Louise Fischer has an MA in Theatre Studies from UNSW and is celebrating her twentieth year as Artistic Director of New Theatre; an independent company who staged their first production in 1933. 

The theatre has mounted some 550 productions, and is one of Australia’s oldest continuously producing theatres, moving from Pitt Street to Castlereagh Street and then to Kings Cross, until finally settling in its current home on King Street Newtown in 1973.

Louise’s directing credits at New Theatre include: Ink, The Ballad of Maria Marten, Chimerica, Glengarry Glen Ross, Neighbourhood Watch, The Grapes of Wrath, August: Osage County, Australia Day, House of Games, Mother Clap’s Molly House, Enron, The Farnsworth Invention, The Crucible (which transferred to a sellout season at the Seymour Centre), Cabaret, Brand Spanking New, Honeymoon Suite, Richard III, Dancing at Lughnasa, Lemon Delicious and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. 

New Theatre was set up in 1932 as the Sydney Workers Art Club, opening with the slogan “Art is a Weapon”. The first full-scale production in 1933 was The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. It has produced plays on important political and human rights issues.

Louise’s other directing credits include: The God Botherers (Darlinghurst Theatre); Stories from the 428 (Sidetrack Theatre); Macbeth.com (Lighthouse Theatre); Project SciFi (PACT); Birthdays, Christmas & Other Family Disasters (Tunks Productions); Bedtime for Bastards (Crypt Theatre); Roadkill (Short + Sweet); The Curious Pain of Louis XIV (Seymour Centre) and Hamlet (Harlos Productions).

Louise is presently in final rehearsals with Noel Coward’s Present Laughter; a production that takes to the stage from November 11th to December 13th at Sydney’s iconic New Theatre. She joins STAGES to discuss her journey as a theatre maker, the iconic New Theatre and her role as Artistic Director.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

In this episode of STAGES, we’re joined by a craftsman whose work has quietly but powerfully contributed to the stories we see on screen — Set Decorator, Martin Williams.

Growing up in Albury, Martin was captivated early by the magic of the cinema. Regular trips to the local picture house sparked a lifelong love of storytelling, and it was Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders that truly set him on his path toward a career in film.

Across more than 35 years in the Australian screen industry, Martin has held a wide variety of roles — from runner and driver to props buyer, carpenter, and ultimately, set decorator. His breadth of experience and deep understanding of production have earned him over 50 screen credits, spanning film and television.

His recent work includes set decoration on the features Beast in Me and The Deb, as well as popular series such as Mother and Son, CAUGHT*, Last King of the Cross, and Colin from Accounts. Earlier in his career, Martin worked on the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy — one of the first major Hollywood blockbusters to be filmed in Sydney — an experience that offered him a front-row seat to a new era of filmmaking in Australia.

Today, we step behind the camera to explore Martin’s remarkable journey, his passion for the craft, and the vital role set decoration plays in bringing stories to life.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Kate Mulvany is a distinguished Australian actress, playwright, and screenwriter whose career spans theatre, television, and film. Renowned for her compelling performances and evocative writing, Kate has established herself as a significant figure in the Australian arts scene, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Kate was born and raised in Geraldton, Western Australia. At university she earned a double major degree in scriptwriting and theatre from Curtin University, where she was tutored by the renowned writer Elizabeth Jolley. Her academic pursuits fuelled her passion for storytelling and acting, laying a foundation for her future career.

Amongst a vast resume of stage roles, perhaps her most acclaimed performance is that of Richard III. Her portrayal was praised for its intensity and authenticity, challenging audiences to reconsider notions of ability and theatrics. Mulvany's talent for playing historical and literary figures is further exemplified by her performances as Cassius and Lady Macbeth.

Mulvany is a talented playwright and adaptor. Her adaptation of Craig Silvey's novel Jasper Jones has been performed widely across Australia.

Her triumph in reimagining classic works is evident in her adaptations of The Harp in the South trilogy by Ruth Park and Mary Stuart by Schiller. Her adaptation of The Harp in the South was produced by the Sydney Theatre Company in 2018, bringing a fresh, feminist perspective to a beloved Australian classic.

Kate’s semi-autobiographical play The Seed, won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Independent Production and toured nationally. It has since become a much-loved and studied Australian text.  Medea, co-written by Kate and Anne-Louise Sarks was produced by Belvoir Street Theatre in 2012. Other works include The Danger Age, Blood and Bone, The Web, the musical Somewhere (music and lyrics by Tim Minchin), the oratorio Towards First Light (composition by Iain Grandage), and Storytime.

As a screenwriter, Kate co-created and wrote on the internationally-acclaimed TV series Upright, the popular ABC series Summer Love, the Emmy-winning animation series Beat Bugs, and has written two episodes of the Disney Plus series two of The Artful Dodger.

