13th – 22nd June
Gasworks Arts Park

BEACHSIDE STORIES was a co-production between Gasworks Arts Park and Melbourne Writers’ Theatre. It was presented in the Studio Theatre at Gasworks Arts Park – the publicity teaser ran as follows:

Secrets, fears, admissions and ambitions – the Private thoughts of some Public figures

A flamboyant mayor with a passion for lycra. A trail-blazing Uniting Church minister with a passion for justice. A South Melbourne Market vendor with a passion for singing. No doubt you are familiar with these celebrated locals whose energy, non-conformity and generosity have shaped the Port Phillip landscape – but do you really know them?

Prepare to be surprised as
MAYOR DICK GROSS
REV. CORALIE LING
PETER LOGAN
MELISAND BOX
& TONY MANAGO
share their hopes, their fears, and their Private Selves in this entertaining hour of storytelling.

Directed & Designed by Elizabeth Walley

Presented by Gasworks Arts Park & Melbourne Writers’ Theatre

Beachside Stories was a collection of short plays, created by writers from Melbourne Writers’ Theatre following open and candid interviews with each of the 5 local stars. Each local star took to the stage, accompanied by a professional actor to reveal their Private Selves. Below are some candid photos of our Stars, taken between rehearsals at a Local beach:

The writers and actors were, in order of show appearance:
Bruce Shearer      Only Ghosts Can Second-Guess  (uncovering Dick Gross)    Performed by Alec Gilbert
Clare Mendes       Rhapsody in Purple  (pondering Coralie Ling)    Performed by Emma Cox
Alison Knight       Logan’s Run   (reliving Peter Logan)    Performed by Giovanni Piccolo)
Brooke Fairley     The True Imaginings of Melisand Box  (exploring Melisand Box)    Performed by Karissa Taylor
Adele Shelley       The Singing Butcher  (celebrating Tony Manago)    Performed by Sarah Hamilton & Tony Adams

Elizabeth Walley    Director & Designer
Melissa Pearson    Stage Manager

Cast and Crew biographies
If you would like to learn more about the Writers, Stars, Actors, Director and crew members who joined hands on the Beach to create this interesting show, you can read the Show Program.

REVIEWS

http://www.whatdidshethink.com/2019/06/beachside-stories-theatre-review.html

https://www.theatrepeople.com.au/beachside-stories/

http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/beachside-stories

http://pationpics.com/2019/06/15/beachside-stories-open-media-review/

Watch a 45-second trailer for Beachside Stories, created by Open Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbYjx81vKxA

BEACHSIDE STORIES was presented by Gasworks Arts Park in association with Melbourne Writers’ Theatre. MWT gratefully acknowledges the support of staff at Gasworks Arts Park throughout the process of bringing this show to life, and would also like to thank the City of Port Phillip for making it possible to create a theatrical production such as this. We’d also like to thank everyone who came along to see Beachside Stories, particularly the many local patrons. We hoped you enjoyed our creative offering, and we can’t wait to show you the next one.