Directors’ note:

It is such a pleasure to see new writing come to our theatre stages. The Australian canon is well served by stories from new writers, sharing new perspectives, interpretations and approaches. I (Glen) have had the pleasure of working on a number of new plays over the years, with a handful of these, working alongside the playwright. It is a unique experience for a writer to be in a director’s rehearsal room, and equally unique to have a writer in your own rehearsal room. This process has been a joy for Romney and I, working on Home Country and we extend our thanks to Steph for not only her lovely play, but her generosity and sense of wonder in how we bring this story to stage. We would also like to congratulate Mel Jensen, on not only a fine new play, but for her wonderful direction on The One. This is no mean feat! These two stories couldn’t be more different in most ways, but there is perhaps one common element – and it’s a very human one.  Our quest for love and our quest for a place (or a person) to call home.

Welcome to Stephanie Reeves’ Home Country and Mel Jensen’s The One.

Glen Hamilton

Writer’s note:

This play is a semi-autobiographical piece, inspired by my own move to Australia. I wanted to explore what it means to find home within yourself, and how much of that is inspired by the environment around us and people in (or absent from) our lives. For some, Home means moving forward, and for others, like Jane, it means uncovering the past.

My home in Australia has been Darlo Drama. Here, I made lifelong friends and found a place which inspired and nurtured my creativity like nowhere else. For this, I am eternally grateful to owners Glen & Romney Hamilton. Thank you for also directing my play with love, care and enthusiasm. The process has been such a joy and I am thrilled with how you have transported my vision to the stage in ways I could never have imagined.

To the actors, thank you for your input and development of each of these characters, I have been so inspired, each portrayal is more than I could have ever hoped for and I have loved every minute watching you bring them to life.

To the crew, Joel and Abigail; your professionalism and dedication is second to none, thank you for making the show feel alive!

Lastly, my biggest thanks must go to co-producer Mel Jensen. You are the person who inspired and encouraged me to write. From the very first draft, you guided me to take more risks and do the hard thing. I would not be calling myself a writer if I didn’t have you to inspire me and show me the way. You are a powerhouse, and above all an amazing friend. Thank you Mel, from the bottom of my heart.

Stephanie Reeves

Writer/Director’s note:

Seems pretty crazy to write a very personal show and then act in it, direct it and produce it. But hey, we’re here now. This story is about a year in my life as COVID was swirling, I’d just ended a ten-year relationship and was excited to try Tinder (what could go wrong?). The men you will meet on stage are real. The profiles the actors recreate and 99% of the conversations and dates are verbatim conversations with the men of Sydney. Misogyny is rife on dating apps, women are harassed online and in person on a daily basis and for some they’re losing their lives in the innocent pursuit of love.

I could not have made this show without the support of my amazing cast and creative team - the actors are some of the nicest men you could hope to meet and it was a big ask for them to recreate these awful characters, but they approached it with vigour and a shared goal of revealing the dark underbelly of mens’ behaviour online. Friend represents the amazing women in my life – Amber, Fiona, Steph and Emily herself, who all inspired the dialogue. I am so lucky to be surrounded by soulmates who saw me through all these ‘sexcapades’ with patience and love.

A huge thank you to the best crew any director could ask for. Brother/sister team Abigail and Joel Montgomery are incredible theatre professionals. They engaged with the script immediately and have felt like an integral part of the creative process. I can’t wait to say one day when they’re both sought after by the best of the best, ‘I used to work with them’.

Thank you to Romney and Glen Hamilton for their support of the show and all the extra hours they’ve put in helping me as a Director.

Thank you, Diana Alvarado for your humour and tenacity, we really enjoyed working with you.

Thank you Paula Williams for being my stand in, I couldn’t have done this without you.

Thank you, Stephanie Reeves for reading many drafts of my show and sharing the writing process with me. I’m thrilled we get to share the stage with our stories of women – it’s a dream come true.

For the women in the audience, I hope you do not find this show too triggering. For the men, I hope you don’t see yourself in any of these characters and if you do, you recognise it and make a change.

I love you Matt. I’m so glad after all this, I finally found The One.

Mel Jensen