SmartArts: Recent Episodes

RRR - Triple R

Visual art, theatre, film and literature. Segments include: - 'Art Attack' - fortnightly visual arts reviews with Ace Wagstaff and Tai Snaith. - 'Shoot the Messenger' - fortnightly theatre news & reviews with Fleur Kilpatrick. - 'Drawn Out' - monthly chat about comic books and graphic novels with Bernard Caleo.

Please email talks@rrr.org.au for all interview requests.

About the Presenter Richard Watts has many years experience working in the arts industry, including five years as the Artistic Director of the youth arts organisation Express Media, seven years on the Board of Melbourne Fringe (including three years as Chair), and six years on the Committee of Management at La Mama Theatre, where he currently serves as Chair. Richard has helped program a range of festivals including Next Wave, the National Young Writers' Festival, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the Emerging Writers' Festival (which he founded) and he has written for various broadsheets, journals, zines and magazines. Currently he pays the rent by working as the Performing Arts Editor at www.artshub.com.au. In his spare time he watches old Doctor Who episodes.

The intro and outro theme is Soft Illusion and was generously provided by Andras. https://andras.bandcamp.com/track/soft-illusion

Contemporary theatre performers Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams of Pony Cam exhibit the process of knowledge sharing across generations, breaking theatre convention by collaborating with mass community-led ensemble cast of locals aged 55+ in ‘All This Could Be Yours’; Artistic Director Danielle Micich on her new production ‘idk’ borrowing from her experience as an intimacy coordinator to explore consent and the memories the body holds; Melbourne artist Christian Capurro on the dialogue between contemporary Melbourne and Latin artists in Heide’s exhibition ‘Beneath the surface, behind the scenes’; Actor Aisha Aidara on playing Portia in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s new production of ‘Julius Caesar’

Director Nick Kozakis talks how his childhood horror movie obsession and the resurgence of the horror film genre in Australia influenced his new independent horror, ‘Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism’; CEO and creative director of Geelong Arts Centre, Joel McGuiness on Geelong’s blossoming art scene, outlining the star-studded lineup for the new Geelong Arts Centre opening; Choreographers Kayla Douglas and Kady Mansour on dance premier ‘ESCALATOR’ by the Stephanie Lake Company, showcasing five upcoming choreographic talents; Playwright Emily Sheehan explores the connection between beauty and power in new production ‘MONUMENT’.

Richard is away this week, guest host Daniel Santangeli fills in! Playwright Fleur Murphy explores ordinary acts of bravery and the ethical concerns of witnessing domestic violence in her award-winning play ‘The Fence,’ set in Melbourne suburbia; Visual artist and performer Will Huxley captivates audiences with his dynamic photographic works in ‘DisGraceland’, following the fantastical narrative of two queer alien Elvises; Visual artist Tai Snaith is back with our visual art segment ‘Art Attack’

First Nations artist Gail Mabo talks shouldering the legacy of her father, activist Eddie Mabo, and her new exhibition ‘Current’ at McClelland Gallery with fellow First Nations artists Lisa Wuap and Dominic White, transporting audiences to her home in Murray Island; National Institute for Circus Arts students Sophia Laidlaw and Naruha Ohta explain their distress towards Swinburne University’s shock decision to freeze the Bachelor of Circus Arts program for 2024, leaving their futures in the art form uncertain; Actor and playwright Benjamin Nichol explores the unpredictability of queer love and intimacy in his two productions ‘Kerosene’ and ‘SIRENS’ at Fortyfivedownstairs theatre.

Tiffany Lyndall-Knight, Vice President of Actor’s Equity for the MEAA breaks down the US writers and actors strike, uncovering how streaming and AI technologies have threatened livelihoods in film and the potential impacts of this on Australian art; Leading actors Jacob Warner and Rose Riley on how their ages and close friendship have informed a deeper exploration of love in their portrayals of Romeo and Juliet in the latest production by Bell Shakespeare; Curator Catlin Langford and artist Buzz Gardiner on their photography exhibition ‘Walking Through The Darkness’, at the Centre of Contemporary Photography, celebrating photography’s ability to capture the darkness of stories with light.

Artistic Director Louise Bezinna gives an extensive overview of this year’s Brisbane Festival program; Priya Namana, CEO of the Centre of Projection Art on the upcoming innovative projection-art displays at the 2023 Gertrude Street Projection Festival; Acclaimed organist, Joseph Nolan, on the free Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ Event, paying homage to the music of Louis Vierne over five nights in his performance of the ‘Vierne Project’; Director Cassandra Fumi and actor Alison Whyte explore the work of feminist playwright, Caryl Churchill, in the Petagog Theatre’s production of ‘Far Away’

Richard Hull, CEO of Flying Fruit Fly Circus explains the devastating impacts Swinburne University’s decision to freeze the National Institute for Circus Arts' student intake in 2024, may have on circus in Australia; Artist Ben McKeown on ‘Dig Deeper’, a portrait of four different Indigenous and First Nations artists, premiering at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival; Director Steven Mitchell Wright & Actor Justin Hosking on revisiting the canonised Australian theatre production, ‘Away’; Opera director Lindy Hume on the new production of ‘Idomeneo,’ by the Victorian Opera and Opera Australia.

Co-artistic director Sarah Kreigler talks everything puppets, delving into the Melbourne Festival of Puppetry and its 2023 puppet treasure hunt; Executive Director of the National Association for the Visual Arts, Penelope Benton, on the ABC’s cutting-edge online editorial and the future of arts reporting; Senior Curator Lisa Sullivan on the ‘Atmosphere’ exhibition at Geelong Gallery, celebrating Clarice Beckett’s contribution to the Geelong art scene.

Richard is away this week, guest host Oliver Coleman fills in! Co-writer and performer Louise Siversen explores cancel culture in theatrical performance, ‘Underneath Ms Archer’, depicting a 21st woman’s encounter with a medieval man from the past; Co-Curator Annika Aitken on ‘Nightshifts’, a University of Melbourne exhibition that draws on the metaphor of night-time to understand the theme of solitude; Lana Nyugen on new Australian campaign for fossil fuel divestment in the arts industry and sector, ‘A Climate for Art’.

Co-artistic director Lara Thoms on artist-run, experimental performance arts group, Aphids and their RISING Festival performance ‘Oh Deer!’, delving into the grief of losing a parent; Director Emma Valente on dramedy performance ‘Shhhh’, exploring consent and sisterhood; Curator Sebastian Henry-Jones celebrates the 30 year history of West Space gallery through exhibition ‘Unison’

Internationally renowned choreographer Edgar Zendejas on his collaboration with NICA graduates to create circus performance, ‘Oneiric’; Artist Yvette Coppersmith on her exhibition ‘Carnelian’, a response to the Jewish Museum of Australia’s exploration of Jewish artist, Chagall; An exciting overview of the Darwin Festival 2023 program, by program designer Kate Fell.

TarraWarra Museum of Art curator Anthony Fitzpatrick discusses the current exhibition on Australian painter Peter Booth; Author Kath Kenny talks about her work of narrative nonfiction ‘Staging a Revolution: When Betty Rocked the Pram’ via Upswell Publishing; Chelsea Hopper on 99% Gallery’s latest show ‘The General Public’, an “open call” for the general public to submit their artwork. With presenter Richard Watts.

Andy Freer, the CEO and artistic director of the 30-year-old Melbourne puppet company Snuff Puppets talks about the world premiere of ‘SWAMP’; Heide Museum of Modern Art’s artistic director, Lesley Harding, on Heide’s latest exhibition ‘Barbara Hepworth: In Equilibrium’; Director Kirsten von Bibra joins Identity Theatre founder and performer Ray Swann to discuss their adaptation of TS Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Sydney Festival’s artistic director Olivia Ansell chats about what’s in store for the immersive 2023 program in January; Bernard Caleo talks all things comic books for the Drawn Out segment; Ella Caldwell, artistic director of Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, runs through their 2023 season. With presenter Richard Watts.

