Dear Mama, There's Something Maybe I Should Tell You... 親愛的媽媽, 有些事我也許應該要告訴你...
- Varous Locations Melbourne (map)
Image: Sarah Clarke. Graphic Design: Ashley Tardy
Join us for the premier season of Lansy Feng’s original work ‘Dear Mama, There’s Something Maybe I Should Tell You…’
親愛的媽媽, 有些事我也許應該要告訴你...
A cross-cultural love story.
When Li-Ting escapes from Taiwan to arrive in Melbourne, she's expecting to find love, a career and new beginnings.
She stumbles into so much more.
Dear Mama follows Li-Ting and her eclectic crew of misfit mates on a messy and hilarious journey to find new community, new stories, new lingo, and a whole new love of beer.
But what is Li-Ting hiding?
Dear Mama is an original piece performed in English, Mandarin and French with musical interludes and original songs.
Play by Lansy Feng
Directed by Ellen O’Connor
Produced by Wit Incorporated
With support from Maribyrnong Arts and Culture
Duration: approximately 120 minutes
(with interval)
Contains adult themes and occasional coarse language. Occasional use of strobe and haze.
SHOW DATES
Bluestone Church Arts Space l 27-30 APRIL
Brunswick Mechanic Institute l 13-14 MAY
WED-SAT 7:30pm, SAT Matinee 3pm
Relaxed performance: 30th April 3pm
Auslan Interpreted show: 29th April 7:30pm
The Bowery theatre l 20 MAY
FRI 7pm, followed by a Q and A.
Sonia Marcon as Jordan; James Lau as Sam; Lansy Feng as Li-Ting; Georgia Radley as Alex; Meg Farrough as Ash. Image: Sarah Clarke
CAST
Lansy Feng as Li-Ting | Georgia Radley as Alex | Anthony Pontonio as Charles |
James Lau as Sam | Meg Farrough as Ash | Michael Chan as Fiancé/Baba/Thief |
Sasha Leong as Frankie/Mama | Sonia Marcon as Jordan
CREATIVES
Director Ellen O’Connor | Musical Director Sass Pinci | Production Manager Reis Low | Stage Manager Barbara Toohey | Set Designer Riley Tapp | Sound Designer Jarman Oakley | Costume Designer Chelsea Maron | Lighting Designer Jason Ng Junjie | Assistant Director/Publicist Emma Drysdale | Marketing Madeleine Magee Carr | Graphic Designer Ashley Tardy | Writer Lansy Feng l Photographer Sarah Clarke l Intimacy coach JC Jacinta Scadden
The Artists
I’m Michael Chan, 38 years old and living in Geelong. In 2016 I joined Back-to-Back Theatre through Writing & Acting for Film & TV Project as an Artist in Residence and then made my theatrical debut in the GSODA’s production of Chess: The Musical in 2016. In June 2019 I was appointed as a guest artist with the Ensemble to act as an understudy before landed a leading role for the work The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes. I've been recognised through ABC’s TV ‘The Mix’ where interviewed about the show and my Member Profile appeared on the Arts Access Australia (AAA) website whilst applied for Travel Grant to attend 2019 Meeting Place held in Canberra. Last year I undertook an My Story project through the City of Greater Geelong. With exemplary achievements for all success in the field of area and/or interest I've been an recipient of the 2020 Geelong Awards for People with a Disability, under the Achievement category. Early this year I performed La Mama’s production of Breeders, where I played multiple roles within the ensemble such as shadow ministers and doctors who cared for a mother who give birth to a child who diagnosed with autism. Recently, my writing piece has appeared on the Writing Place '21 magazine as part of the Arts Access Australia's Meeting Place 2021 conference.
Emma is a British actor and director trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. She has been living “down under” since 2018. Credits in London include: the Olivier award-winning 'Goodnight Mr Tom' (West End/UK Tour) 'That Face' (Tara Arts Theatre) ‘BBC Prom 19: Sondheim at 80’ (Royal Albert Hall) Credits in Melbourne include: ‘The Beautiful Game’ (Chapel Off Chapel) , 'Red Hollywood' (MC Showroom) Midsumma hit 'Eyes Wide Woke' (Bitten By Productions) Film & VO include: 'Perfection' which won Best Comedy - Melbourne Short Film Festival '22, radio play 'The Lucas Betrayal' and voicing the Sprinkle Fairy in 'Big Words, Small Stories' an animation series for ABC Kids.
