In our latest 'In the SALOON with…', host Jane Messer talks with writer Margo Lanagan and performer, Paul Capsis.
We take a deep dive into Margo's short story ‘Singing My Sister Down’ which was performed by Paul at StorySALOON’s June live show. In this episode, Margo speaks about the original writing of 'Singing My Sister Down', and the unique aspects of the short story as a genre. Paul discusses his performance of the work, and his own life as a performer, and the impact of his family on his work and his reading of 'Singing My Sister Down'.
MARGO is one of Australia’s most admired writers of short stories and novels for adults and young adults. She is the author of over a dozen novels and short story collections, and has received four World Fantasy Awards, one of them being for 'Singing My Sister Down'.
PAUL CAPSIS is one of Australia’s most extraordinary and versatile performers. He has appeared in theatre, live concerts, cabaret, film, and television both in Australia and internationally. Most recently he’s had roles at Griffin Theatre, and in the television series Wellmania and Deep Water.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about StorySALOON's live shows and podcasts at www.storysaloon.com.au
This first seasons of StorySALOON Podcast has been produced with funding from Copyright Agency, Create NSW and Creative Australia.
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'In Disguise, Lying Low' by Anne Casey-Hardy, read by Esha Jessy
In this week's episode we’re going to hear ‘In Disguise, Lying Low’ by Anne Casey-Hardy, read by Esha Jessy.
The story is taken from Anne’s debut collection of short stories, wickedly titled Cautionary Tales for Excitable Girls (published by Scribner https://shorturl.at/Wk1To). Her acclaimed short stories are wonderfully sharp, irreverent tales of sisterhood, motherhood and friendships. In the words of one reviewer, her stories “crackle with energy and desire.”
Reading ‘In Disguise, Lying Low’ tonight is the Esha Jessy — a recent graduate of NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Esha’s been quick to get on the stage, most recently in the play Amber at the Old Fitz Theatre and in reading roles for ‘Fangirls’ and ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ with the Sydney Theatre Company.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about StorySALOON's live shows and podcasts at www.storysaloon.com.au
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Three flash fictions by Gillian O'Shaughnessy, read by Monica Sayers
In this episode we present three flash fictions by West Australian writer Gillian O'Shaughnessy, from our June live show.
Gillian is an award-winning writer whose flash fictions and short stories have been published widely in Australian and international journals and anthologies.
The reading is by Monica Sayers, returning to StorySALOON a second time. Sayers is a proud Australian born Chinese actor, director, and voice artist. She has acted in many film and television roles, and with major theatre companies including the Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, and Hayes Theatre.
Gillian O'Shaughnessy's stories have been published in online journals, and can be read by following the link to her website at https://gillianoshaughnessy.com/
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about StorySALOON's live shows and podcasts at www.storysaloon.com.au
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'In the Saloon with' Paddy O'Reilly and Monica Sayers
Welcome to 'In the Saloon With...', where StorySALOON host Jane Messer meets with an author and actor from the live show for a deep-dive into the writing of the short story and the actor's performance of it.
In this episode we talk with Paddy O'Reilly, author of 'Baggage Claim' and Monica Sayers, who read the story live for StorySALOON's May 2025 show.
Paddy's novels and short stories have been published, anthologised and broadcast in Australia, Europe, China, the UK and the USA. Her most recent book, the novel Other Houses, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2023.
Monica Sayers is a proud Australian born Chinese artist who works as an actor, director, and voiceover artist. Her many tv and stage roles have included The Messenger, Rake, Love My Way and Romeo and Juliet (Bell Shakespeare) Chimerica and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Hugo Weaving (Sydney Theatre Co) and Hay Fever with Marina Prior (Melbourne Theatre Co).
You can read 'Baggage Claim' online in the journal Overland, Issue 231, Winter 2018.
Jane Messer is the host of StorySALOON Live and StorySALOON Podcast. Find out more about StorySALOON at www.storysaloon.com.au.
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'Baggage Claim' by Paddy O'Reilly, read by Monica Sayers
Our final story from StorySALOON's live 6 May show is 'Baggage Claim' by Paddy O'Reilly. Paddy's novels and short stories have won and been shortlisted for a number of major awards, and been published, anthologised and broadcast in Australia, Europe, China, the UK and the USA.
'Baggage Claim' was read by Monica Sayers, a proud Australian born Chinese artist who works as an actor, director, and voiceover artist. Her tv and stage roles have included The Messenger, Rake, Love My Way and Romeo and Juliet (Bell Shakespeare) Chimerica and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Hugo Weaving (Sydney Theatre Co) and Hay Fever with Marina Prior (Melbourne Theatre Co).
You can read 'Baggage Claim' online in the journal Overland, Issue 231, Winter 2018.
Find out more about StorySALOON's live shows and podcasts at www.storysaloon.com.au
StorySALOON Podcast is your listen-anytime creative fix. Contemporary short stories, written by award-winning and emerging writers. Narrated on stage by Australia’s most talented actors, at The Vanguard in Sydney. Recorded live for podcast. Plus a monthly in-conversation, ’In the Saloon with...’ an author and actor. Hosted by Jane Messer. www.storysaloon.com.au
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