Artist Jeremy Blincoe chats about his boundary-blurring exhibition ‘The Fragile Skin of the World’ at Linden New Art; Next Wave’s CEO Jamie Lewis on opening the doors to more artists with the new learning program All School; Ewan McEoin, NGV's senior curator of contemporary art, design and architecture talks ‘Melbourne Now’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Malthouse Theatre’s artistic director Matthew Lutton introduces the 2023 season; Comedian, drag king, DJ and producer Natali Caro talks ‘Thanks For Having Me’, a FRINGE comedy night for PoC and queer artists; Two members of Head First Acrobats, Thomas Gorham and Cal Harris, discuss their FRINGE comedy circus show ‘GODZ’. With presenter Richard Watts.

The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David Hallberg talks the 2023 season program; Christian Cavallo on directing the queer drama ‘If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You’ for Melbourne Fringe; Friday Funny Bugger Nat Harris chats about her Fringe comedy show ‘Sal & Friends’; Dario Vacirca of the Nicholas Building Association explains the bold new vision proposed for the building. With presenter Richard Watts.

The Irish Film Festival’s director Dr Enda Murray talks about 2022’s hybrid program; Artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth on the new exhibition ‘Where Lakes Once Had Water’, combining Indigenous thought, art and science at Tarrawarra Museum of Art; Curator Hannah Matthews discusses ‘Shelley Lasica: When I Am Not There’, a reflection on 40 years of Lasica’s choreographic practice at MUMA. With presenter Richard Watts.

Kate Jinx, programmer for Melbourne International Film Festival, talks about this year’s Melbourne On Film program stream; Artist and photographer Pia Johnson on her exhibition ‘Faint Echoes’at Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, exploring the histories of representation of the Eurasian female body in domestic settings; Dianne Toulson and Belle Hansen from Theatre Works take us through their contemporary reimagining of Euripides’ ‘Medea: Out of the Mouths of Babes’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Playwright Fleur Kilpatrick chats about her new play ‘Rebel’ about senior activists, for the Ian Potter Centre; Miranda Hill, artistic director of ‘Homophonic!’, on telling the stories of LGBTQI+ elders through music for RESPECT at Leaps & Bounds; ACMI’s Laura Castagnini talks ‘Light: Works from Tate’s Collection’, an exhibition exploring the central role of light in art. With presenter Richard Watts.

Bernard Caelo dives deep into comic books and graphic novels for our monthly segment ‘Drawn Out’; Curator Jacqueline Doughty takes us through ‘Still Life’, Buxton Gallery’s latest art exhibition on the organic world; Journalist Sandy George on her latest Platform Paper ‘Nobody talks about Australianness on our Screens’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Actor Eryn Jean Norvill and alternative performer Nikki Shiels talk starring in the much-hyped production of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’; One of the performers at this year’s Melbourne Magic Festival, Josh Staley, captivates in 'The Conjurer At The Card Table'; Artistic Director Kate Sulan on her final project with Rawcus after 22 years: ‘Here We Are Amongst You’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Comedian and co-owner of Comedy Republic, Rhys Nicholson, talks encore shows at Replay Festival 2022; One of four artists showing at Boroondara’s Town Hall Gallery’s ‘Common Thread’, Sarah Hallett, explores transforming everyday materials into textile art; Lee Cumberlidge, co-artistic director of Illuminate Adelaide, chats about Australia’s newest major winter event.

The National Gallery of Victoria’s Senior Curator Dr Miranda Wallace talks about this year’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition ‘The Picasso Century’; Director of ‘Passing Strange’, Dean Drieberg, along with the show’s Musical Director, Conductor and Keyboardist, Marissa Saroca, discuss the hybrid “rock concert with storytelling” coming to the Meat Market Stables; Dancehouse CEO Josh Wright chats about Australia’s largest contemporary dance award, the Keir Choreographic Award. With presenter Richard Watts.

Playwright Damien Millar on directing Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ for a 2022 audience at La Mama Theatre; Belinda Collins, Creative Director of The Social Crew, is back to discuss ‘Under The Surface’, a visual art trail in Gippsland; Co-Writer, Co-Director and PerformerNat Randall draws on elements of film and theatre to explore lesbian dynamics in ‘Set Piece’ for RISING. With presenter Richard Watts.

Danish dancer and choreographer, Mette Ingvartsen, talks exploring pornography’s pervasive creep in her performance ’21 Pornographies’ at RISING; Restless Dance Theatre director Michelle Ryan on another RISING favourite ‘Rewards for The Tribe’; Dr James Rule, curatorial research assistant of Palaeontology at Museums Victoria, delves into dinosaurs for their Triceratops exhibition. With presenter Richard Watts.

Author Michele Aung Thin joins us to discuss PEN Melbourne’s Fundraiser for Myanmar and its freedom of expression at La Mama Courthouse; Winner of the 2022 Golden Gibbo award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Alex Hines, chats about her show ‘To Schapelle and Back’ returning to The Butterfly Club; Playwright Daniel Schlusser talks exploring the dark side of the male hero in ‘Hercules’, on at Arts House. With presenter Richard Watts.

Jason Tamiru talks co-directing ‘The Return’, which recounts the macabre history of the stolen bodily remains of First Peoples, for Malthouse Theatre and RISING; Art Gallery of Ballarat Director Louise Tegart on the lesser known Australian art movement of Max Meldrum and the tonalists for their new exhibition ‘Light & Shade’; Performers John Marc Desengano and Emily Tomlins discuss ‘The View From Up Here’ a play set in the aftermath of a bushfire from Hot Mess Productions and Theatreworks. With presenter Richard Watts.

Curator Janenne Willis chats about a fascinating ‘Floating Gallery’ presented by O_C_E_A_N, where people can swim, row or paddle out to view local artworks on laser yachts at Point Leo; Artist Frances Barrett explores her new sensory-focussed collaborative project ‘Meatus’ at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; Artistic Director of the Australian National Academy of Music, Paavali Jumppanen, talks commissioning 67 works from Australian composers for ANAM Set Festival. With presenter Richard Watts.

RISING co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek discuss the long-awaited program coming this winter; Natalie King talks about curating the work of Yuki Kihara, the representative for New Zealand Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale; Elias Redstone, artistic director of Photo 2022, celebrates Melbourne’s photographic culture; and producer of the inaugural Southside Festival, Freyja Macfarlane, on bringing thought-provoking arts and cultural events to Frankston. With presenter Richard Watts.

Photographer and filmmaker James J. Robinson introduces his first solo exhibition, the nostalgia-challenging ‘On Golden Days’ at Hillvale Gallery; Harriet Gordon-Anderson talks playing the title role in Bell Shakespeare’s production of ‘Hamlet’, transposed to the glamorous court of Denmark in the 1960s; and Peter Houghton discusses directing ‘Heartbreak Choir’, the last work from his friend, the late playwright Aidan Fennessy, for the Melbourne Theatre Company. With presenter Richard Watts.

Dr Josephine Caust from the University of Melbourne discusses her important paper connecting ‘Arts, Culture & Country’ for Platform Papers; Nominated for Best Newcomer at last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Chris Ryan is back with her show 'Can't Complain’; Another comedy festival favourite Damian Callinan talks about discovering his mother’s 1946 diary for his show ‘Double Feature’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Tai Snaith is back for another Art Attack; Barnie Duncan gets personal about grief in his new show 'Bunny' at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Writer and actor Steven Oliver talks about his festival debut with the comedy cabaret 'Bigger and Blacker'; With presenter Richard Watts.

Anne Marie Peard joins the show for a fortnightly critique and celebration of theatre in Melbourne; Amanda Jane Pritchard discusses her show 'Google Amanda Jane Dildo'coming to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Circa's Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz on their new work 'ON' at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts. With presenter Richard Watts.

Co-founders of THE RABBLE, Emma Valenta and Kate Davis discuss their latest work of feminist theatre ‘YES’; Irish artist Sean Lynch on his temporary public artwork in Carlton’s University Square ‘Distant Things Appear Suddenly Near’; Cinema Viscera's Perri Cummings and Paul Anthony Nelson talk ‘Apparitions’, their new indie horror feature. With presenter Richard Watts.

Anne Marie Peard reviews recent theatre works; Actor and soprano Ali McGregor chats about Victorian Opera’s staging of the 20th century anti-capitalist musical comedy 'Happy End'; Jason Arrow, who plays the titular character in 'Hamilton', discusses the critic-proof phenomenon. With presenter Richard Watts.

