Is all art, is in some ways manipulative? Isn’t entertainment just another means to educate? 

Today’s guest is Wesley Enoch, a writer and director that has helped shape some of Australia’s most iconic and celebrated Indigenous theatre productions including “The Sapphires” the true story turned play by Tony Briggs that become a film earning 20 million at the Australian box office. 

It’s always a real personal treat to hear about the history and background to a iconic or landmark piece of art - but this conversation showed me the different philosophies and methodologies every individual takes to shape the messages and causes they are passionate about. How art can be as Wesley suggests a “trojan horse for change…”

He has worked as Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company, the Sydney Festival, a for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. His many original plays are celebrated pieces of Australian theatre and we chat from his office at Sydney Festival in 2019 - yes this is another one from the vault! - He ramble through his early days plying his trade, his mentor Nick Enright, the Australian playwright and director and how that infused his work and life as a director… but it comes back to the Sapphires today folks - the story of four women that travel to Vietnam to sing for troops in 1968. A true story turned play, turned film that inspired and educated many of us. Without us realising at the time. 

The Sapphires Film Trailer

Buy The Sapphires Soundtrack

Writer of the play TONY BRIGGS talks about previous Australian production

Wesley Enoch's Plays

Produced by Old Fashioned Studios

Hosted by Bradley McCaw

Sound design by Matt Erskine & Cross Point Solutions

Story Producer & additional engineering by Gilang Candraditya

Theme composed by James Ryan