Her screen credits include leading roles in Hunters alongside Al Pacino and Jennifer Jason-Leigh; The Clearing; The Twelve; Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis; and double AACTA-nominated roles in the films Better Man and How to Make Gravy. She will soon be seen as Aunt Augusta in the Netflix adaptation of the Miles Franklin novel My Brilliant Career.

Her newest work for and on the stage stage is The Shiralee, currently playing at the Drama Theatre for the Sydney Theatre Company. Kate has adapted the iconic novel by Darcy Niland, and also plays the role of Marge, Macauley estranged wife.

Kate Mulvany’s work is a testament to resilience, innovation, and fierce creativity. 

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Lisa Callingham is a triple threat performer and creative whose professional musical theatre credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Jerry’s Girls, Hot Shoe Shuffle, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Oscar’s Turn to Sing and What the World Needs Now. 

She starred in Kookaburra Productions’ Pippin as Fastrada, Hello Again as The Whore at Darlinghurst Theatre, she played Maggie in the Australian tour of A Chorus Line, originated the role of Bonnie-Mae in Nick Enright and Max Lambert’s Miracle City for Sydney Theatre Company and was an original member of The Trio, Shena, in both the workshop and full productions of The Boy from Oz. 

Most recently she was seen as Millicent Winter in Nice Work if you Can Get It at The Hayes Theatre and as the Soap Star in the 2023 National Tour of Menopause The Musical.

She appeared in Gillian Armstrong’s Starstruck and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. She has performed live with and recorded for Marcia Hines, Paulini, Paul Mac, Chrissie Amphlett, The Eurogliders, Rhonda Burchmore, Caroline O’Connor, Georgie Parker, Nancye Hayes, Trevor Ashley, Shane Jacobsen, Deni Hines and Christine Anu

She regularly tours with Todd McKenney and is featured on his album The Songs Of Peter Allen.

Lisa’s creative credits include Associate Director/ Choreographer on Catch Me If You Can at the Hayes Theatre, Singin’ In The Rain In Concert for QPAC/ Prospero Arts, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Tell Me On A Sunday for MGP and The Hayes Theatre. As a Choreographer, credits include the Boy From Oz 2020 Live from Lockdown video, Anyone Can Whistle for Neglected Musicals and numerous corporate events and Graduate performances.

She most recently Directed and Choreographed They’re Playing Our Song for Neglected Musicals and is thrilled to filling those roles once again for in their presentation of The Pajama Game, playing The Foundry Theatre in Sydney from November 5th to 8th.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Daniel Abineri is an English actor, director, playwright, songwriter and narrator whose career has spanned theatre, television, film and music across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He is widely recognised as the writer and composer of the satirical rock musical Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom, which first premiered in Melbourne in 1989 and went on to ignite controversy in its 1994 London season when it was closed following protests from the Roman Catholic Church.

Born into a theatrical family, Daniel began his career in repertory theatre before appearing in a series of notable screen roles, including The Best of Enemies (ITV Playhouse), The Schoolmistress for Yorkshire TV, and as Alan Wilson opposite Tatum O’Neal in MGM’s International Velvet (1977). He gained national attention in Britain as Father Neil in the hit ITV comedy Bless Me, Father alongside Arthur Lowe, which ran from 1978 to 1981.

In 1979, Daniel was cast by Richard O’Brien as Dr Frank-N-Furter in the first UK national tour of The Rocky Horror Show. His charismatic performance led to a West End engagement, and subsequently to extensive work in Australia and New Zealand, where he both starred in and directed multiple productions of the cult musical throughout the 1980s. With more than three thousand performances to his name, he holds the distinction of being the longest-running Frank-N-Furter in the world. 

Daniel became a familiar face on Australian television when he was cast as the villainous Jake Sanders in the international hit series Return to Eden. His stage career in Australia flourished with roles such as The Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Gary Lejuene in Michael Blakemore’s production of Noises Off, and Arnold Beckoff in Torch Song Trilogy. His dynamic stage presence and creative versatility cemented his reputation as both performer and director within the Australian theatre community.

Beyond acting, Daniel has directed and produced a number of acclaimed television documentaries, including One Hit Wonders (BBC), Walk on the Wild Side (Granada TV), which explored gender roles in pop and rock through interviews with figures such as Mick Rock, Malcolm McLaren, Pete Burns and Marc Almond, and Murder and Celebrity (UKTV). His documentary A Conversation With James Lovelock explored the ideas of the pioneering scientist behind the Gaia hypothesis.

In addition to his theatre and television work, Daniel has pursued his passion for songwriting. In 2013 he released Honey For Sale, a country/folk-rock album of original songs.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Roger Bart‘s body of work extends to both the small and big screens, as well as to extensive and iconic credits on the stage. 

