Cast announcement early September!
Production
Michael Ward
Writer and Producer
Michael is an AWGIE Award-winning comedy writer who has written for television and stage for almost 30 years, often collaborating with Shaun Micallef.
Among Michael’s many TV writing credits are SHAUN MICALLEF’S MAD AS HELL (on which he appeared as cult favourite the Kraken); the original series of TALKIN’ ‘BOUT YOUR GENERATION, WELCHER & WELCHER and many sketch, panel, quiz, awards and reality shows. Michael co-wrote over 120 episodes of ROCKWIZ and he has written the last ten seasons of I’M A CELEBRITY … GET ME OUT OF HERE! from South Africa.
For the stage, Michael co-wrote and produced (with Stephen Hall) two sold-out seasons of the spoof BOND-A-RAMA: EVERY JAMES BOND FILM LIVE ON STAGE (Chapel Off Chapel); the pair also received a MICF Moosehead Award for I SAID I SAID.
While living and working in Osaka, Japan, Michael co-wrote, directed, produced and performed in two popular sketch comedy shows: THREE MEN AND A SQUID and SQUIDFELLAS. He has also adapted Roald Dahl’s DIRTY BEASTS AND REVOLTING RHYMES for the stage; the Melbourne season was attended and enjoyed by Dahl himself.
Russell Fletcher
Director
Russell’s acclaimed solo shows include JEST LIKE DANNY KAYE, KING OF FOOLS, JUMP RALPH, JUMP! and David Sedaris’s SANTALAND DIARIES.
Russell has also performed in SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS (1989 - 1996), NOISES OFF, CYRANO DE BERGERAC (MTC), national tours of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), CERTIFIED MALE, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, THE 39 STEPS, YES, PRIME MINISTER plus THE KITCHEN SINK for Red Stitch and UNSOLICITED MALE for Q44 Theatre.
Russell has been comedy consultant for companies such as Ilbijerri and directed for Arena Theatre Company. He has worked with Colin Lane (THE THREE MIKADOS) along with Denise Scott, Lawrence Mooney, Frank Woodley and many other comedians.
In collaboration with Michael Ward and Stephen Hall, he directed the comedies I SAID, I SAID (MICF) and BOND-A-RAMA: EVERY JAMES BOND FILM LIVE ON STAGE (Chapel Off Chapel).
Across many TV appearances, Russ is most often recognised as Father Ricky from the ABC comedy series THE ADVENTURES OF LANO AND WOODLEY. He MCs and facilitates workshops for leadership programs. He is currently the Coordinator, Arts & Culture, Glen Eira City Council.
Jason Bovaird
Lighting Designer
A multi-award-winning lighting designer, Jason graduated from Melbourne University in 1995 and from New York University’s Broadway Masterclass in Lighting Design and Projection (under the internship of legendary Broadway lighting designer Ken Billington) in 2012.
Jason’s most recent lighting designs include THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG 10TH ANNIVERSARY (Australian / NZ tour), HERE YOU COME AGAIN (Australian tour), RUTHLESS – THE MUSICAL (2024 Green Room Award nomination), SON CALLED MOON (2024 Green Room Award Nomination) and the Green Room Award-winning production of KINKY BOOTS, which earned him a 2023 Green Room Award nomination.
Other national tour credits include THE 39 STEPS, MOTHERHOOD – THE MUSICAL, ONE DAY OF THE YEAR, LOVE LETTERS, THE CLUB and MATADOR. Other international work includes PETER PAN GOES WRONG (Australia / NZ), BUSTING OUT (Los Angeles / London), TITANIC – THE MUSICAL, BARASSI – THE STAGE SHOW, IN THE HEIGHTS (Australian premiere), DREAM GIRLS, THE COLOUR PURPLE and ANTARCTICA – THE MUSICAL (world premiere).
Steven Gates (he/him) is a versatile, Grammy-nominated performer known for his work in music, comedy, and television.
As a member of the Aria Award-winning comedy group Tripod, Gatesy has released over twenty CD/DVDs since 1997 and performed worldwide, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Montreal's Just for Laughs.
Tripod gained national attention for their Song-In-An-Hour segment on Triple J and has written songs for various TV shows, video game companies and orchestras, including the MSO.
Steven was a core cast member and writer on SKITHOUSE and has appeared on shows like GOOD NEWS WEEK, SPICKS AND SPECKS, UPPER MIDDLE BOGAN and FISK. He won the peer-reviewed Piece of Wood Award at the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Steven currently produces, directs and tour-manages comedy/cabaret shows; writes songs for commercials; and has recently created songs for THE WEEKLY on the ABC.
Stephen Gates
Sound Designer
With a Bachelor of Interior Architecture and a passion for theatre and landscapes, Sarah’s love of visualising story through environment has led to work both internationally and across Australia both as a scenic and landscape designer.
In the theatre, Sarah has worked in many roles: set designer, costume designer and as a stage manager. She is one of the three producers at Green Room Award-winning production company Pursued By Bear and works in residence as a Senior Designer with Waddell Landscape Design.
Sarah Tulloch
Set and Costume Designer
Peader Thomas
Graphic and Web Designer
Peader is a graphic designer, illustrator, and web developer based in Melbourne. Since 2010, he has been creating posters and promotional materials for the Australian comedy scene, collaborating with notable names such as Sammy J, the podcast Do Go On, and Humdinger Studios.
He co-created and illustrated the Gustav and Henri children's graphic novel series alongside Andy Matthews. Peader's graphic work has also been featured on television, including Sammy J’s Democratic Party, Australia Get It Up Ya, and Claire Hooper’s House of Games.