Viv Nguyen and Georgia Symon, two of the nine writers behind Periscope Productions’ ’REIGEN’, talk adapting Arthur Schnitzler’s play; Choreographer Lucy Guerin explores proximity and distance through dance in ‘Flux Job’ at Arts House; Senior Curator Tedd Gott introduces the bold new exhibition 'Queer: Stories from the NGV Collection'. With presenter Richard Watts.

Nick Tandavanitj discusses Blast Theory and ACMI's ‘Rider Spoke’, an immersive experience where participants cycle through the city to find a hiding place for a secret; Producer Rosie Roulette chats about 'The Chronic Cabaret' coming to Fringe Rebound; Monica Davidson, Director of Creative Plus Business, talks about a free online course teaching business essentials to creative practitioners. With presenter Richard Watts.

Playwright Wesley Enoch discusses his Geelong Arts Centre theatre production, ‘Black Cockatoo’, the true story of Johnny Mullagh and the all-First Nations cricket team travelling to England in 1868; Artist Telia Nevile reinvents her live show ‘Little Monster’ for online and back again for Fringe Rebound; Exhibition Curator Neil Sharkey introduces the Shrine of Remembrance's ‘Lust Love Loss: Australian stories of Wartime relationships’. With Richard Watts.

Director of the Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival Claire Jager introduces their program of online films; writer/director Emma Muir-Smith chats about the MSO’s ‘Performance of a Lifetime’ campaign addressing vaccination hesitancy in the community; and Linda Thompson, Artistic Director of the Australian Contemporary Opera talks about their latest production, ‘The Enchanted Pig’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Kyran Whealey, co-owner of Comedy Republic chats about the challenges of opening a comedy venue during a pandemic; David Freyne, director of ‘Dating Amber’ discusses his romance comedy film set in 90’s Ireland; and Briony Dunn, director of Iron Lung Theatre’s production of ‘When The Rain Stops Falling’ talks about their upcoming season at Theatreworks. With presenter Richard Watts.

Tai Snaith returns for another Art Attack, reviewing the 135-hectare Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park; Elisa Armstrong, co-artistic director of Heartstring Theatre talks about ‘Still’ at fortyfivedownstairs; and Will and Garrett Huxley introduce ‘The Huxleys Places of Worship’, opening at the Centre for Contemporary Photography. With presenter Richard Watts.

Sharmini Kumar, writer and assistant director of ‘The Regina Monologues’ chats about their upcoming performances at the Meat Market Stables; director Mike Finch and performer Emily Zoe introduce the National Institute of Circus Arts’ latest student-devised piece, ‘Cirkus Plan 47 (b)’; actor Jess Clarke talks about ‘Iphigenia in Splott’, a one woman show at Red Stitch Actors' Theatre; and Louise Klerks, co-curator of visual arts exhibition ‘Papier Mache’ at Missing Persons discusses reimagining the French art form. With presenter Richard Watts.

Graphic artist Safdar Ahmed talks about his novel ‘Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System’ which collates almost a decade of stories involving the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre; Nat Randall, co-creator of ‘Set Piece’ for RISING festival talks about their genre bending performance exploring intergenerational desire; and playwright Michel Paul Tuomy chats about ‘Little Brother, Big Sister’ at La Mama, a theatre piece exploring familial ties inspired by his own lived experience of schizophrenia. With presenter Richard Watts.

Artist Rosie Weiss joins Richard Watts to talk about ‘Do You Still Love Me (asked the earth)’, a solo exhibition utilising charred plant fragments for Silver Leaf Art Box.

Yumi Umiumare, Artistic Director of ButohOUT! 2021, a festival inspired by the Japanese dance theatre artform, introduces ‘Odd Hours’, part of the festival’s exploration of ‘abnormality’ at Abbotsford Convent.

Finally, Back to Back Theatre’s Executive Producer Tim Stitz and ensemble member Sarah Mainwaring discuss the company’s upcoming retrospective season, part of this year’s RISING festival.

Bruce Beresford, legendary screen director, talks about directing Melbourne Opera’s production of ‘Macbeth’ which will be broadcast live using VR technology; Internationally acclaimed performer Meow Meow discusses ‘Meow Meow’s Pandemonium’, her latest collaboration with the MSO; and Roshelle Fong and Keziah Warner, co-creators of ‘Poona’ talk about their new work for Next Wave 2020, based on the controversial book, ‘Pauline Hanson: The Truth’. With presenter Richard Watts.

Richard Watts is joined by comic book lover Bernard Caleo for this month’s Drawn Out segment, discussing Declan Shelvey’s Bog Bodies and Savage Town, two Irish graphic novels transforming the crime fiction genre, and Scribe Publications’ Two-Week Wait, a sensitive portrayal of the IVF process.

Curator Dr Angela Hesson talks about NGV Australia’s latest exhibition, ‘She-oak and Sunlight’, featuring the nation’s largest collection of Australian impressionist pieces with a particular focus on the work of women in the movement.

Finally, Wiradjuri man and choreographer Joel Bray introduces ‘Considerable Sexual Licence’, a participatory dance piece exploring sensuality down-under for Yirramboi 2021 and writer Helen Begley and performer Penny Larkins chat about ‘Voyage’, a new Australian musical blending folk music with the stories of Australia’s first female settlers.

Richard Watts is joined by Tai Snaith for their regular ‘Art Attack’ segment, discussing in depth Bus Projects’ ‘Notions of Care’, a multidisciplinary visual arts exhibition located in the newly completed Collingwood Yards space.

Actor Kristen Smyth talks about ‘The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven’, playing at Theatre Works as part of Midsumma 2021. The solo performance reimagines the rituals of Christianity through a transgender lens.

Finally, Hayden Tonazzi, director of Rock Bottom Productions, chats about ‘This Genuine Moment’, which after a sellout season in Sydney, will come to La Mama Courthouse as part of Midsumma 2021.

This week Richard Watts is joined by co-curators Amy Forbes and Caitlin Mullaly of Veils of Cirrus introduce ‘Negative Capability’, an immersive, tactile exploration based on John Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale.

Award winning playwright Yve Blake chats about the Melbourne debut of ‘Fangirls’ at Arts Centre Melbourne. Inspired by interviews with teenage fangirls, this musical celebrates generations of passionate fan culture.

Finally, playwright Joanna Murray-Smith talks about ‘Berlin’, an MTC NEXT STAGE commission blending history and seduction into a taut romantic thriller.

This week on SmartArts, Theatre-maker Mark Salvestro joins Richard to discuss ‘The Will to Be’, an award-winning solo show running at La Mama as part of Midsumma 2021. The piece blends Shakespearean language and Australian history to explore societal attitudes towards homosexuality in the 1960s.

Artistic Director of Circa Yaron Lifschitz introduces the company’s latest performance, ‘Shawn the Sheep’s Circus Show’ produced in collaboration with UK animation studio Aardman.

Finally, artist Kyoko Imazu talks about ‘Mayflies and Stars’, a visual arts exhibition at ArtSpace in Ringwood. Created during last year’s lockdown, the display draws attention to the tiny creatures who share the world with us through intricate paper cuts and shadow puppetry.

Musicians and visual artists Kim Salmon and Stu Thomas talk about their first-ever joint surrealist exhibition at the One Star Gallery; Karen Bryant, CEO of Midsumma, talks about this year’s program of events, set to run later in the year than usual; and Jamie Bretman, co-director and founder of circus company Dummies Corp chats about ‘Dumtectives’, a film-noir inspired circus piece for Melbourne International Comedy Festival. With presenter Richard Watts.

Boonwurrung and Wemba Wemba woman and Creative Director of Yirramboi Festival Caroline Martin discusses the festival’s 2021 program; Ukrainian-Australian Artist Stanislava Pinchuk talks about 'Terra Data', a museum survey of over 5 years of work mapping the Ukrainian civil war; and co-artistic director of RISING Hannah Fox chats about the launch of the brand new Melbourne arts festival, beginning on the evening of the total lunar eclipse in May. With presenter Richard Watts.

Comedian and Triple R ‘Breakfasters’ regular Nat Harris joins Richard Watts to talk about her new show with co-creator Hannah Camilleri, ‘Pét-Nat + Han ah Chocolat’, playing as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Actors Khisraw Jones-Shukoor and Keegan Joyce talk about 'Because the Night', the Malthouse Theatre’s immersive take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Set in the world of Elsinore, the piece allows audiences to choose their path through the story by journeying through different rooms and interacting with different perspectives.

