Composer Luke Styles, Kurdish-Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani and translator and collaborator Omid Tofighian join Richard ahead of ‘No Friend but the Mountains: A Symphonic Song Cycle’ premiering at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Inspired by Boochani’s book of the same name written secretly in Farsi whilst on Manus Island, this adaptation explores his brutal detention experience through the language of music.

Susan Provan, CEO of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival speaks about the challenges of returning to the stage after the cancellation of last year’s festival just weeks before its launch. The 2021 program will feature local acts front and centre, as well as an array of online and on demand streaming events from much loved international names.

Meg McNena, writer of ‘A Name for Herself’, talks about her new play following the women at the forefront of Ireland’s Easter Rising of 1916. Based on the true story of Irish activist Countess Constance Markievicz, the play is directed by Dublin-born Lynda Fleming, and premieres at the Renaissance Theatre, East Kew.

Finally, Eugenia Flynn, Director of Collingwood Yards unveils the new arts precinct and community hub located in the heart of Melbourne’s inner north. Spanning over 6500sqm and with over 50 separate tenancies, the space will open in stages from April this year.