STAGES with Peter Eyers

• STAGES Episode 597: SUSAN-ANN WALKER

  Susan-ann Walker is one of Australia’s favourite character Performers known for her work in Musicals, Plays, Opera, Cabaret and TV for over 35 years.Professional Music Theatre credits include 3 LITTLE PIGS (“Mother pig” AG productions 2025), THE WEDDING SINGER (“Rosie” David Venn productions 2021-2022), SWEENEY TODD (“Mrs Lovett” cover, LifeLike productions 2018), FUNNY GIRL (“Mrs Strakosh” The Production Co 2015), ONCE (“Barushka” Green Room Award for Best Ensemble GFO/MTC 2014-2015), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (“Gymnasia” GFO 2012), XANADU (“Calliope/Aphrodite” Mark Pennell 2011), HELLO DOLLY (“Dolly Levi” Magnormous 2010), MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL (“Earth Mother” Jim McPherson 2005-2007), MAME (“Agnes Gooch” The Production Co), PINOCCHIO (‘Catch-up” Garry Ginivan productions 2001) THE SOUND OF MUSIC (“Sister Margaretta ”GFO/SEL 1999-2001), POSSUM MAGIC (“Grandma Poss” Garry Ginivan 1997), GREASE-THE ARENA SPECTACULAR (“Jan” GFO/SEL 1998), THE SECRET GARDEN (“Martha” GFO 1996), ASPECTS OF LOVE (“Elizabeth” R.U.C 1992), GODSPELL (Sydney Opera House 1992), LES MISERABLES (Cameron Macintosh 1990-1991) and CATS (“Jenny-any-dots” Cameron Macintosh and RUC 1989, 1994-1995)Susan-ann performed as an actor/musician in THE ISHMAEL CLUB as “Mrs Maggia” for Playbox as well as in ONCE in 2014 directed by John Tiffany (Tony award for ONCE)Early Opera credits include THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARRINER “Pilot/Life in Death” VSO Youth Company, “Princess Icky-Poo” in THE DRAGON AND The MANDARIN (VSO School’s Co) and CARMEN (VSO).Cabarets includes ,DESPERATELY SINGING SUSAN, JACQUES BREL (Green Room Award for Best Cabaret 2000), TRAGEDY, PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC, CONFESSIONS OF A SEX KITTEN ,YUMMY, THE YUMMY BURLESQUE HOUR (Green Room Nomination for Best original songs), SUBTLE, TOM FOOLERY, NOT QUITE RIGHT, BIN GODDESS and in 2023, OUR NAUGHTY BITS.TV credits include “Marlene” in GOLD DIGGERS (ABC 2023), BLUE HEELERS, MDA, WINNERS AND LOSERS, DR BLAKE, MS FISHER’S MOD, and MOONMAN Susan-ann also originated and directed the Cabaret Project in 2003 at Federation University and in 2010 at PSA. She also has worked at the COLLEGE OF THE ARTS and in both the Classical and Contemporary departments of Monash University.She runs her own Singing Teaching/Vocal Health studio THE VOICE PLACE and is currently working on her first full-length play with music, UKULELE JOY, after she was the recipient of 3 grants in 2024The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 596: LOUISE FISCHER

  Louise Fischer has an MA in Theatre Studies from UNSW and is celebrating her twentieth year as Artistic Director of New Theatre; an independent company who staged their first production in 1933. The theatre has mounted some 550 productions, and is one of Australia’s oldest continuously producing theatres, moving from Pitt Street to Castlereagh Street and then to Kings Cross, until finally settling in its current home on King Street Newtown in 1973.Louise’s directing credits at New Theatre include: Ink, The Ballad of Maria Marten, Chimerica, Glengarry Glen Ross, Neighbourhood Watch, The Grapes of Wrath, August: Osage County, Australia Day, House of Games, Mother Clap’s Molly House, Enron, The Farnsworth Invention, The Crucible (which transferred to a sellout season at the Seymour Centre), Cabaret, Brand Spanking New, Honeymoon Suite, Richard III, Dancing at Lughnasa, Lemon Delicious and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. New Theatre was set up in 1932 as the Sydney Workers Art Club, opening with the slogan “Art is a Weapon”. The first full-scale production in 1933 was The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. It has produced plays on important political and human rights issues.Louise’s other directing credits include: The God Botherers (Darlinghurst Theatre); Stories from the 428 (Sidetrack Theatre); Macbeth.com (Lighthouse Theatre); Project SciFi (PACT); Birthdays, Christmas & Other Family Disasters (Tunks Productions); Bedtime for Bastards (Crypt Theatre); Roadkill (Short + Sweet); The Curious Pain of Louis XIV (Seymour Centre) and Hamlet (Harlos Productions).Louise is presently in final rehearsals with Noel Coward’s Present Laughter; a production that takes to the stage from November 11th to December 13th at Sydney’s iconic New Theatre. She joins STAGES to discuss her journey as a theatre maker, the iconic New Theatre and her role as Artistic Director.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 595: MARTIN WILLIAMS

