With episodes nearing 300 in the STAGES archive, it’s time to revisit conversations featured in our previous seasons.

STAGES spotlights such episodes, in case you missed them the first time ‘round - or so you can simply savour, a second listen.

Either way, you’ll accessing precious oral histories from the people who were there, on and around our stages.

There are very few Australian directors who can lay claim to have conquered the stages of the world. This accolade belongs to the trailblazing Gale Edwards; one of our most acclaimed directors. In a career spanning more than 30 years she has rewarded audiences with visceral and vibrant story-telling.

As a preeminent story-teller she is the first Australian to have opened large commercial musicals on Broadway and in the West End. She is the only Australian to have directed at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-on-Avon - and the only woman to have directed on their main-stage.

Gale Edwards is frank, astute, intuitive and possesses an infectious sense of humour. It is evident that she adores her role as a story-teller and is most reverential in her respect for the texts to which she gives life. The incredible joy she experiences in being in a rehearsal room is palpable.

Gale was the guest on STAGES in 2019 in a compelling 2-part conversation. We shine the spotlight today on our first episode with Gale.

Hers is a fascinating story and it was a privilege to spend time with this astute theatre-maker as she shared insight, assessment and anecdotes of a celebrated and trailblazing career.

The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au