passionate arts advocate, champion for the underfunded, spreadsheet whisperer, and sequinned menace, Annabel is here to make the world more fabulous and slightly more organised.

📸 Headshot taken by Richard Parkhill

MUSIC FOR THE EPISODE

The Tile Track - For the Love of Theatre Podcast,

Written and Composed by Ben Waller.

All other music for this episode was sourced in the Public Domain.

Freccero - 6th Street (Austin), Pixabay

Scarlatti - Sonata in G major, K.547 - Arranged for Harpsichord by GregorQuendel, Pixabay

#ForTheLoveofTheatrePodcast #TheWatsons #LauraWade #JaneAusten #Matchmakers #SouthAustralianArt #Plays #SouthAustralianTheatre #Stage #Community #CommunityTheatre

‘Almost, Maine’

Produced by The Stirling Players

Written by John Cariani

Directed by Ben Proeve

SEASON: 11-19 July 2025

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast features an interview with Director, Ben Proeve, Assistant Director & Music Composer, Toby Vincent & Cast Member, Harri Wolff. This discussion focuses on their production company and their latest show, Almost, Maine for The Stirling Players.

SUMMARY

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist.

One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken.

But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend. Well, almost. A delightful midwinter night’s story of different scenes that take place in the same 15 minutes.

Cast: Oliver Medwell, Kodi Jackson, Harri Wolff, Sam Ewart, Annabel McGregor, Kaila Barton, Tim Stoeckel.

VENUE

STIRLING COMMUNITY THEATRE

7 Avenue Rd,

Stirling

South Australia 5152

SEASON

Fridays July 11 & 18 at 7.30pm

Saturday July 12 at 3pm

Sunday July 13 at 3pm

Saturday July 19 at 2pm and 7.30pm

BOOKINGS

https://www.stirlingplayers.org.au/buy-tickets

or through Trybooking.com

MUSIC

Original music for 'Almost, Maine' composed by April Strevens and Toby Vincent

This episode features one of the original compositions, a track titled, 'Her Heart Magic Moment'.

'Almost, Maine' has been an exciting opportunity for our Assistant Director and Production Manager to collaborate on original music. The direction was to enhance and complement the plot and emotions on display and create a sound design for each love story. With piano, acoustic guitar and strings, Toby and April have created musical motifs and themes which unite all the scenes but give each vignette its own musical 'stamp'.

April Strevens, Production Manager and composer. April has been involved in music, theatre, film and the fine arts for many years.

April says: "utilising music as a uniting tie between the various storylines of Almost, Maine was an important element to balance in composing the score. Altering melody, rhythm, and composition allowed us to connect the story whilst building different tones appropriate to the varying depictions of love throughout."

Title Track For the Love of Theatre Podcast written and composed by Ben Waller.

#FortheLoveofTheatrePodcast #Stage #Theatre #CommunityTheatre #AlmostMaine #TheStirlingPlayers #Podcast

QUERENCIA CALLING

PRODUCED BY: PITCHWHITE PRODUCTIONS

WRITTEN BY: SHARYN HENDERSON

DIRECTED BY: GEOFF BRITTAIN

CAST: Cheryl Douglas, Georgia Stockham, Alicia Zorkovic, Perrin Abbas, & LA Foale.

SEASON: 19TH - 28TH of JUNE

VENUE: STAR THEATRES

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast features an interview with Pitchwhite Productions Founder, Lochie Daniel. This discussion focuses on their production company and their latest show, QUERENCIA CALLING.

SUMMARY

“Everyone carries an invisible backpack. Filled with past experiences, emotions, dreams, pain, challenges and successes.

Some days it feels too heavy to bear. On those days, who will you ask to help carry the load?”

Five friends whose connection spans from their university days to their current “mid-life” examines the bonds that can remain strong even afterlife and distance get in the way.

This original production was written by an emerging Melbourne Playwright, Sharyn Henderson.

WHERE?

VENUE: STARS THEATRE 2

Stars Theatres

145 Sir Donald Bradman Dr,

Hilton South

Australia 5033

WHEN?

Thursday 19 June 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday 20 June 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday 21 June 2025

Matinee 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Evening 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday 26 June 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday 27 June 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday 28 June 2025

Matinee 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Evening 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

BOOKINGS

www.trybooking.com/DAVIB

MUSIC

Title Track - For the Love of Theatre Podcast composed and performed by Ben Waller.

Beautiful, by Giulio Cercato

Moody Acoustic Minor Folk Full catch22music from Pixabay

IMAGE

Photo by Connor Martin: https://www.pexels.com/photo/zigzag-road-between-green-trees-5526447/

#FortheLoveofTheatrePodcast #Theatre #CreativeConversations #SharynHenderson #SouthAustralianArt #StarTheatres #AustralianPlaywright #QuerenciaCalling

COMIC POTENTIAL

Written by, Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Greg Elliott

Blackwood Players

This episode of For the Love of Theatre Podcast is hosted by Mark Wickett, and features interviews with the Director of Comic Potential and Blackwood Players President, Greg Elliott, Assistant Director, Brooke DuBois, Tech lead and Blackwood Players Life Member, Tim Gladdis and Amber Faull who stars as Jacee Triplethree, Comic Potential's lead character.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST HOST - Mark Wickett

Mark has been working in Adelaide’s community and professional theatre for more than twenty years, much of it designing technical and creative solutions in video projection. Productions include: Les Misérables, Next to Normal and Oliver! For the last ten years, Mark has been directing corporate video and working with high schools in theatre and video, with productions including Matilda, The Book of Everything, and Where Words Once Were. Mark supports South Australia’s performing arts as a critic for Australia’s Stage Whispers magazine and through serving on the Board of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. He was Assistant Director for the Guild’s 2023 production of The Tempest, and directed The 39 Steps for them in 2024. Later this year, he will be Assistant Director to Lesley Reed for St. Jude’s production of Neighbourhood Watch.

SUMMARY

A sensation in London and New York, this is one of the funniest and most inventive plays by Britain's grand master of comedy.

A hilarious satire of television and a touching romantic comedy, it begins in a television studio where a hospital soap opera is being taped. One actor starts speaking gibberish; he is an "actoid" a robot and his programming is off kilter.

Adam, the young nephew of the producer and an aspiring writer who worships the director (once a great movie director and now a broken down has been), is on the set. Adam starts chatting with Jacie Tripplethree, the actoid (serial number JC333) playing the nurse and finds, to his surprise, that not only can she carry a conversation but, due to what she calls a fault in her programming, she has a creative imagination.

Adam wants to build a new television series around her but the studio will not hear of it. He also finds he is falling in love with the charming robot!

Will Adam get the green light on his series? Will love prevail?

Jacie is one of Ayckbourn's greatest characters; her portrayer won all of London's major acting awards.

VENUE

BLACKWOOD MEMORIAL HALL

Fridays 16 & 23 May (8pm)

Saturdays 17 & 24 May (2pm & 8pm)

Tickets: $25pp; $20 concession; $15 students

Please note: No cabaret seating

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1363859

More info: 0402 616 924 / blackwood.players@gmail.com

MUSIC

Title Track For the Love of Theatre Podcast, Written & Performed by Ben Waller.

'Glow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

IMAGE

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-nurse-doctor-health-8846722/

#FortheLoveofTheatrePodcast #GuestHost #NewEpisodes #ComingSoon #AdelaideArts #CommunityTheatre #SouthAustralianArt #StageWhispers #FortheLoveofTheatre