The Regina Monologues (2021, 2023)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
A series of monologues based on royal women from varying times and places. They delve into conversations about gender and power with humour and heart.
Thirteen queens, holding court across three rooms at the same time. Time is limited and you cannot see them all in one evening. Which ones will you choose to meet?
Some of these women have been in movies. Some have died. Some have marched. Some have fought. Some were happy. Some won great victories. Some married. Some made contributions to science or art. Some you will have heard of.
These are not your Disney princesses. They’re more complicated and less virtuous. They don’t all learn lessons. They don’t all get happy endings. They didn’t all marry; they didn’t all find love.
We sometimes think of women rulers as the exception, or as a relatively new concept. Elizabeth the First … except she wasn’t the first. Nor was she alone.
These are stories from the past, the distant past or the recent past, that illuminate how we live today. They tell us about ourselves, now; our world, now. They tell us who we are. They tell us who we might be, who we could be. This past is not a distant country; it’s with us and amongst us and in us.
https://scenestr.com.au/arts/the-regina-monologues-13-queens-countless-experiences-20210526
https://www.bemelbourne.com/post/the-regina-monologues-review
https://www.theatretravels.org/post/review-the-regina-monologues-at-meat-market-stables
https://lotswife.com.au/the-regina-monologues-review-by-harrini-ratnanesan/
Red Hollywood (2021)
Written and directed by Jacinta Scadden
It's 1952, eight years after the zombie apocalypse. A Hollywood studio has reaped the benefits of scaring audiences by using zombies as “extras” in their horror films. But now, cinema-goers are desensitised, forcing the studio to halt production on their latest picture. In a last ditch for success, the cast and crew ally with the unlikeliest rising star…
True to the Golden Age of moving pictures, this farce is a gourmet of glamour, scandal and secrets. Underneath it is a commentary on attitudes towards women in the industry, and most importantly, women’s attitudes towards each other.
Introduction to Emma (2020)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
This is an ordinary university classroom … online, but otherwise ordinary. The lecturer is passionate about English literature, and is welcoming students to their first class of the semester. They will be looking at Jane Austen, her work and her context, starting with the book ‘Emma’. The students are the usual mix of personalities and opinions. But some of the students are almost too familiar with the text … and it seems that characters from the novel ‘Emma’ have made their way into this class.
Both heartfelt and humorous, the students wander through discussions about fandom, race, gender, class and privilege. And this is just the first lecture of the semester.
Shakespeare Villains in Therapy (2020)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
A Zoom dramatic reading.
Our villains bring their mischief and cunning to the stage. Er, screen. If you want to know how King Lear and Lady Macbeth got on in the afterlife, or wonder what a conversation between Richard III and Othello might be like, this is the event for you. Just over an hour of fun, evil, and the uncovering of childhood trauma.
Content Notes: discussions of suicide, self harm, violence, sexual misconduct.
We have the Zoom recording available to purchase, if you missed the live event. Buy HERE.
Who Killed Mr Collins? Murder Mystery (2020)
A zoom based, Regency-era murder mystery for you to solve! Play as one of eight characters, guard your secrets, and interrogate other suspects. Solve the mystery before Lady Catherine is most seriously displeased.
We have finished our run of online ‘Who Killed Mr Collins?’ games. BUT! We have the game pack available to purchase so you can run your own game. It includes instructions, character sheets, and tips for putting together a Regency atmosphere! Perfect for playing in person on online (video conferencing). Buy HERE.
Pride & Prejudice & 5 Years (2019)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
An original sequel to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', set five years after the events of the iconic novel. The production explores the relationships between the sisters, friends, and partners, and our relationship as an audience to Austen and the Regency period. It revels in the fun of the classic story, while challenging the audience to ask questions about love, family, justice, truth, and, of course, pride and prejudice.
Saint(s of) Joan (2019)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
The story of Joan of Arc, told through her interactions with a queen, a nun and a prostitute. A story about faith, virtue, womanhood, and power.
A Missionary’s Position (2019)
Written by Sharmini Kumar
An American woman travels to Sri Lanka in the 1880s (it was called Ceylon then). She is a missionary. She marries a local man. They have three children. She loses her husband and children but decides to live the rest of her life in Sri Lanka. Her in-laws have a descendant who writes plays and is wrestling with the legacy of generosity and colonialism. Based on a true story.
The Sisters; or, Galileo’s Penance (2018-2019)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
Based on the true story of Galileo’s two illegitimate daughters who became nuns. In the wake of the scandal about their father’s views on science, these women deal with the implications for themselves, their faith and their place in the world.
Second Impressions of Pride & Prejudice (2018)
Written by Sharmini Kumar
Co-directed by Sharmini Kumar and Jacinta Scadden
An adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', served in three acts alongside a full three course meal. This production revels in the fun of the classic story, while challenging us to ask questions about love, family, justice, and of course, pride and prejudice.
The Margins Of 'Persuasion' (2017-2018)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
An adaption from Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' performed a part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival (Sep. 2017) a double-bill (Feb. 2018) the Jane Austen Festival Australia (Apr. 2018).
Shakespeare In Therapy (2016-2018)
Written and directed by Sharmini Kumar
Welcome to the after-life group therapy session for Desdemona, Romeo, Ophelia and others who have been traumatised by their playwright. Performed at the Melbourne Fringe (2016), Adelaide Fringe (2017) and the Victorian Shakespeare Festival (May 2018).