  In this episode of STAGES, we’re joined by a craftsman whose work has quietly but powerfully contributed to the stories we see on screen — Set Decorator, Martin Williams.Growing up in Albury, Martin was captivated early by the magic of the cinema. Regular trips to the local picture house sparked a lifelong love of storytelling, and it was Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders that truly set him on his path toward a career in film.Across more than 35 years in the Australian screen industry, Martin has held a wide variety of roles — from runner and driver to props buyer, carpenter, and ultimately, set decorator. His breadth of experience and deep understanding of production have earned him over 50 screen credits, spanning film and television.His recent work includes set decoration on the features Beast in Me and The Deb, as well as popular series such as Mother and Son, CAUGHT*, Last King of the Cross, and Colin from Accounts. Earlier in his career, Martin worked on the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy — one of the first major Hollywood blockbusters to be filmed in Sydney — an experience that offered him a front-row seat to a new era of filmmaking in Australia.Today, we step behind the camera to explore Martin’s remarkable journey, his passion for the craft, and the vital role set decoration plays in bringing stories to life.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 594: KATE MULVANY

  Kate Mulvany is a distinguished Australian actress, playwright, and screenwriter whose career spans theatre, television, and film. Renowned for her compelling performances and evocative writing, Kate has established herself as a significant figure in the Australian arts scene, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards.Kate was born and raised in Geraldton, Western Australia. At university she earned a double major degree in scriptwriting and theatre from Curtin University, where she was tutored by the renowned writer Elizabeth Jolley. Her academic pursuits fuelled her passion for storytelling and acting, laying a foundation for her future career.Amongst a vast resume of stage roles, perhaps her most acclaimed performance is that of Richard III. Her portrayal was praised for its intensity and authenticity, challenging audiences to reconsider notions of ability and theatrics. Mulvany's talent for playing historical and literary figures is further exemplified by her performances as Cassius and Lady Macbeth.Mulvany is a talented playwright and adaptor. Her adaptation of Craig Silvey's novel Jasper Jones has been performed widely across Australia.Her triumph in reimagining classic works is evident in her adaptations of The Harp in the South trilogy by Ruth Park and Mary Stuart by Schiller. Her adaptation of The Harp in the South was produced by the Sydney Theatre Company in 2018, bringing a fresh, feminist perspective to a beloved Australian classic.Kate’s semi-autobiographical play The Seed, won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Independent Production and toured nationally. It has since become a much-loved and studied Australian text.  Medea, co-written by Kate and Anne-Louise Sarks was produced by Belvoir Street Theatre in 2012. Other works include The Danger Age, Blood and Bone, The Web, the musical Somewhere (music and lyrics by Tim Minchin), the oratorio Towards First Light (composition by Iain Grandage), and Storytime.As a screenwriter, Kate co-created and wrote on the internationally-acclaimed TV series Upright, the popular ABC series Summer Love, the Emmy-winning animation series Beat Bugs, and has written two episodes of the Disney Plus series two of The Artful Dodger.Her screen credits include leading roles in Hunters alongside Al Pacino and Jennifer Jason-Leigh; The Clearing; The Twelve; Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis; and double AACTA-nominated roles in the films Better Man and How to Make Gravy. She will soon be seen as Aunt Augusta in the Netflix adaptation of the Miles Franklin novel My Brilliant Career.Her newest work for and on the stage stage is The Shiralee, currently playing at the Drama Theatre for the Sydney Theatre Company. Kate has adapted the iconic novel by Darcy Niland, and also plays the role of Marge, Macauley estranged wife.Kate Mulvany’s work is a testament to resilience, innovation, and fierce creativity. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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• STAGES Episode 593: LISA CALLINGHAM

  Lisa Callingham is a triple threat performer and creative whose professional musical theatre credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Jerry’s Girls, Hot Shoe Shuffle, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Oscar’s Turn to Sing and What the World Needs Now. She starred in Kookaburra Productions’ Pippin as Fastrada, Hello Again as The Whore at Darlinghurst Theatre, she played Maggie in the Australian tour of A Chorus Line, originated the role of Bonnie-Mae in Nick Enright and Max Lambert’s Miracle City for Sydney Theatre Company and was an original member of The Trio, Shena, in both the workshop and full productions of The Boy from Oz. Most recently she was seen as Millicent Winter in Nice Work if you Can Get It at The Hayes Theatre and as the Soap Star in the 2023 National Tour of Menopause The Musical.She appeared in Gillian Armstrong’s Starstruck and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. She has performed live with and recorded for Marcia Hines, Paulini, Paul Mac, Chrissie Amphlett, The Eurogliders, Rhonda Burchmore, Caroline O’Connor, Georgie Parker, Nancye Hayes, Trevor Ashley, Shane Jacobsen, Deni Hines and Christine AnuShe regularly tours with Todd McKenney and is featured on his album The Songs Of Peter Allen.Lisa’s creative credits include Associate Director/ Choreographer on Catch Me If You Can at the Hayes Theatre, Singin’ In The Rain In Concert for QPAC/ Prospero Arts, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Tell Me On A Sunday for MGP and The Hayes Theatre. As a Choreographer, credits include the Boy From Oz 2020 Live from Lockdown video, Anyone Can Whistle for Neglected Musicals and numerous corporate events and Graduate performances.She most recently Directed and Choreographed They’re Playing Our Song for Neglected Musicals and is thrilled to filling those roles once again for in their presentation of The Pajama Game, playing The Foundry Theatre in Sydney from November 5th to 8th.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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