He may be best known to theatre audiences for originating the role of ‘Carmen Ghia’ in Mel Brooks’ Broadway musical, The Producers, for which he received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations, a part which he recreated in the film adaptation of the musical. He won the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his performance as “Snoopy” in the revival of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. 

In addition to originating the title role in the musical of Young Frankenstein, his other notable stage appearances include Disaster! (Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination), The Frogs, Triumph Of Love, King David, Big River, and the role of “Doc Brown” in the Broadway adaptation of Back to the Future for which he received a Tony Award nomination, following an acclaimed run on the West End where he originated the role. 

He created the role of “Hades” in the NYSF/Public Theatre production of Hercules, revisiting the piece that he first brought to life as the singing voice of “Young Hercules” in the animated film’s Academy Award-nominated song “Go the Distance.”
Bart has worked extensively in television including his roles on the series Good Trouble, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Graves, Grace and Frankie, and Episodes. Other popular television appearances include Revenge, Desperate Housewives and 30 Rock.

His film credits include Office Romance, Man With The Bag, Ghost Light, Speech & Debate, and Jay Roach’s adaptation of Trumbo, as well as Last Vegas, Law Abiding Citizen, Harold & Kumar 2, American Gangster and The Stepford Wives.

Roger Bart has returned to the iconic role of Doc Brown in Back to the Future - the musical for it Australian premiere season at the Lyric theatre in Sydney. He will then tour the show throughout Australia.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Maggie Dence is a celebrated Australian actress whose career has spanned more than six decades across stage, film and television. She is a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, admired for her versatility, warmth and enduring contributions to the performing arts.

Dence’s passion for performance was evident from a young age. She made her stage debut at just sixteen, beginning a professional journey that would see her become one of Australia’s most recognisable and respected performers. Training at the Independent Theatre with Doris Fitton ignited a passion that has never faded.

Her early break came with the satirical sketch series The Mavis Bramston Show in the 1960s, a groundbreaking program that reshaped Australian television comedy. The series established Dence as a dynamic talent with a flair for characterisation and comic timing, qualities that would underpin her long career.

Her screen presence grew with roles in some of Australia’s most iconic film and television productions. On film, she appeared in Ted Kotcheff’s Wake in Fright, now regarded as one of the most significant works in Australian cinema. On television, she became a household name through a string of popular dramas and serials. She was seen as Rose Sullivan in the beloved wartime series The Sullivans, and later as Bev Baker in Prisoner, where her nuanced performance enriched one of the country’s most enduring cult classics. In Neighbours, she charmed audiences as Dorothy Burke, the cultured, eccentric school principal, further cementing her place in the national consciousness. Other television appearances included guest roles in A Country Practice and other long-running staples of the small screen.

She has worked on the stages of many companies around the country in productions as diverse as Shakespeare, Chekhov, Williamson; classical, contemporary and comic. Noises Off, Away, Marjorie Prime, Mongrels, The Shoe-Horn Sonata, The One Day of the Year and Steel Magnolias encompass just a few of her triumphs.

Alongside her stage and screen work, Dence has given generously to the arts community. She has been a committed supporter of the Actors Benevolent Fund, contributing her time and profile to an organisation dedicated to assisting fellow performers in need. This philanthropic work reflects her deep sense of care for the profession and those who share it.

Her remarkable career has been acknowledged with significant honours. Dence was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to the performing arts, and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance awarded her an Equity Lifetime Achievement Award – a fitting tribute to a career defined by longevity, excellence and generosity of spirit.

From her early days in comedy to her iconic soap roles, her film appearances and her theatrical endeavours, Maggie Dence has been a constant and cherished presence in Australian entertainment. With a career built on talent, resilience and passion, she has left an indelible mark on the stage and screen, while also giving back to the community that supported her.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Maggie Dence is a celebrated Australian actress whose career has spanned more than six decades across stage, film and television. She is a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, admired for her versatility, warmth and enduring contributions to the performing arts.

Dence’s passion for performance was evident from a young age. She made her stage debut at just sixteen, beginning a professional journey that would see her become one of Australia’s most recognisable and respected performers. Training at the Independent Theatre with Doris Fitton ignited a passion that has never faded.

Her early break came with the satirical sketch series The Mavis Bramston Show in the 1960s, a groundbreaking program that reshaped Australian television comedy. The series established Dence as a dynamic talent with a flair for characterisation and comic timing, qualities that would underpin her long career.

Her screen presence grew with roles in some of Australia’s most iconic film and television productions. On film, she appeared in Ted Kotcheff’s Wake in Fright, now regarded as one of the most significant works in Australian cinema. On television, she became a household name through a string of popular dramas and serials. She was seen as Rose Sullivan in the beloved wartime series The Sullivans, and later as Bev Baker in Prisoner, where her nuanced performance enriched one of the country’s most enduring cult classics. In Neighbours, she charmed audiences as Dorothy Burke, the cultured, eccentric school principal, further cementing her place in the national consciousness. Other television appearances included guest roles in A Country Practice and other long-running staples of the small screen.