Finally, artist and entrepreneur Andrea Lane discusses 'School for UnTourists', the latest venture by FLOAT project, a floating arts residency on Lake Tyres, Gippsland.

Resident comic book artist Bernard Caleo returns to the studio for the first time since lockdown with this month’s Drawn Out, discussing Zach Snyder’s ‘Justice League’ cut, Taiyo Matsumoto’s ‘Ping Pong’ as well as Safdar Ahmed’s ‘Still Alive’, which Bernard helped publish. Drawn from the stories of refugees detained in the Villawood Immigration Detention centre, ‘Still Alive’ is based on the Walkley-award winning webcomic ‘Villawood: Notes from an immigration detention centre’.

Dancer and former lawyer Rhys Ryan chats about 'Bodylex', a dance work exploring how our bodies navigate the laws and regulations imposed on them. Blending legal theory and choreography, this new work for three dancers will premiere at Dancehouse.

Multidisciplinary artist Candy Bowers talks about 'TAKE BACK!', a co-production between MAV and Darebin FUSE festival featuring a team of female and gender-diverse artists of colour both onstage and behind the scenes. Including both live performances and digital content, the performance explores and challenges the racialized gaze.

Finally, MTC CEO Brett Sheehy announces the company’s Act 2 program playing during the second half of this year: ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’, a comic Broadway turn on the nature of truth, ‘The Truth’, a dark comedy on marital troubles, ‘Sunday’, the story of Heide Museum of Modern Art founder Sunday Reed, ‘Jacky’, Green Room Award Winner Declan Furber Gillick’s MTC debut, ‘Cyrano’, a gender-flipped adaptation of the Edmond Rostand classic, and ‘As You Like It’, which reunites the creative team behind MTC hit ‘Twelfth Night’.

Composer Luke Styles, Kurdish-Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani and translator and collaborator Omid Tofighian join Richard ahead of ‘No Friend but the Mountains: A Symphonic Song Cycle’ premiering at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Inspired by Boochani’s book of the same name written secretly in Farsi whilst on Manus Island, this adaptation explores his brutal detention experience through the language of music.

Susan Provan, CEO of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival speaks about the challenges of returning to the stage after the cancellation of last year’s festival just weeks before its launch. The 2021 program will feature local acts front and centre, as well as an array of online and on demand streaming events from much loved international names.

Meg McNena, writer of ‘A Name for Herself’, talks about her new play following the women at the forefront of Ireland’s Easter Rising of 1916. Based on the true story of Irish activist Countess Constance Markievicz, the play is directed by Dublin-born Lynda Fleming, and premieres at the Renaissance Theatre, East Kew.

Finally, Eugenia Flynn, Director of Collingwood Yards unveils the new arts precinct and community hub located in the heart of Melbourne’s inner north. Spanning over 6500sqm and with over 50 separate tenancies, the space will open in stages from April this year.

Tai Snaith returns to the studio for the fortnightly visual arts segment Art Attack, chatting about her artistic process whilst working from home, and reviewing Judy Watson and Yhonnie Scarce’s ‘Looking Glass’, on display at the TarraWarra Museum of Art. Described by curator Hetti Perkins as both “a love song and lament for country”, this exhibition sees Watson, a Waanyi artist, and Scarce, a Kokatha and Nukunu artist, explore the painful, dark history of the Australian landscape in poignant synergy.

Jane Scott, Curator of Flesh After Fifty at the Abbotsford Convent introduces the exhibition’s program of events, challenging ageism, sexism, and body shame to celebrate and promote older women within the art world. Featuring commissions from 14 dynamic Australian artists, the exhibition includes talks from both artists and medical professionals on subjects such as menopause and family violence.

Finally, Dr Miranda Wallace, Senior Curator at the NGV announces the gallery’s winter offering, French Impressionism, featuring 79 works which have never previously been exhibited in Australia. Presented in collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the exhibition will chart the major developments of this artistic period through key figures such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas.

William Mora, son of Melbourne cultural icon Mirka Mora joins Richard to discuss ‘MIRKA’ - the most expansive exhibition of her work to date, which will be on for an exceptional nine months at the Jewish Museum of Australia. Featuring previously unseen works, objects she lived with and a soundscape of her voice in each room, the exhibition is a comprehensive and immersive honouring of a truly remarkable life.

Dr Priya Srinivasan, co-director and co-founder of Sangam introduces their 2021 program, celebrating contemporary and classical South Asian arts and culture over 4 weekends. Designed to address the underrepresentation of South Asian artists in mainstream events and arts practice, the festival features both emerging artists and established practitioners working in a range of different art forms.

Finally, Gareth Reeves and Soren Jensen, stars of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ at the Princess Theatre chat with Richard about the challenges of getting show ready after an extended break. Presented in two parts, this is the eighth story in J.K Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter series and follows the courageous trio of friends as their past returns to haunt them in adulthood.

Writer and Actor Elaine Beek joins Richard ahead of the premiere of ‘Jack and Millie’, Essence Productions’ latest piece at the Saltwater Community Centre. Based on her personal experience of navigating a cancer diagnosis, this play explores the hardships of illness with equal lashings of humour and sadness.

Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias, the duo behind multi-award winning ‘Die Roten Punkte’ are back with ‘The Anniversary’ a theatre piece following two baby boomers from Balwyn stuck in a joyless marriage. Described by Bartholomew as ‘mad, macabre and magical’, ‘The Anniversary’ combines elements of farce and absurd theatre into one big nonsensical romp.

Finally, Alisa Bunbury, Curator of the Grimwade Collection at the Ian Potter Museum of Art speaks about ‘Pride of Place: Exploring the Grimwade Collection’, a book exploring the variety of visual and textual artifacts found in The Russell and Mab Grimwade Bequest. Edited by Bunbury, the book features over 40 contributors and offers a unique insight into the impacts of British colonisation.

Lindy Hume, Artistic Director of Ten Days on the Island presents the festival’s 2021 program of pan-Tasmanian arts and culture. Taking place over three weekends, the festival connects regional communities and celebrates the island’s unique identity.

Wemba Wemba artist Kelly Koumalatsos’ ‘Gung | create, make, do, love’ combines screenprinting with the traditional ‘uka ngalung wooleh’ (to paint with possum) technique. Inspired by the stories of her ancestors, the exhibition features three-dimensional Victorian era garments constructed from tissue paper and is on display at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Melbourne Museum.

Finally, Morgan Rose, co-director and creator of ‘Grand Gesture’ speaks to Richard ahead of their season at La Mama Theatre’s Love Fest. The show integrates excerpts from popular romcoms to interrogate the romantic expectations such films set and the effect they have on our understanding of love and relationships.

Dr Christian Thompson AO, a Bidjara man of the Kunja Nation and winner of the 2020 Bowness Photography Prize joins Richard to discuss his piece ‘Rule of Three’. This compelling four panel print explores the environment and Aboriginality through a contemporary lens, and is on display at the Monash Gallery of Art.

As the Women’s Circus approach their 30th anniversary, Creative Director Devon Taylor talks about their 2021 New Crew and Circus Mixtape programs, welcoming not only women, but gender diverse performers at all levels of experience. Collaborating with Arts Centre Melbourne and the Metro Tunnel Creative Project, they will also work on a commission championing artists with disabilities, premiering later this year in the city’s arts precinct.

Finally, Melbourne based filmmaker Hossein Valamanesh discusses his moving image work ‘What Goes Around’, commissioned as part of Light Source at the Buxton Contemporary. Light Source is the gallery’s program of six digital artworks developed during the 2020 lockdown.

Daniel Goldstein, Associate Director of Tony award winning musical ‘Come From Away’ chats about the show’s return to the Comedy Theatre post-lockdown. This life-affirming true story centres on the days following the September 11 tragedy, where locals in a small Canadian town were forced to take on thousands of stranded travellers.

Iain Sinclair, Director of 16th Street Actors Studio’s production of ‘Burn This’ speaks to Richard about their online rehearsal process and upcoming training opportunities at the studio. Set during the peak of the 1980’s AIDS epidemic, the play deals with poisoned romance and dangerous and irresistible desire.