Lansy Feng is a Taiwanese-Australian actor, singer, writer, and theatre-maker based in Melbourne. A Green Room Award nominee for Leading Role in Independant Musical Thetare (Hidden Tunes by Small Ripple Theatre), she trained at the National Theatre Drama School and the Howard Fine Acting Studio. Alongside numerous theatre and screen credits, Lansy creates multilingual works that celebrate cultural identity, including her acclaimed solo cabaret How I Met My Dead Husband and the original play Dear Mama, There’s Something Maybe I Should Tell You. She is thrilled to present the bold and provocative Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again with this wonderful team.
James is a Chinese-Australian Actor & Creative born in Hong Kong and raised in Melbourne, Australia. James is a Graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and completed a BFA in Acting & Theatre Practice in 2017. He has since appeared on stage and on screen professionally, with TV credits including supporting roles on 'Glitch' (ABC/Netflix) as Wey Yun in 2019 and 'New Gold Mountain' (SBS) as Ah Chua - Opium Seller in 2021. Most recently in 2022 James worked with Wit Inc. on stage and played Sam in ‘Dear Mama..." (Wit Incorporated), followed up by playing the lead character and role of Ken in ‘Ken’s Quest’ (La Mama Theatre).
Sasha Leong is a Malaysian Chinese actor, represented by Who Artists. Sasha has worked on-screen and theatre/live performance for more than nine years. Since moving to Melbourne, she has trained with the faculty at Howard Fine Acting Studios, Katherine Beck, The Rehearsal Room, and The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA).
Sasha worked on independent shorts Match Point (2021), Rocks (2021), Burger with the Lot (2014) and the award-winning, Full Disclosure (2017). She was also an ensemble member in Ghost and The Interview for Snatches 2020. Past productions in Malaysia include Trick or Treat: A Halloween Musical (2014), The Betrayal (shortlisted as a Finalist) in the Short & Sweet Theatre Festival 2012, Kleting Kuning and the Giant Crab (2012) playing both roles of Nyai Rondo and Yuyu Kangkang the Giant Crab, Chow Kit Road: The Musical (2013), ‘Showdown: The Movie’(2016), and infomercial ‘Bisikan Hati’ (2011).
In addition to acting, Sasha is a strong advocate for diverse representation and inclusion in the creative industries. She is excited to work with Wit Incorporated, a theatre company which shares similar values in creating accessible theatre for and by the community. Previous projects and collaborations available at www.sashaleong.com.
Reis Low is an emerging arts manager and maker with a background in theatre and dance. They are a member of the Dirty Laundry Collective, and Support Artist to Union House Theatre’s current project, The Switch. Reis' recent management credits include producing/stage managing Union House Theatre’s Explorations (La Mama 2019), co-stage managing La Nonna (Melbourne Fringe 2019), and producing/managing The Good Person Recipe (Melbourne Fringe 2018). In 2019, Reis interned at La Mama, founded University of Melbourne’s physical theatre group Floor Work, facilitated movement workshops at the George Paton Gallery, and won Mudfest's Movement Award for their first solo performance Calibrate. Last year, they created digital work White Shirt Experiments (Union House Theatre and Dirty Laundry Collective), directed physical theatre short film Facet (Floor Work), and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
Madeleine graduated in 2018 with a dip. in Musical Theatre from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She joined Wit Incorporated in 2020, running their Wit Kids drama program and as a company member. With Wit, she has previously played Meg in ‘Every Second’ (dir. Emma Drysdale, 2021), Hen in ‘Bleached’ by Laura Collins (dir. Ruby Rees, 2023) and Rdeca in ‘First Love is the Revolution’ by Rita Kalnejais (dir. Emma Drysdale, 2024). She was awarded best actress at Canberra Short Film Festival (2021) for her performance as Jacquie in multi award winning ‘This River’ (dir. Naomi Fryer) which can be streamed on ABC iview. She can currently be seen on the festival circuit in ‘Hold Still’ by Emily Dynes, which won ‘Best Short Film’ at MQFF.
Sonia Marcon has always had an obsession for performing. She grew up in Perth and after realising her love for the stage from a young age she began her formal training with a four-year Theatre & Drama degree from Murdoch University. During this time, she was heavily involved in the Perth theatre scene as an actor, singer and dancer. She knew this was her calling when she found she could walk through the city and get recognised by strangers who had seen her in various productions including Beatrice in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”; a Spanish-dancing Death in Lorca’s “Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding”); Kate in Pinter’s “Old Times” and Eponine in “Les Misérables”.
Sonia was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis four years into her performing life but that did not slow her down. From then she starred as Julie in the Australian comedy “Cosi”, the monologue-heavy role of Chorus in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” plus leading roles in the Guild Equity Trust Award-nominated original thriller “Serpentine” and the Guild Equity Trust Award-winning original drama “Cry Havoc”. She didn’t even let her relocation from Perth to Melbourne get in the way of her performing career. In fact, this move was a highlight regarding her love of inclusive theatre where difference could be embraced with open arms.
