Petra Kalive

Created in collaboration with compoer Ashlee Clapp, Ida tells the stories of the first women gradates at Melbourne University.

LINK TO THE AGE ARTICLE - Meet the first-ever cohort of women to graduate from uni - in Melbourne

In a world where the footsteps of men resonated through the halls of Melbourne University, a vibrant and powerful narrative unfolds. This play with music, set in the late 19th century, brings to life the fearless women who dared to break the confines of academia. Each embodying the spirit of resilience and an unwavering quest for knowledge.

The work underscores the transformative power of knowledge and the tireless pursuit of equality. The women challenge the status quo, proving that intellect is not bound by gender.

This production serves not only as a testament to the past but also as an inspiring message for future generations. It echoes the sentiment that breaking free from tradition is possible, encouraging audiences to reflect on the progress made and the ongoing fight for equality in all fields. As the final notes resound, the stage becomes a platform for hope and inspiration, illuminating the path for those who continue to shatter barriers.

Ida is play with music about the fearless women who shattered the ivory tower of academia at Melbourne University. Picture a stage set in the late 19th century, echoing with the footsteps of men alone, until a group of trailblazing women fought against all odds for their right to knowledge.

Collaborators

Ashlee Clapp is a multi-award winning theatre composer who has built a career spanning the globe. She is a university lecturer, conductor, musical director, theatre maker, orchestrator, multiinstrumentalist, vocalist and workshop facilitator. Highlights include: Composition commission for Aboriginal musical, My Longest Round, 2022 (Creative Vic grant recipient). Composer, Music director and orchestrator for children’s musical Filter Fun Park, 2023 (Filter Your Future, Melbourne), plus a 2024 remount in Yagan Square, Perth (Brightside Productions). Musical director for the WA tour of Miss Westralia, 2021. Sound composer in Melbourne Theatre Company’s Women in Theatre program, 2020. Composition mentor for Salty theatre and Theatre Works’ The Hatch Lab, Musical Theatre residency, 2020. Aspire International Music Festival second place winner for commissioned choral piece; Nintiritjaku Nganampa Nguraku, Gold Coast, 2019. Composer and musical director for Forgiveness, toured from Melbourne’s MLIVE festival to the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, China, 2019. Musical Director and conductor for My Brilliant Career, 2019, Melbourne. Union House Theatre composition commissions and musical director for projects from 2012 through to 2018. Ashlee has been a lecturer in composition, collaborative theatre making, choir conducting and musical director/pit conductor for various Universities; Monash University, Federation University and WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) from 2012-2021. Ashlee is passionate about social outreach and is the founder and director of Soundscape, which runs song-writing/music video/drumming workshops in remote Aboriginal communities to promote local Language and youth engagement.

STELLA is a new Aussie musical in development by composer/lyricist Monique diMattina, telling the extraordinary life story of Australian author Stella Miles Franklin.

Tix available now to STELLA in concert Sunday 26 May 2pm at the Brunswick Balllroom

Featuring Alma Zygier as Stella and an all star cast including Fem Belling, Xani Kolac, Esther Henderson, Kalina Krusteva, Cat Canteri, Sam Lemann & Monique diMattina

Inspired by the podcast from Radio Lab, ‘The Living Room’, Window explores the voyeur in us all. There is no denying that we derive intense pleasure from watching, comparing, getting caught up in other people’s stories or snatching a look at someone’s private life. We look over our neighbours fences, we gossip, we share stories. But what are the ethical implications of ‘watching’ the unaware? What happens when we can’t look away? Window takes these ideas and explores the complexities of the ‘voyeur’. It investigates why we take such pleasure in observing others and what we learn about ourselves when we do.

Drawing also from Hitchcock’s Rear Window, and Robert LePage’s Lipsynch, Window will display the action of two domestic environments simultaneously, visually one on top of the other. The audience witness two stories unfolding, that of the watcher and the watched.  The watcher is a middle-aged woman who happens to notice that new neighbours have moved in across the road. Although she can see her new neighbours it doesn’t appear that they are able to see her. Thus begins an intimate one-sided relationship. She becomes obsessed with the minutiae of their lives – watching becomes part of her daily routine. What she doesn’t expect is to come to care for her neighbours and be so utterly changed by watching their lives unfold.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT DECEMBER 2023 - University of Melbourne New Union Theatre with the following cast and creative team

PERFORMERS

Margot Fenley

Karl Richmond

Merlynn Tong

CREATIVE TEAM

Movement Director - Xanthe Beesley

Composer / Sound Designer - Rachel Lewindon

Lighting Design - Richard Vabre

Set Design - Matilda Woodroofe