She has worked on the stages of many companies around the country in productions as diverse as Shakespeare, Chekhov, Williamson; classical, contemporary and comic. Noises Off, Away, Marjorie Prime, Mongrels, The Shoe-Horn Sonata, The One Day of the Year and Steel Magnolias encompass just a few of her triumphs.

Alongside her stage and screen work, Dence has given generously to the arts community. She has been a committed supporter of the Actors Benevolent Fund, contributing her time and profile to an organisation dedicated to assisting fellow performers in need. This philanthropic work reflects her deep sense of care for the profession and those who share it.

Her remarkable career has been acknowledged with significant honours. Dence was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to the performing arts, and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance awarded her an Equity Lifetime Achievement Award – a fitting tribute to a career defined by longevity, excellence and generosity of spirit.

From her early days in comedy to her iconic soap roles, her film appearances and her theatrical endeavours, Maggie Dence has been a constant and cherished presence in Australian entertainment. With a career built on talent, resilience and passion, she has left an indelible mark on the stage and screen, while also giving back to the community that supported her.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Paul White studied classical piano at The University of Adelaide with Dr Graham Williams, graduating B.Mus with Honours (Performance) followed by Dip. Jazz Performance. Conducting study began in New York with Broadway legend Gordon Harrell, then continued in Melbourne with the distinguished Romanian conductor, Robert Rosen. This juxtaposition of classical and commercially oriented study enabled Paul to build his career in a variety of musical and theatrical genres.

He has been involved with many of the landmark music theatre productions of the last 35 years, notably playing and conducting 42ND STREET (Helen Montague), WEST SIDE STORY (Victoria State Opera), LES MISERABLES (original Australia/New Zealand tour and Asia/Africa tour – Cameron Mackintosh), MY FAIR LADY (Victoria State Opera), WE WILL ROCK YOU in Tokyo (Louise Withers), MATILDA Australasian tour (Louise Withers, RSC), and The Australian Ballet’s magnificent production of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (GWB/TAB).

He was Musical Director of A CHORUS LINE directed by Baayork Lee (TML Enterprises), OLIVER! (Cameron Mackintosh, IMG), ANNIE (Macks Entertainment, GFO), CHICAGO (IMG), GREASE (GFO), and GREASE – THE ARENA SPECTACULAR (SEL, GFO).

Other highlights include, repetiteur for an extraordinary production of MISS SAIGON in Manila, starring Lea Salonga (Cameron Mackintosh), a lovely association with The Production Company, working on THE BOY FROM OZ, LAZARUS and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and several University productions at WAAPA, the Hong Kong APA, and the VCA.

He has also worked as Pianist/MD with such celebrated artists as Ricky May, Michael Crawford, Danny La Rue, Caroline O’Connor, Toni Lamond, Todd McKenney, Michael Cormick, Rob Guest, Julie Anthony and Simon Gallaher.

For many years Paul had a close association with the Really Useful Company Asia Pacific on their productions throughout the world, and was Musical Director for several productions of CATS, including tours with Lea Salonga and Delta Goodrem, and THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER concert tours. 

Paul is presently on tour with the feline juggernaut CATS, for it’s 40th Australian Anniversary tour and is understandably thrilled to be back with his beloved Cats!

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au

Vidya Makan grew up in Brisbane spending most of her time on the football (soccer) field with dreams of one day becoming a Matilda. However, at the age of 14 after playing flower girl number 3 in her high-school production of My Fair Lady, Vidya decided to take on a much more realistic and stable path and made the wise decision to lead a life in showbiz.

Having learnt to read music at the age of three (before she was able to read English) she is also a cellist and highly skilled pianist. She is a proud graduate of The Bachelor of Musical Theatre program at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, class of 2015. 

Vidya is one of Australia's most exciting multi-hyphenates in the entertainment industry. As a leading lady, she has wowed audiences across the country through her powerful performances as Eliza in Hamilton, Catherine Parr in SIX, Ruby in Bloom and Dot/Marie in Sunday In The Park With George to name a few, all of which saw her nominated for major industry awards. In 2024 she featured on the ABC and Michael Cassel Group’s A (Very) Musical Christmas, and in 2023 she was a guest quiz master on Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention. 

Vidya is also a talented composer and lyricist of her own musicals. Her critically acclaimed debut original The Lucky Country opened to rave reviews in Sydney in 2023 and is being presented this October at Melbourne Theatre Company’s Southbank Theatre and then as part of the MELT festival in Brisbane. The original cast album will be released on all streaming platforms with Origin Music on August 14.

Vidya is currently in development with Queensland Theatre on a new original musical exploring the everyday lives of South Asian Australians working with collaborator Tasnim Hossain.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au