Since the move Sonia feels that her obsession for performance has hit an all-time high. She starred as Sicinius in Heartstring’s acclaimed all-female production of Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”, the hugely successful production of The Regina Monologues by 24 Carrot Productions as well as original theatre shows for La Mama and Owl & Cat Theatre. She has performed at the Malthouse Theatre, the Melba Spiegeltent and ACMI (Australian Centre of the Moving Image) and enjoyed performing in the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the ButohOUT Festival, Midsummer Festival and AustenCon. Her experience also spans to film, television and radio plays. On the latter, she provided voiceover for an animation produced by MS Australia that was viewed by more than 500,000 people in over thirty countries. Sonia is a proud performer with disability and is excited about where her years of experience and professional training will take her.
Chelsea is a set and costume designer who graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) majoring in Design Realisation. During her time at VCA she was able to intern on ‘Priscilla: Queen of the Desert’ (Michael Cassel Group, 2018) and ‘Julius Caesar’ (Bell Shakespeare, 2018). Her recent credits include: Costume Designer for ‘August: Osage County’ (VCA, 2018), Technical Designer for ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘The Crucible’ (VCA, 2018), Assistant Costume Designer ‘Rock of Ages’ (WMTC, 2019), Costume Designer for ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ (Highway 1 Theatre, 2019), and Design Assistant/Assistant Stage Manager for ‘Sweet Phoebe’ (Red Stitch Actors Theatre, 2019).
Jason is a multi-faceted theatre maker with a wide spectrum of experience, working on shows that ranged from international arts festivals to non-profit youth productions, often simultaneously. His portfolio benefits from his critical eye for semiotics, creative energy for problem-solving, and passion for collaborating with other artists.
His dynamism and drive, coupled with his background as a teacher, has brought him opportunities in multiple roles in theatre, from production and stage management, to lighting and set design, as well as mentoring and consulting.
He graduated from the Theatre Studies Programme at the National University of Singapore in 2006. After spending time in events management and education, Jason returned to theatre in 2013. He moved to Perth in 2017 where he studied Lighting at WAAPA, before moving to Melbourne in 2020.
Australian credits include Jiangshi and Cephalopod with Squid Vicious, Bad Baby Jean with The Last Great Hunt, Coming Out with Lucy Holz, and Lenore with The Knack Theatre.
Ellen O’Connor is an independent artist with a multidisciplinary practice incorporating writing, directing, producing and acting. Within their practice they are interested in carving out space for artists to make work that is essential to them, and for audiences to have access to fresh, new theatre. Throughout their career they have predominantly worked with new writing including comedy, drama and musicals. Ellen has a BA in English and Cultural Studies from the University of Western Australia, and studied the Meisner technique under Scott Williams with Impulse Company London. Credits: as director: Softly, Softly (Quiet Roar, 2021), When God Met Satan (Perth International Comedy Festival, 2013), Pity (Fringeworld, 2013). As writer: Burning Woman (R&D, 2018), Fire (WA Youth Theatre Company, 2013), Soho Young Writers’ Programme (Soho Theatre, 2014). As actor: Flooded (earth, Lyric Hammersmith 2017), phroot sahlad (Lyric Evolution, Lyric Hammersmith, 2017), Who Cares (Royal Court, 2015).
Sass is a Melbourne based Actor, Singer, Musician and Vocal Coach.
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist and trained classical and contemporary singer, she has worked as a Soloist, Session Musician, Composer, Voice Over Artist and actor for over 20 years.
After studying classical voice with Brian Hansford at The University of Melbourne, Sass spent many years teaching vocal technique and is a passionate advocate for vocal health. Performing recording and touring from a young age, Sass understands the demands placed on a performing artist and believes in cultivating a strong and healthy instrument that is geared to work with authenticity and flexibility.
On competition of the Full Time Program in 2017, Sass was handpicked by David Coury under his mentorship to join the faculty of Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia.
Anthony is a 23 year old performer who has trained in performance (acting and singing) for nearly a decade, and has had professional dance training for over 4 years. He has over 200 on stage performances under his belt and has been in productions of shows such as ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Cats’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and more. He has trained with with many teachers and coaches for voice, acting and dance including Michael Cormick, Cara Dinley, David Butler, Jacqui Green, Andrew Strano, James Simpson and more. He has also worked with Myles Tankle training in movement and stage combat. Anthony is a passionate Story Teller and is currently exploring many areas of the arts. From composing and writing original music, some of his work being featured in the indie game ‘Cotton Stuffed Nightmares’, to performing in live theatre. He is also in the process of creating and writing a novel. « I believe that music and art and our stories can help us to heal the world. We can connect with each other on such a deep level with art and I look forward to stepping into that role and responsibility. To sharing my passion, love and my light with the world and to having fun along the way.
