Program: The Stage Show

Source:ABC Radio National

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Presented by

Michael Cathcart

The Stage Show brings you in-depth conversations with the world's top directors, performers and writers for the stage.

Airs Tuesday 10am. Repeated: Thursday 9pm, Saturday 5pm, Monday 1am.

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Latest

A circus performer's journey from Albury to the Arsenale

Nicci Wilks is a sharp and very physical actor and circus performer who has collaborated with major figures in Australian theatre, including Patricia Cornelius, Angus Cerini and Susie Dee. Her new show traces the life of a rodeo clown.

Published: MonMon 19 Aug 2024 at 3:00pmwith Michael Cathcart

Nicci Wilks in clown makeup and a straw cowboy hat pokes her head out of a barrel and looks at the camera.

Duration: 54 minutes 4 seconds

More from The Stage Show

'Welcome to Splott' — A Welsh playwright's local stories go global

The Welsh playwright Gary Owen writes authentic portrayals of working people living tough lives with wit, passion and dignity. Right now, three of his plays are being staged in Australia.

Gary Owen sits and speaks at a long table shared by three other people. The table is covered in papers and stage props.

Duration: 54 minutes 5 seconds

Published: 13 Aug 2024Tue 13 Aug 2024 at 12:00amwith Michael Cathcart

Ray Lawler and 'The Doll' forever changed Australian theatre

The Australian playwright Ray Lawler has died at the age of 103. Lawler wrote Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, which spurred a growing movement of artists telling Australian stories in Australian voices on the mainstage.

Ray Lawler, wearing a suit and tie and holding a plastic doll on a stick, stands in a bright spotlight by a white backdrop.

Duration: 54 minutes 5 seconds

Published: 6 Aug 2024Tue 6 Aug 2024 at 12:00amwith Michael Cathcart

Australia's Hamilton has been in the role longer than Lin-Manuel Miranda

Since Hamilton debuted in Australia in 2021, the American founding father has been played by the South African-born, Perth-raised performer Jason Arrow.

Jason Arrow in a period costume stands in a spotlight on a stage. Other performers stand with their heads bowed behind him.

Duration: 26 minutes 28 seconds

Published: 30 Jul 2024Tue 30 Jul 2024 at 12:00amwith Michael Cathcart

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 05 | Nationalism

The work of William Shakespeare has helped to define — and problematise — notions of English identity. It has also had an impact on the English language itself.

Composite of Shakespeare with the eye of a person with a painted face. 'Wherefore, Shakespeare? Nationalism' is superimposed.

Duration: 28 minutes 12 seconds

Published: 28 Jul 2024Sun 28 Jul 2024 at 8:00pmwith Michael Cathcart

Wherefore, Shakespeare?

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 05 | Nationalism

The work of William Shakespeare has helped to define — and problematise — notions of English identity. It has also had an impact on the English language itself.

Duration: 28 minutes 12 seconds

Published: 28 Jul 2024Sun 28 Jul 2024 at 8:00pmwith Michael Cathcart

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 04 | Race

While some critics believe that plays like Othello and The Merchant of Venice are inherently racist, others argue that they simply portray, perhaps even criticise, the racist attitudes of the time.

A composite image of William Shakespeare with the eye of a person of colour. 'Wherefore, Shakespeare? Race' is superimposed.

Duration: 28 minutes 12 seconds

Published: 23 Jun 2024Sun 23 Jun 2024 at 10:06pmwith Michael Cathcart

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 03 | Horror

William Shakespeare's plays feature witchcraft, murder, ghosts and bloody revenge. Are his displays of blood and gore simply meant to entertain us or do they have more to say about the human condition?

A composite image of William Shakespeare with a frightened eye. The text 'Wherefore, Shakespeare? Horror' is superimposed.

Duration: 28 minutes 12 seconds

Published: 24 May 2024Fri 24 May 2024 at 1:33amwith Michael Cathcart

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 02 | Gender

What does it mean to defy the conventions and test the boundaries of gender? These are questions posed by some of Shakespeare's most famous characters.

A composite image of William Shakespeare with a heavily made-up eye. The text 'Wherefore, Shakespeare? Gender' is superimposed.

Duration: 28 minutes 12 seconds

Published: 26 Apr 2024Fri 26 Apr 2024 at 6:21amwith Michael Cathcart

Feature Articles

Lady Macbeth is one of literature's biggest female villains. Two new works plug the gaps in her story

Between a new stage play and book — Zinnie Harris's Macbeth (An Undoing) and Val McDermid’s Queen Macbeth — Lady M has finally gotten out of that damned spot.

A close up of a woman in her early 40s, black background, lit from behind, staring determinedly

Published: 16 Jul 2024Tue 16 Jul 2024 at 4:43amby Hannah Reich

'I tried to have a sensible career': Why the star of Underbelly and Offspring had to choose acting

The beloved actor made her name playing abrasive characters in some of Australia's most beloved TV shows. Now she's taking on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? once more.

The actor Kat Stewart, a woman in her early 50s with long brunette hair, standing in front of a brick wall

Published: 3 Jul 2024Wed 3 Jul 2024 at 12:53amby Hannah Reich

This little company in regional Victoria has won every prestigious theatre award under the sun

Back to Back Theatre has become one of Australia’s leading performing arts exports, all by making work that defies expectations.

A man in his 50s in an orange suit stands on a stage, cloud and golden abstract structure in the b/g, his hands reaching togeth

Published: 3 Jun 2024Mon 3 Jun 2024 at 7:55pmby Hannah Reich

Es Devlin has designed sets for Beyoncé, Adele and U2 — and now you can see her work in Sydney

Acclaimed set designer Es Devlin takes us behind the scenes of Sam Mendes's blockbuster production of The Lehman Trilogy, now playing in Sydney.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer and white dress, standing in a spiral of white card printed with black text

Published: 14 Mar 2024Thu 14 Mar 2024 at 3:02amby Nicola Heath

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Program: The Stage Show

A circus performer's journey from Albury to the Arsenale

'Welcome to Splott' — A Welsh playwright's local stories go global

Ray Lawler and 'The Doll' forever changed Australian theatre

Australia's Hamilton has been in the role longer than Lin-Manuel Miranda

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 05 | Nationalism

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 05 | Nationalism

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 04 | Race

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 03 | Horror

Wherefore, Shakespeare? 02 | Gender

Lady Macbeth is one of literature's biggest female villains. Two new works plug the gaps in her story

'I tried to have a sensible career': Why the star of Underbelly and Offspring had to choose acting

This little company in regional Victoria has won every prestigious theatre award under the sun

Es Devlin has designed sets for Beyoncé, Adele and U2 — and now you can see her work in Sydney

Discover more podcasts

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