Barstool Conversation - Singing the Blackbird

Join us at Headland Theatre for a special Barstool Conversation with the creative team behind Singing the Blackbird, a new Australian play currently in development.

In 1914, celebrated Shakespearean actress Ellen Terry found herself stranded in Australia, going blind and unable to return to England. She came to stay with Australian opera legend Dame Nellie Melba, whom she already knew, and with the outbreak of war and restrictions on their movements, the two women forged a remarkable friendship — full of conflict, surprises and unexpected connections.

Created by Damien Ryan (Director) and Kate Flaherty (Writer), Singing the Blackbird explores a fascinating moment in Australian social and cultural history, while asking questions that remain strikingly relevant today: What does it mean for women to sustain a creative career and sense of identity as they grow older? How do ambition, family and artistic life collide? And who gets to decide when an artist's time is over?

The team will be undertaking a creative development of the work in Tathra at Headland Theatre, and this Barstool Conversation is a chance to meet the artists, hear about the work as it develops and get a glimpse inside the creative process.

Come along for an informal conversation, a drink and a fascinating look at a new Australian work taking shape right here on the Far South Coast.

Presented by Crimson Rosella Creative Adventures, Sport for Jove and supported by ArtsACT and Tathra Hotel

Damien Ryan is Managing Director and Artistic Director of Sport for Jove Theatre, now in its twelfth year, where he has directed more than 30 productions, written and developed three new works and adapted over a dozen plays. The company has a comprehensive Education Program developed by Ryan and works with tens of thousands of Australian students annually at secondary and tertiary levels. He has worked extensively with Shakespeare, performing in or directing over 70 productions in Australia and overseas, and has worked as actor, director and writer across Australia’s major companies including STC, MTC, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir, Sydney Festival, Canberra Theatre Centre, Brisbane Festival, Queensland Theatre and in the Independent sector in Sydney.

Kate Flaherty is a Senior Lecturer in English and Drama at ANU. She researches how Shakespeare’s works play on the stage of public culture. Her sole-authored books are Ellen Terry, Shakespeare and Suffrage in Australia and New Zealand (CUP, 2025), and Ours as We Play it: Australia Plays Shakespeare (UWAP, 2011). Other articles and chapters explore aspects of 19th century Shakespeare performance such as touring, education, and gender. Her publication venues include Contemporary Theatre Review, Shakespeare Survey, New Theatre Quarterly, The Guardian, and The Conversation. Kate is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and winner of the ANU VC’s Award for Excellence in Education.

INFO

Date/Time: Friday 11 September | 6pm

Free with registration

Duration: 60min

Bistro opening hours: 5:30 to 8:00pm (bookings recommended