Australia’s shutdowns have had a disastrous impact on the country’s arts companies, and the repercussions will likely be felt long after venues reopen. But history is filled with dark and difficult times that have spawned amazing works of art, theatre and literature.
With that in mind, Malthouse Theatre has announced The Lockdown Monologues – a series of nine monologues based around life in the lockdowns. The theatre has commissioned three local playwrights – Jean Tong, Jane Harrison and Tom Holloway – to create three monologues each. The trio will interview a diverse range of Melburnians to create the monologues, with the aim to produce works that give a theatrical snapshot of the challenging period.
Once written, local actors will be cast to perform the monologues across three livestreamed performances on June 3, June 17 and July 3. The Lockdown Monologues will be directed by Malthouse Theatre’s director in residence Bridget Balodis, who says: “The writers are uncovering a range of experiences, from people who have had direct, frontline contact with the virus to those who are feeling the unexpected ripples.”
“It’s a combination of voices — those you might expect to hear from and those who audiences may not have considered yet.”
All three performances will be free to watch online, but you will need to register your attendance to receive the livestream link.