Finally, Castlemaine State Festival Director Glyn Roberts gives an overview of this year’s program including many live-streamed and free events. Running over 16 days, the festival showcases the best of regional Victorian arts and culture and includes Archie Roach, Die Roten Punkte and Tim Costello.

Creator and Performer Michelle Myers talks about her solo show ‘And Then She Became a Chair’, playing at Theatre Works in St Kilda. Developed during her four years in Berlin, Myers describes the piece as “a show about death but in a tropical paradise”.

Writer and Director Dean Bryant joins Richard ahead of ‘Well, That Happened’, a one-weekend-only event in February celebrating the reopening of the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Sumner Theatre. This stripped-back verbatim performance sees MTC favourites such as Esther Hannaford, Zahra Newman and Eddie Perfect reminisce on the year that was.

Finally, Shini Pararajasingham, Founder and Director of Off the Kerb gallery tells of four new upcoming exhibitions supporting emerging visual artists in Melbourne. Simon O’Carrigan’s ‘A Shared Path’ features watercolour landscapes evoking the Merri Creek area, Nicholas Aplin’s ‘Towering’ contains brutalist yet beautiful North Melbourne housing landscapes, Kara Mandell’s ‘In The Beginning’ draws connections between the cosmos and human body, and Sara Deane’s ‘Colours of Jaipur’ is a response to the vibrant architecture of the northern Indian city.

Ireland in the mid-1800s was not a particularly happy or pleasant time as it was the period of the Great Hunger. Tom Sullivan, writer and director of the film, ARRACHT joins Richard to chat about the impact of the great hunger on Irish Culture and the way it's explored in ARRACHT.

Every year, Creative Partnerships Australia gives out awards to celebrate philanthropy in the arts sector. Richard is joined by the CEO of Creative Partnerships Australia, Fiona Menzies, to discuss the 2020 awards winners, plus provide an overview of the awards and why philanthropy is an important part of the arts sector.

Waanyi artist Judy Watson and Kokatha and Nukunu artist Yhonnie Scarce share recent and personally painful histories of the destruction, exploitation, and degradation of land and of colonisation. Curator of the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Hetti Perkins discusses with Richard Judy and Yhonnie’s latest exhibition Looking Glass. Detailing Australia’s secret and dirty war—a battle fought on many fronts from colonial massacres to Stolen Generations, from the Maralinga bomb tests to the climate emergency. Looking Glass is being exhibited at TarraWarra from November 28th to March 8th.

The Melbourne Fringe Festival is a mix of wacky and wonderful shows. Two such shows are CATS: The Movie, the Musical, The Production, The Artist & Lousical The Musical, created by Jean Tong and Lou Wall respectively. One is a mockumentary that punches down on a musical that has been “piss taken to the ends of the Earth and back,” whilst the other is a pop music comedy, part stand up, part song, and part “online meme content”. Both shows were available to stream online as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival’s 2020 programming.

ARRACHT (Trailer) | YouTube

Ireland Picks ‘Arracht’ for Oscars’ International Feature Film Race | Variety

Meet our 2020 Creative Partnerships Award recipients | Creative Partnerships Australia

MATCH Lab | Creative Partnerships Australia

Plus1 | Creative Partnerships Australia

Looking Glass | TarraWarra Museum of Art

CATS: The Movie, the Musical, The Production, The Artist | Melbourne Fringe

Lousical The Musical | Melbourne Fringe

The 8th Amendment was one of Ireland’s most controversial pieces of legislation, heavily limiting women's reproductive rights. Filmmaker Anna Rodgers joins Richard to discuss When Women Won a documentary about the referendum to overturn the 8th Amendment and the emotional inside story of the Together for Yes campaign. When Women Won is screening as part of the Irish Film Festival of Australia’s 2020 programming.

Richard is also joined by Australian playwright, Wesley Enoch to chat about the launch of the 2021 Sydney Festival. Next year’s Sydney Festival will continue the festival’s proud 44-year history of commissioning and presenting inspiring and ground-breaking new Australian art, running from January 6th to 26th

These are probably questions you can’t answer but, What Would John Hughes Do? Is your adulthood living up to what you thought it would be? Writer and performer, Telia Neville, joins Richard to talk about her aforementioned play, a punk cabaret about pop-culture-induced expectations and the real experiences that follow. What Would John Hughes Do? Is part of Melbourne Fringe’s 2020 Digital Fringe programming.

Lastly, the Artistic Director of Photo 2021, Elias Redstone talks to Richard about the launch of the festival and to provide an overview of what will be on offer. Photo 2021 will run online and in-person from February 8th to March 7th, 2021.

Irish Film Festival Australia

Sydney Festival | SydFest 2021 Launch

What Would John Hughes Do | Melbourne Fringe

Photo 2021

Back in September, an initiative and Kickstarter campaign was launched to help provide both financial assistance and industry support for BIPOC theatre performers. Tarik Frimpong, founder of the Artists of Colour Initiative joins Richard to talk about the announcement of the six finalists. Prizes include scholarships from the Patrick School of Arts, plus a share of the total money raised from the crowdfunding campaign.

The coronavirus pandemic's arrival in Australia in March 2020 caused multiple arts festivals to cancel events earlier in the year. One such event was the Melbourne Queer Film Festival which was 5 days into its programming when restrictions and lockdowns began. Program Director of MQFF, Spiro Economopoulos, joins Richard to chat about MQFF Interrupted, the online relaunch of the festival’s 2020 programming. Streaming from November 19th to 30th, the program will show the best of top-notch queer cinema.

As restrictions ease, Artistic Director of Heide Museum of Modern Art, Lesley Harding joins Richard to chat about the gallery’s 2021 programming announcements, the future plans of the gallery, and Heide Summer Festival, an outdoor event series designed to support local performing artists, live music and cultural festivals. Tickets for the Summer Festival will go on sale from December 1st with Heide reopening on November 28th.

AOC Initiative Website

Top Six Finalist Announced for AOC | Arts Review

Melbourne Queer Film Festival

Heide Re-opens November 28th

Heide Summer Festival

This week, Richard is joined by Gallery Director of the Monash Gallery of Art, Anouska Phizacklea, to discuss this year’s Bowness Photography Prize, the proposed exhibition of the shortlisted works and the changes in Australian photography over the last decade and a half.

Director of the Jewish Museum of Australia, Jess Bram, joins Richard to talk about Sukkah by Zahava Elenberg, a temporary structured set up at Birrarung Marr that invites everyone to reflect on humanity and what it means to be in a community.

The temporary structure will be situated at Birrarung Marr until December 13th with the museum reopening its doors to the public in February 2021.

Lastly, Festival Director of the Irish Film Festival of Australia, Dr. Enda Murray joins Richard to chat about how this year’s festival will run and provide an overview of the program on offer.

Streaming on-demand from November 19th to 29th, the Irish Film Festival is coming to a sofa near you!

Bowness Prize | Monash Gallery of Art

Sukkah | Jewish Museum of Australia

Irish Film Festival of Australia

Being creative during a lockdown and a global pandemic mustn’t be easy but it’s amazing just what can be created whilst under pressuring conditions.

Creative Director and CEO of Melbourne Fringe, Simon Abrahams joins Richard to discuss how the 2020 rendition of the Melbourne Fringe festival will look and just what will be on offer, running from November 12th to 29th.

Back in March, a new play, Single Ladies was in its first week of previews but Covid-19 forced it to close. Since then a new set of audio plays were developed in its place. Actor, Caroline Lee joins Richard to discuss Single Ladies Now a prequel to the aforementioned play. Set in Collingwood, the audio works were written as companions to the original piece.

How well do you know your bushrangers? Can you name just one (most likely Ned Kelly) or many? A lesser-known bushranger, Captain Moonlite is the subject of author Garry Linnell’s latest book aptly titled Moonlite. Garry joined Richard to discuss the writing of Moonlite & also about why he feels Australian history should be retold so it’s more accessible and entertaining to both students and history lovers alike. Moonlite is out now via Penguin Books Australia.

