PLAYING UP @ MONTSALVAT: a fish is a terrible friend

Join us for a play reading of a fish is a terrible friend – an innovative and intriguing new Australian play by Arteles Creative Centre alumni and runner-up in the Alpine Theatre Writing Prize, Phoebe Anne Taylor.

SHORT SYNOPSIS:
The world is going to end today, we don’t know how, but it’s going to happen and Omega has come a long way to read a love letter.

Content warning: discussions of the apocalypse, talk of violence and self harm, discussion of sex and occasional strong language

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:

PHOEBE ANNE TAYLOR

Phoebe Anne Taylor is an independent theatre maker, actor, writer and photographer.  She was a member of the inaugural Howard Fine Acting Studio Full Time Ensemble, the 2009 Monash Academy of Performing Arts Graduate Ensemble and holds two Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degrees. She is a proud member of the award winning Shakespeare Republic ensemble, Incognita Enterprises producing team, and in 2019 joined the distinguished company of the Arteles Creative Centre’s alumni having completed the Silence, Awareness, Existence programme in Finland.

Prior to this, she was the Founding co-Artistic Director of North of Eight Theatre Company, and Founder and Director of her own theatre making business: Another Effing Theatre Company (formerly Apples and Shoes).

Recent acting theatre credits include roles in The Hidden Orchard, Women’s Shout, Low Level Panic, Spring Awakening, Never Ending Night, Love Bird and Cocoon. Her recent film credits include roles in The Good Room, Dream of the Songstress, Raylene and Charlie and Slowcooker.

As a director, Phoebe is most passionate about working with writers to develop contemporary Australian texts, working on the premiere productions of The Will to Be, Love Bird and Buried at Sea. In this vein, she has also worked dramaturgically to help focus new writing, most recently on Turn, Turn, Turn. She has also worked with Holmesglen TAFE to help students understand how to stage new works, from script to stage. Phoebe has also recently directed Holding the Man, and in a prior life worked with students at the University of Melbourne to help stage works as director, outside eye and mentor.

In 2020, Phoebe’s fourth full length play the sorry game was selected as runner up in the Alpine Theatre Writing Prize. Her second full length work the art of f***ing was programmed at La Mama theatre having been developed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, returning there after a season of her experimental work no blinding light. Short works have been selected multiple years in The Madwomen Monologues, and experimental works based on textual collage have been included in the Shakespeare Festival at Melbourne University, winning commendations for concept, writing and performance.

Phoebe has worked behind the scenes most notably with Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival, Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre Company, Underground Cinema and City of Melbourne’s Christmas Festival. She is currently the Front of House and Risk Administration Manager for the Rising Festival, Melbourne. Phoebe is also proud to be one of the mentors working with disabled artists represented by Loom Arts and Management.

EVENT DETAILS:

DATE/S:
Friday, March 8, 2024

TIME:
7.00pm-9.30pm

CAST
Sarah Hallam, Paul Rochford and Sally McLean

Full Information about the Incognita@Montsalvat program: https://events.incognitaenterprises.com

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

WELCOME TO INCOGNITA@MONTSALVAT

Incognita Enterprises is delighted to be partnering with the prestigious and historically significant Arts venue, Montsalvat, located in breath-taking surrounds in Eltham, Victoria, just 37 mins drive from the Melbourne CBD, where we will be offering a program of workshops, masterclasses and live theatrical events across the year.

Come join us for writing workshops, acting masterclasses, Shakespeare classes and other Performing Arts educational offerings for teenagers and adults. Attend entertainment industry Q&A sessions each month with experienced actors, directors and others to learn more about the film, television and theatre industries. Come along to our monthly play readings, where professional actors will read new plays from emerging and experienced playwrights.

Later in the year, we are excited to be offering two theatrical events that you won’t want to miss. A very special theatrical production, written for Montsalvat’s 90th Anniversary celebrations and a large scale immersive promenade Shakespeare theatre installation – both featuring professional actors and showcasing the Montsalvat Resident Artists’ talents and works. More information to come on both these events, so make sure you subscribe to our mailing list, so you don’t miss out!

We look forward to seeing you at beautiful Montsalvat in person!



MAIN HEADER PHOTO: A fish jumps out of the sea. Photo from Pexels.