Georgia is a Melbourne-based artist and 2020 Music Theatre graduate from Fed Uni Arts Academy. Her university credits include Ladies in Black (Magda Szombathely), Working, A Musical (Grace Clements), and A Chorus Line (Cassie).
Since graduating she has had the pleasure of working with Norbury Productions on an original Australian play After Oscar (Constance Wilde), and was on the creative team of Fruitcup, another new work which recently premiered at the new Motley Bauhouse.
Georgia is a qualified Yoga and meditation teacher and aspires to create courses in yogic studies for performing artists to transmute nerves, welcome openness, and step into their personal power.
Jacinta Scadden (she/they) completed a Bachelor of Performing & Screen Arts in 2012 and Master of Screenwriting in 2019. They have written, directed, produced and acted in numerous short films and theatre plays. Jacinta's interest in Intimacy Coordination first sparked in 2018 after an introductory course. They are currently working towards becoming an accredited Intimacy Coordinator.
Riley is a graduate of the production design course from The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Upon completion of the course, he was proudly a joint recipient of the 2019 David Hough Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design.
Upon graduation, Riley was thrilled to return to his high school to design the sets for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Middle-Class Aristocrat, and The 39 Steps (Shore School). In 2020 Riley also completed designs for The Measure of a Moment (La Mama) and Strictly Ballroom the Musical (Carey Grammar). Both shows have been rescheduled for 2021.
In late 2020, Riley was lucky enough to travel to Perth to work as the production designer for The Boy From Oz at the Crown Theatre (dir. Drew Anthony, Platinum Entertainment). During his time in Perth, he also worked as the scenic artist for We Will Rock You at the Crown Theatre (Platinum Entertainment), and as the design assistant for The Little Mermaid (Freeze Frame Opera) which was presented as a part of Perth Festival.
Whilst at WAAPA Riley designed the sets for Sweet Charity (dir. Shaun Rennie), and Stuff Happens. He designed costumes for Arabian Nights (dir. Adam Mitchell) and When the Rain Stops Falling. Prior to graduating, Riley was delighted to assist on Kiss of the Spiderwoman (MTC) as part of his industry secondment.
Website: www.tappdesigns.com
Instagram: @tappdesigns
Ashley has her degree in Creative Media and Graphic Design from SAE Creative Media Institute here in Melbourne. Since graduating 9 years ago she has gone on to work in educational publishing, designing book covers as Senior Designer with Oxford University Press. She also established Bitten By Productions in 2013, with her co-founders, Gabriel Bergmoser and Justin Anderson, and has since gone on to direct Below Babylon, The Lucas Conundrum, The Critic, Dracula; Last Voyage of the Demeter, The Commune, Dead Air and The Lucas Betrayal for the company. She also works as Bitten By's in-house graphic designer, and you can check out her work at www.bittenbyproductions.com. Ashley has spread her love of theatre and design across Melbourne, designing posters and promo-packs for various other production companies all over town and always enjoys working with the amazing team at Wit Incorporated.
If you’re looking for a designer, you can find her on Instagram @ashtardydesign
Barbara Toohey is originally from Ireland and has many years' experience on and off the stage.
Barbara is delighted to be joining WIT incorporated as Stage Manager for their upcoming production of “Dear Mama”.
Barbara has also Stage Managed for the Melbourne Writers Theatre, “Flower for Moses”, “The Best The Fairest The First”, "The Metropolis Monologues" and "The City Park Plays".
Essendon Theatre Company “Suite Surrender”, “Home Grown”, “Death of a Salesman and “Rumors”.
Strathmore Theatre Arts Group, “Children of the Wolf” and “Fool for Love”.
- Posted in Main Stage Season, Australian Theatre
- Tagged women in theatre, Bluestone Church Arts Space, 2022, Dear Mama 2022, The Bowery Theatre, BMI
Meg is a singer, dancer, and actor with a passion for storytelling through music. They started singing at primary school and performed in school and local settings through their childhood. Their involvement in theatre began backstage at 14 while volunteering with sound and lighting for the Melbourne Gang Show. Meg then made their musical theatre debut in the Gang Show ensemble at 16.
Since then, Meg has been a recurring face at Gang Show, both on- and off-stage and performing in dance showcases and competitions. They recently completed their Vocal Performance Diploma with Con Brio Examinations with a focus on musical theatre repertoire. When not performing, Meg works in legal compliance and enjoys other creative storytelling outlets.
Meg is represented by Ian Nisbet Talent Management and Dear Mama marks their professional theatre debut.