Welcome to the 2020 Festival | Melbourne Fringe

Single Ladies Now | Red Stitch Actors' Theatre

Red Stitch - Single Ladies Now | Aussie Theatre

Moonlite - Garry Linnell | Penguin Books Australia

Managing Director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sophie Galaise joins Richard to chat about the first part of the MSO’s 2021 programming. Featuring a range of free concerts and more, part 1 of the MSO’s 2021 programming will begin on January 29th and run until June.

Also, Jenny M Thomas of folk band Bush Gothic chats to Richard about their recent collaboration with Welsh fiddle-player, Angharad Jenkins, the struggles of pronouncing Welsh properly plus their new songs, I Fyw I Fôd (To Live and To Be) and Sosbahn Fach (Little Saucepan) - the story about just how crazy domesticity can be.

Lastly, Danny Pearson MP, the new Minister for Creative Industries, chats to Richard about the announcement of the Victorian Creative Strategy and Survey. The survey is looking to hear from young people aged 15 to 25, First Nations People, the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone else who feels as though their voices are not heard in order to make sure the resources, strategic focus, and intent are properly allocated to guide Victoria’s creative sector out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Season 2021 Guide | MSO

Bush Gothic | Bandcamp

Creative Strategy Survey | Engage Victoria

Director and CEO of ACMI, Katrina Sedgewick joins Richard to talk about the launch of a new gallery in 2021. After ACMI’s closure in 2019 and subsequent 40 million dollar renovation of the new gallery.

Richard is also joined by Craft Victoria director, Bryony Nainby to discuss Craft Contemporary, a new festival exploring how craft is evolving in the 21st century.

Also, Artistic Director of the Korean Film Festival of Australia, David Park joins the show to give an overview of this year’s edition of the festival as well as talk about the challenges all festivals have faced so far in 2020. Running from October 29th to November 5th, the full program will be available to anyone, anywhere in Australia for free!

And lastly, what have you been doing during Covid-19? Have you been using this time for self-reflection and exercise or perhaps, because the gyms are closed, you’ve found the couch to be quite comfortable and chocolate has become your vice.

Whatever you’ve been up to, we’ve all got something to confess in regards to our activities. Co-lead artist, Joseph Appleton, joins Richard to chat about the Corona Confessions project asking Melbournians to share their innermost thoughts and create a collective snapshot of the city during Covid-19. Organised by independent artist-collective, FLAG inc., you can submit your confessions via FLAG inc.’s website.

The Story of the Moving Image | ACMI

ACMI is reopening in 2021, here's what to expect | Broadsheet

Craft Contemporary | Craft.org

Korean Film Festival of Australia 2020

FLAG inc | Corona Confessions

Tai Snaith joins Richard for the visual arts review segment Art Attack to review Jamie O'Connell's Love Saves the Day. A poetic, simple, sort of strange but ephemeral exhibition on until the 7th of November at Neon Parc Gallery.

Also, Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria Ted Gott talks to Richard about Don’t Leave Me This Way: Art in the Age of AIDS, an online lecture released as part of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art’s Defining Moments annual lecture series. It's about a 1994 exhibition that presented over 200 works on the subject of HIV/AIDS by more than 100 Australian and international artists, covering the scope and inception stories behind the exhibition.

Lastly, Chaosium’s Michael O’Brien chats with Richard about tabletop games, RPGs, and Melbourne International Games Week's Big Games Night In happening on Sunday, October 4.

Love Saves the Day | Neon Parc Gallery

Don't Leave Me this Way | ACCA Melbourne

Chaosium | Home

Games Week Melbourne

Literary Manager of Australian Plays, John Kachoyan joins Richard to discuss the launch of the NIMROD 50 Collection. An extensive and exciting collection of previously unpublished or out of print works to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nimrod Street Theatre Company.

Richard is also joined by playwright and assistant lecturer at Monash University, Fleur Kilpatrick, and Gemma Livingstone, a theatre student at Monash University, who shared their thoughts about the proposed closure of the university’s Centre for Theatre and Performing Arts.

Fleur also talked about how COVID-19 has changed the manner in which theatre companies, actors, artists and others involved in the industry now operate.

Australian Plays launches the NIMROD 50 Collection | Arts Review

NIMROD 50 Collection | Australian Plays

The Centre Cannot Hold | Witness Performance

Save Our CTP

Why the "new normal" should be artist led | Arts Hub

Gallery Director of No Vacancy, Hayley Hanes joins Richard to discuss the online exhibition Still Life. Featuring works from over sixty artists, the exhibition is inspired by objects that provide comfort and stillness of mind.

Ace Wagstaff returns for his fortnightly Art Attack segment, reviewing Tom Civil’s Sparks exhibition on until September 20th at Backwoods Gallery.

Lastly, Melbourne artist, Laresa Kosloff discusses Radical Acts, a darkly humorous and critical short film commissioned by Buxton Contemporary, assembled and edited entirely using stock footage as its medium. Radical Acts tells the fantastical story of frustrated climate scientists who devise a plan to ensure they’re no longer ignored.

Still Life | No Vacancy

Sparks by Tom Civil | Backwoods Gallery

Laresa Kosloff - Radical Acts | Buxton Contemporary

Assistant Director of Curatorial and Audience Engagement at the NGV, Donna McColm joins Richard to talk about the announcement of Melbourne Now 2023, a massive free exhibition of art, design, and performance that celebrates Victoria’s creativity. The NGV hopes the exhibition will reignite the state’s creative spark and give the population something to look forward to as Melbourne retains its cultural capital crown after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Richard is also joined by Dr. Wendy Were from the Australia Council for the Arts to discuss the Council's Creating Our Future report. The report is a landmark research series that explores Australians’ engagement with and attitudes towards the arts and provides vital new evidence about the essential role arts and creativity play in Australian communities.

Thirdly, Tameka Carter phones up to chat with Richard about State of Disaster, a community art project started in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and Alexandra Heller Nicholas joins Richard to talk about In Fabric, a long weekend for fashion victims and film fetishists coming up at the Capitol Theatre.

Creating Our Future Report | Australia Council

Melbourne Now 2023 | NGV

In Fabric Long Weekend | Capitol Theatre RMIT

Richard is joined by Paul Davies, Director of MEAA Musicians who discussed the need for a comprehensive cultural policy to help sustain the arts in all its forms and invigorating everyone who consumes and creates art as well as increasing participation in the sector.

Plus Richard chats with writer and journalist Ben Eltham about the Parliament of Australia’s inquiry into our creative and cultural industries and institutions. The inquiry is taking submissions and will also involve hearings, with a report due next year. The hope is that both the inquiry and report will lead to policy changes that support the Arts Sector.

Australia needs a comprehensive cultural policy | MEAA Australia

Australia's creative and cultural industries and institutions | Parliament of Australia

Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and recently appointed First Peoples curator at the TarraWarra Art Gallery, Stacie Piper joined Richard to talk about the Djirri Djirri Cultural Group who spoke as part of the Tall Trees Festival that happened on Sunday, August 23rd. The ticket proceeds from this year’s festival will be spent helping defend our vital native forests.

Plus the Artistic Director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Janina Harding, joined Richard for an overview of the festival including a talk about the indigenous response to the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s voyage.

Lastly, Richard spoke with Joel McGuiness, the Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Arts Centre to chat about the centre’s ongoing August live streams and the package of grants released through its Creative Engine program to benefit artists and creatives of the Geelong and Surf Coast Shire area.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair | Homepage

Geelong Arts Centre | Homepage

Geelong Arts Centre | Creative Engine Grant

Comedian and composer, Lou Wall phones in to talk to Richard about Dramageddon a genre-bending choose your own adventure podcast created by Lou and Jean Tong that pits two queer people against the climate apocalypse in 2050. Dramageddon is part of the Melbourne Writers’ Festival 2020 MWF Digital programming.
Richard is also joined by curator and arts writer, Natalie King, to discuss the Mini Monographs series of books published by Thames and Hudson. The series is a collection of small, compact books on an artist containing images of their most loved works accompanied by text written by someone outside of the art world.

Lastly, Richard is joined by choreographer Prue Lang, who is involved in the Science Gallery’s Body / Insect / Machine, a work that explores the body, androids, artificial movement and intelligence on the one side and the body, human instinct, natural movement and nature on the other.

