Let's Chat Showbiz

In episode 16 of Let’s Chat Showbiz, we sat down with award winning Actor and writer Darren Gilshenan. Darren shared how he ended up at NIDA and what that whole experience was like for him, along with his time working with the Bell Shakespeare theatre group. Darren spoke about some of his theatre credits too, including Mother and Son alongside Nolene Brown and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf with Genevieve Lemon. Darren also shared which roles challenged him the most on stage and why they really pushed him as an actor.

Darren reflected on his television work as well, including A Country Practice, Population 11, playing Uncle Terry in The Moodys and A Moody Christmas, and Chandon Pictures alongside Rob Carlton. Darren shared that he’s currently directing Rob in his latest show and opened up about their long friendship and creative partnership.

Darren also shared what it was like filming No Activity with Patrick Brammall, how much of it was improvised and where the idea for the show originally came from. He spoke about playing creepy Professor Lee in Colin from Accounts, working alongside Helen Thomson, and revealed that he’s currently right in the middle of shooting season three. It was such a fun and honest conversation covering so many parts of Darren’s career both on stage and on screen.

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In Episode 15 of Let’s Chat Showbiz, we sat down with award winning cabaret and fringe artist Millicent Sarre! Millicent opens up about her experience in Class of Cabaret and how she found her place within the industry. She speaks about why mentoring emerging performers is so important to her, and how she enjoys working with Mark Oats.

We also dive into her Fringe shows, including Millicent Sarre is Opinionated and Bisexual Intellectual, exploring where the ideas came from and the creative process behind writing and developing her work.

Millicent also chats about her brand new show Millicent Sarre is Too Tired to Smash (Patriarchy), premiering at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and gives audiences an exciting insight into what they can expect.

She shares the huge experience of understudying the entire female cast of Kimberly Akimbo, how she managed such a challenge, and what it meant to step into roles alongside Marina Prior and Casey Donovan.

We also discuss Primetime, the new Australian musical Millicent wrote with co writer Joseph Simons. She talks about how they began collaborating, where the concept originated, and what audiences can look forward to.

To wrap up, Millicent shares who inspires her most within the industry today. We thank Millicent for an amazing interview!

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In episode 14 of Let’s Chat Showbiz we sit down with filmmaker, producer, writer and director Sophie Hyde. She talks about how her career began and some of the early projects that shaped her work including 52 Tuesdays and the process of filming it as well as creating the six part series F**king Adelaide. We chat about the cast which includes Pamela Rabe and Sophie shares a lot about what it was like working with her. She also talks about the film Good Luck to You Leo Grande and what it was like directing Emma Thompson along with the challenges of working during Covid.

We also get into her new film Jimpa how the idea came about and what the story means to her. Sophie talks about working with Olivia Colman and their first interactions. She reflects on working on the SBS series The Hunting with Richard Roxburgh, Asher Keddie, Jessica De Gouw and Sam Reid. She also talks about her friendship with Kate Box and how it began and shares a fun story about attending Olivia Colman’s fiftieth birthday party.

We thank Sophie for giving us her time during a busy schedule and for such a great and generous interview.

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In Episode 13 of Let’s Chat Showbiz, we sit down with the incredibly talented Lucy Maunder to chat all things showbiz! Lucy shares how her remarkable career began at WAAPA and reflects on her journey through the Australian theatre scene.

She opens up about the recent passing of Ben Lewis, her close friendship and experiences working alongside Tom Wren, and some of her most memorable career highlights! From Dr Zhivago alongside Anthony Warlow, to Mary Poppins, Pippin, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and of course, her dream role as Roxie Hart in the Australian tour of Chicago.

Lucy also gives us a glimpse into the audition process, working with Zoe Ventoura, her connection with Marina Prior, and the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with a life on stage. This interview was such great fun, and Lucy had so much to share!

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In Episode 12 of Let’s Chat Showbiz we sit down with actor Annie Byron, whose career spans film, theatre, and television since graduating from NIDA in 1977 alongside Mel Gibson and Judy Davis

Annie reflects on her early days and shares memories of her classmates including her memories of Wayne Jarrett. We dive into her career highlights. She talks about playing Lou Sullivan in The Sullivans with Michael Caton, and winning the AFI Award for her performance in Fran alongside Noni Hazlehurst. She also revisits her role in Muriel’s Wedding with Rachel Griffiths, and her chilling turn in Wolf Creek 2 with John Jarratt and Gerard Kennedy, including how her on-screen death was filmed.

Later, Annie shares her experiences working with Cate Blanchett and her time in New York, where she crossed paths with Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. She also reflects on her appearances in A Country Practice, Home and Away, and many other productions across stage and screen.

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