"The unifying factor of this delightful collection is that they are all 'stolpersteine' – memories or small glimpses that make us stop and look or listen. The poems range from the huge and challenging – like the importance of remembering the names of holocaust victims, and glimpses of the impact of an abusive priest; to poignant memories of parents and grandparents; to the exquisite glimpses of everyday pleasures – 'jazz in the morning', children playing under a water hydrant, waiting for Spring – to the many ironic images of life during COVID. They all remind us of the importance of remembering, as well as the pleasure derived from ‘looking at and listening to’ ordinary events and images.”
– Karen Throssell, poet
Publications
This new theatre piece looks at the four heroines from the classical theatrical canon, Nora from Ibsen’s ‘Doll’s House’, Julie from Strindberg’s ‘Miss Julie’, Hedda from Ibsen’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ and Nina from Chekov’s ‘Seagull’. These four women meet and talk about their dreams, desires, and everything in between. Apart from the original plays, the adaptation uses letters between Ibsen and Strindberg, Chekov’s diaries, short stories, and other secondary literature to create a vibrant new theatre-piece. It is suitable for students Year 8 upwards. The first production of this play will be in Melbourne/Australia in late 2021.
ON A BRIDGE NORTH FROM HERE is a new theatre piece devised by BYTE ensemble. Darcy Gilkerson, Indiana Jennings, Alyssa Kale, Joachim Matschoss, Shannon Stevens, Capri Walsh and Verity Wood have collaborated to create this unique piece of theatre with contributions from a visual artist, a classical musician, a writer and theatre makers. It is a story of love and loss, based on true events.
Meercat Robinson wanted to be an actor ever since she can remember and one day it happened. She was accepted an Barnett Acting Academy in a large city, far away from the small countyry town where she grew up. This new theatre piece with music is a satirical look at the world of Drama Schools.
It is a collaboration by a diverse ensemble and was first performed in early 2022 in Melbourne/Australia.
Hannah’s Ark
Hannah and Freddy are brother and sister. Freddy has invited Hannah over for dinner, so that their mother can meet Freddy's new girlfriend, Georgie. Conversations about the politics of the day, veganism and the importance of family are interrupted when Freddy learns that his mother won't attend the dinner despite all the planning. At some point, Melanie, Hannah's partner arrives and things go from bad to worse. The play is an examination of today's world and about the importance of friendship and truth.
Ordinary Australians
Kenny lives with his partner in a small town in NSW. He is employed at the roadworks. His partner is a Primary school teacher. The government is looking for 'Ordinary Australians' as part of an ad campaign and Kenny is just the ticket. He becomes the poster-boy so to speak and the opposition is interested in his services too. In the end he nearly becomes part of the government but decides to stand as an independent and gets elected as the first independent PM of Australia.
The play is inspired by the almost constant 'theatre' in the political world of this country.
Tinderella, Sex And Stanislavski
Ella and Lisa are actors.They are trying to have that elusive break but in the meantime they work wherever they can find work that gives them the flexibility to create, to make theatre. At their favourite cafe, 'Seven Spoons', works Natasha, she is also an actor, supplementing her income as an actor by working in hospitality. Daniel appears and things go wrong. Daniel is an awful human being.
This play is a dark satire on what it means to make it as an artist in this country.
Dew On Mornings Past
“Joachim Matschoss’ new collection speaks to the collective and timely fear and isolation many of us feel, but he also offers hope and acknowledgement of life’s beauty and of the resilience of love and youth. The depth of imagery, a wide range of issues and disparate stories that populate dew on mornings. past gives readers time to pause and reflect and to rest in between the chaos.”
Jillian Campana, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
American University in Cairo