Dramageddon | MWF Digital

Natalie King's Mini Monographs | Thames and Hudson

Science Gallery | Body / Insect / Move

Melbourne based playwright, Gabriel Bergmoser talks to Richard about the musical radio-play adaptation of the Midsumma 2018 Bittern By Productions, Moonlite, one of Australia’s lesser-known bushrangers, out now online.
Richard is also joined by Mia Falstein Rush, MIFF’s Shorts programmer to chat about the festival’s 68½ programming for 2020 and the various short films on offer for this year’s festival which has moved online amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lastly, Creative Producer for Families and Children at Arts Centre Melbourne, Mary Harvey, discusses the launch of Bambert’s Lost Stories, a theatrical tale for families by Barking Gecko Theatre plus the complementary range of creative activities inspired by the show to keep young minds occupied during this time.

Moonlite Radio-Play

MIFF | MIFF 2020

Bambert's Book of Lost Stories | Arts Centre Melbourne

Bernard Caleo returns for his regular segment, Drawn Out exploring all things comics and visual novels.

Richard is also joined by Yarra Valley based photographer, Suzanne Phoenix to discuss her Isolation Portraits Exhibition which is now available online now. The portraits were taken during the various stages of Coronavirus restrictions in Upper Yarra Valley.

Lastly, CEO of the Contemporary Arts Precinct - AKA Collingwood Yards, Marcus Westbury chats to Richard about how the closing of arts precincts affected not only the venues themselves but the commercial outlets that also operate within these venues such as food and beverage outlets. Marcus also talked about the $300,000 grant from the Victorian Government issued to help venues such as the Collingwood Yards afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.suzannephoenix.com.au/isolation-portraits

https://collingwoodyards.org/

Richard starts the episode with Veronica Pardo, CEO of Multicultural Arts Victoria about a new commissions program Shelter. The program sees art as a powerful way to share the unique perspective of multicultural practitioners on the experience of Covid because "what artists do is kind of creep in under your skin".

Next Richard chats with Narungga and Trawoolwaway artist Daen Sansbury-Smith about his new exhibition Black Crow, which is available online via the Koorie Heritage Trust. Sansbury-Smith sees his art as a responsibility; a way to share his stories and culture with his family and those around him.

Richard finishes with a discussion with Lena Nahlous, the Executive Director of Diversity Arts Australia, about their Creative Equity Toolkit. Nahlous hopes the kit can provide tools for people in the arts industry to have empowered conversations about the underrepresentation of CALD people in every area, and particularly in management. Nahlous would like to see organisations proactively challenging systemic racism.

Richard chats with Lisa Byrne, the Director of McClelland Sculpture Park about the announcement of the Southern Way McClelland Commission 2021. The sculptures are initially exhibited for a period of four years at one of two sites beside the highway, before finding a permanent home at the sculpture park. The 2021 Commission recipient, Manon van Kouswijk, is a jeweller, which will be reflected in her piece Peninsula Pearls, due to be unveiled in spring, next year.

Richard follows with a conversation with Spiro Economopoulos, the Program Director of Melbourne Queer Film Festival, which had to cancel it's 2020 program only days after launching in March due to Covid-19. They've returned with a special Online MQFF streaming Festival built around representing the diversity of queer stories.

Finally Richard talks with Simon Abrahams, the Creative Director and CEO of Melbourne Fringe about their new festival, VCR Fest 2020. Melbourne Fringe have engaged big-name artists to create special online content, including a new work by Zoë Coombs Marr. Abrahams hopes to be able to keep artists in paid work and to continue the important contribution of arts to the community.

Richard speaks with Shadow Arts Minister Tony Burke about the government's arts package. He argues that arts workers need JobKeeper and not JobSeeker so as to keep them in the industry. "I've spent a lifetime arguing about the arts being important for our stories, for our soul, for oxygen, for our community to define who we are, how we see each other, how the world sees us. If that argument's not going to resonate with the government can they at least understand that the individuals concerned here are workers. They are part of an economy that functions as an ecology and if you cut out any section of it you harm the whole thing."

Next Richard is on the line with Ben Byrne, Founder and director of the Avantwhatever Festival, which bills itself as "an online festival of experimental music, sonic art and design." Byrne is not just interested in sonic art, he's also interested in the platform. He has concentrated on accessibility, both in the sense of securing alternative funding for the festival, and in ensuring that Avantwhatever is one corner of the internet that doesn't work to pull the user into a commercial space.

Richard continues the conversation about arts funding with Esther Anatolitis, who is the Executive Director of the National Association For The Visual Arts. Anatolitis says that the funding available isn't reaching the artists who need it because it has not taken into account the reality of how arts workers earn their income.

And finally a catch up with Fleur Kilpatrick for the Shoot the Messenger theatre segment. Kilpatrick appreciates artists' creativity, flexibility and resilience in creating new works that have embraced the mediums available during the pandemic.

Richard chats with Tariro Mavondo, co-Artistic Director of Western Edge Youth Arts. WEYA have put young people at the centre of their organising model because "at WEYA we really believe that our young people are the change".

Plus Martina Copley, Gallery Coordinator and Artistic Director of BLINDSIDE Gallery hops on the line to talk about reopening during COVID-19. She reflects upon their experience and the way it has influenced artistic practice. "I have to thank the artists. It's quite incredible their resilience and their ability to shift the orientation of their work at quite short notice."

Finally Richard chats with Dr Darrin Verhagen about his new projecting Remixing ACMI. Verhagen's research is on the relationship of sound to emotion in the context of the moving image. In collaboration with ACMI he has led a team to produce some creative re-mixes of archival works.

Richard speaks with Nicole Beyer, the Executive Director of Theatre Network Australia about the Federal Government's recently announced $250 million arts sector bail-out package. Beyer shared her cautious confidence in the government implementing a strategy that takes into account the long-term impacts of COVID.

Plus Richard chats with David Berthold, the executive chair of Playwriting Australia, about an exciting new work that speaks to the COVID experience. Dear Australia is a collaboration of 50 Australian playwrights creating 50 "postcards" which will be livestreamed. The works diverge, but Berthold said a theme that has emerged is 'hope'.

Finally Richard chats with Lesley Harding, the Artistic Director of Heide Museum of Modern Art, which is reopening with a retrospective of Joy Hester. Hester has been somewhat overlooked amongst her modernist contemporaries such as Albert Tucker and Sidney Nolan. This exhibition aims to showcase her powerful work to a wide audience.

Richard talks with Mary Jane Warfield from Regional Arts Australia, the Manager of the Regional Arts Fund, which has received a significant increase in funding. She hopes that the money will aid community building in regional areas.

Plus a conversation with Artshouse Artistic Director Emily Sexton about BLEED, a digital festival that will be held in collaboration with Campbelltown Arts Centre. The idea of a digital festival was in the works before the pandemic. Sexton doesn't want to simply use digital technology, but also to interrogate its place in our lives.

Finally Richard talks with Jason Smith, Director and CEO of Geelong Art Gallery which is set to reopen on Monday 22nd June. Smith says that the work people have done to maintain engagement with the arts throughout the pandemic has been terrific, but nothing quite compares to being in the same room as an artwork.

This week on SmartArts, Richard chats with Simon Abrahams, the Creative Director and CEO of Melbourne Fringe about the plans for the upcoming festival. Simon outlines plans on how the festival will adapt around covid-19 with four planned scenarios in the works, from business-as-usual to a full lockdown. One way or another the show must go on.

Melbourne Theatre Company are facing a different set of challenges. Richard discusses these with the Executive Director Virginia Lovett. MTC heavily relies on their live audience, so Lovett predicts it will be a long time until the MTC returns to profitability. She hopes that the organisation will receive external support to continue their work.

Richard continues the theme with Jessica Bridgfoot, the Director of Bendigo Art Gallery. She's overseeing the grand re-opening of the gallery this week. She is optimistic about the future saying "if anything, the pandemic's demonstrated how agile we can all be".

In new segment Demystifying the Arts Richard explores the work of a choreographer with Jo Lloyd. Lloyd says choreography is all around us and describes it as "an intersection of space and time. It's also about structured action".

Richard speaks with Maree Di Pasquale who is the Fair Director and CEO of Melbourne Art Foundation about their annual Melbourne Art Fair and the trials and tribulations of transitioning the format of the festival during COVID-19.

