This performance is presented as part of the VCA Master of Theatre (Writing) Festival 2025.

Margaret Solves a Murder

Written by Emma Gibson

Margaret Solves a Murder is a comedy whodunnit about three older women who are brought together by a murder in a regional caravan park. As suspicions are cast on different residents, Margaret, Wendy and Pamela overcome their rivalry, resentment and suspicion of each other as they take over the investigation, much to the ire of the police.

Content Note

This performance contains discussions of violence and murder.

Runtime

This performance will run for approximately 75 minutes.

Performance schedule

Thursday 13 November, 12PM
Friday 14 November, 8PM

Credits

Director: Kate Fryer
Dramaturg: Amy Welsh

About the writer

Emma Gibson is a playwright and dramaturg, currently completing a Master of Theatre (Writing) at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Her writing has been described as smart, stimulating and vital. Recent credits include: After Rebecca (La Mama Theatre 2024), The Cuddle Parlour (The Knack/Butterfly Club, 2021), and Alternative Futures (Bullet Heart Club/Theatre Works 2021).

Emma was one of Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2020 Women in Theatre, and dramaturg for its 2021 Cybec Electric season. She was a She Writes writer in residence at Theatre Works.

She also creates place-based work, including an audio story to be listened to on a tram (Melbourne City of Literature, 2023) and a site-specific walking tour (City of Merri-bek, 2020).

Emma’s work has been presented at Hot House Theatre, the Street Theatre Canberra, La Mama ETC New York, and the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, UK and at fringe festivals across Australia and the UK.

Acknowledgement

Thank you to all at the VCA, especially Raimondo Cortese, Chris Mead, Emily Sheehan, Michele Lee and Amy Sole, as well as Kate Fryer, Amy Welsh and our wonderful team. Thank you also to Brooke Robinson, Dimity Barber and James Tuckerman, and to Varuna, where I began early work on this play. To my partner, Cesar Facre, and all of my family - any similarities are purely coincidental. Finally, the biggest thanks to the rest of the writers - I love youse all.

Ticket Price

Free. Registrations required on Humanitix.

Please note that there is often a drop-off in attendance at our free events on the day of the performance. If this event is booked out and you have not secured a ticket, we encourage you to arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the advertised start time and speak to our Front of House team. Once audience members with tickets have been seated, any remaining seats will be made available to patrons waiting at the door. Please be advised that entry without securing a ticket in advance cannot be guaranteed.

If you have booked for a performance and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking via your Humanitix account or email us at fineartsmusic-tickets@unimelb.edu.au.

Venue

This reading takes place in Studio 4, located in the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building which is accessible via paths in the Dodds Street Linear Park.
Please meet our friendly Front of House staff in the foyer on the ground floor of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building. Studio 4 is then accessible via the stairs or lift.

Read more about the Master of Theatre (Writing) graduates presenting this season.

Image: Don Shearman.

PARKING

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine.

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.
In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat.
Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.