Plus Richard speaks with Joel McGuinness, CEO of Geelong Arts Centre, about considerations for re-opening the space. The challenge is to continue to engage artists and audiences while considering their safety. He sees some of the restrictions as an opportunity to think about new ways of doing things. For example, the travel restrictions have meant that Geelong Arts Centre are focusing more on local talent.

Richard chats with Gideon Obarzanek and Hannah Fox, the co-artistic directors of RISING, a new festival taking the place of Melbourne Festival and White Night. RISING has put a call-out for new works from Victorian artists with the aim to showcase pieces that are bold, outside of the box and very Melbourne.

Richard also speaks with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young about the Green's push for a generous new arts package. For Hanson-Young it's about what kind of society we want to build with the stimulus that will necessarily take place after COVID. She shares the adage that "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease".

Finally Richard chats with Tahli Corin who is one of the co-creators of Mountain Goat Mountain. Corin says that part of their inspiration for the work was reading that theatre was not just a place for people to enjoy productions, but to connect. As such they have created an online, interactive theatre experience designed for the whole family to enjoy together.

Richard is joined by Evelyn Richardson, the Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia, to discuss the organisation's two-year recovery plan for the arts. Richardson would like to see live venues and their staff supported by the government until they can resume their work in a safe way.

Plus Kent Morris, the CEO of Torch Gallery, gets on the line to talk about Confined 11. It's the latest in their series of exhibitions featuring works from Indigenous artists who are or have recently been, incarcerated. Morris says "Interestingly, for First Nations Australians across the country we don't have a word for art because what is perceived as art is just part of our everyday life."

Richard debuts a new segment 'Demystifying the Arts'. He speaks with Sarah Goodes, the Associate Artistic Director at the Melbourne Theatre Company, about the role of a theatre director. Goodes sees her role as collaborative world building. She says "It should be the function of art to help us understand the times we're living in".

Richard speaks with Martin Foley, the Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, about the newly announced $16.8 million arts survival package from the Vic state Government. The package is about valuing the contribution of the arts and recognises that most artists are not well served by the current COVID-19 support packages because they work outside of traditional employment structures.

Artist Mark Schaller joins Richard to discuss his new exhibition Botanicus Fantasticus. The vibrant pieces were inspired by time spent in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne. Schaller isn't taking his work too seriously: "I started doing a lot of drawings in there and y'know one thing led to another and then it sort of became an exhibition."

and finally, Chris Howlett, who is a Co-Director of Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, calls up to chat about their new project Faces Of Our Orchestras. This series will take advantage of the medium of online performance to feature orchestral musicians as individual players or in small groupings

This week on SmartArts, Richard speaks with regular guest Tai Snaith about creative and educational activities you can undertake with your children, delving into the unconscious, with ideas around dreaming and free association.

Artist Deanne Gilson joins Richard to discuss her work as part of Affirmation, an exhibition which will be shown online via the Koori Heritage Trust. Gilson works in multiple mediums to reinterpret colonial images of Aboriginal people through a black lens. She says that Aboriginal artistic practise is “all healing. It’s all part of our journey, part of unpacking our past.”

Plus a conversation with Janet McLeod, the curator of Local Laughs Online about how covid-19 is impacting comedians and the way in which online platforms are changing the creative practice of comedy.

Richard talks to Annika Kristensen, the Senior Curator of The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) about a call-out to artists to submit proposals for the creation of new digital works. Kristensen says that the challenges of this time present an opportunity for ACCA to fulfil their mission statement which is to “do art differently”.

Sarah Lyons, the Senior Education and Audience Engagement Officer at Bunjil Place Gallery joins Richard to discuss their digital programs through #ArtsInIsolation. Lyons says that this is an exciting time to trial a new way of doing things and hopes that they take these new practices into the future.

Finally Richard talks with Michael Fitzgerald, the Editor of Art Monthly Australiasia, a visual arts magazine that lost funding in the last Australia Council grants round. Fitzgerald says “it means basically we’re having to do what we’ve always done which is to be creative, entrepreneurial, and pulling rabbits out of the hat”

Richard talks to artist, facilitator, educator and play specialist Cat Sewell about tapping into kids’ innate ability to play.

Then he talks to Nicole Beyer, who is the Executive Director of Theatre Network Australia, about the latest funding round from The Australia Council for the Arts. Beyer says that it’s vital for people to advocate for the arts sector in the face of ongoing cuts.

Finally Richard speaks with Angela Savage who is the Director of Writers Victoria. She says that the pandemic might be a good time for some people to write, but perhaps not everyone. She advises that the writing process requires space for quiet reflection and a lot of hard work.

On this episode Richard discusses ways artists are staying connected to their community and work throughout the pandemic.

He speaks with Fleur Kilpatrick for their regular segment Shoot the Messenger. However, instead of discussing live theatre they discuss some of the interesting works and collaborations appearing online.

Richard then speaks with Adrian Collette AM. Collette is the CEO of Australia Council for the Arts which is the Australian government’s arts funding and advisory body. The discussion centres around the reallocation of funding to better serve the arts community during the pandemic.

Next Richard speaks with Kate Ryan who is the curator of children’s programs at the NGV. The NGV has organised online activities to keep kids creative and engaged in the arts.

Finally Richard speaks with fashion illustrator Angie Rehe about ways people can improve their drawing skills. Rehe said “learning to draw is really learning to see”, and shares activities to help focus the brain on drawing literally rather than symbolically.

On this episode of SmartArts, Richard explores the creative ways that arts workers are adapting to the pandemic.

He talks to Tai Snaith about the art projects she's doing with her kids. Tai is looking for the positives, which for her is spending time with her family enjoying the natural world.

Richard talks to Greta Bradman of the Arts Wellbeing Collective about ways for arts workers to look after their mental health in this time of uncertainty for the industry. She says that as well as exercising for our bodies, people should be exercising their minds, their creativity and their social heart.

Finally Richard talks to Bryony Nainby who is the director of Craft Gallery and the curator of Objects Of Love, which is an exhibition of artworks that symbolise love across a diversity of cultures. Originally intended to be a live exhibition, the Craft Gallery have moved to a virtual exhibition on their website.

On this week’s episode Richard explores the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector.

Richard talks to Daniel Santangeli, Artistic Director & Co-CEO of Footscray Community Arts Centre which is a part of the Arts West Alliance. Footscray Community Arts Centre have shut their doors out of respect for the members of their community who are most at risk during this crisis, especially those with a disability and Indigenous Australians. However, they are keeping the space open just for artists with a disability. They are hoping to provide a place where there’s a reduced risk of infection for these practitioners to work. Footscray Community Arts Centre are also advocating for the government to provide an arts stimulus package, so the arts sector can do what it does best, “which is provide community connection through creativity”.

Next Richard talks to Esther Anatolitis from the National Association for the Visual Arts. Her organisation is keeping track of the disruption to the arts industry and is also lobbying the government for a stimulus package. She hopes that the Australian government will rediscover its role through its handling of the crisis.

Finally Richard talks with Amelia Wallen who is the Director of West Space. West Space have just moved to a new location in Collingwood. They were preparing to put on their first exhibition in their new gallery when they had to postpone due to the pandemic. They are currently working on ways to make the work accessible to the public through this crisis. Wallen says that the exhibition is timely in that it’s “looking at the different conditions under which artists produce work and this is a condition unlike no other.”

Richard speaks with playwright Merrilee Moss about her new work Running with Emus. Moss was inspired to write this work when she moved to a country town and was "thrust into the role of outsider, otherwise known as blow-in".

Then Richard talks with Sam Strong the director of the new version of David Williamson's play Emerald City, which has been put on to celebrate Williamson's 50th year as a playwright. Strong believes that people have a right to represent their own stories in their own voice. He says that this play was originally groundbreaking in representing an Australian story in an Australian voice, and such works have since helped people of other groups to do the same.

Finally Richard interviews artist Matthew Sleeth about his work A Drone Opera. This work is the culmination of ongoing multi-disclipinary practice around the themes of surveillance, fetishisation of technology, and the military aspect of drones.

This episode of SmartArts is hosted by Daniel Santangeli, filling in for Richard Watts.

Have you ever wondered about deaf-culture? Curious about deaf-lead creative practices and projects? Anna Seymour comes into the studio and breaks down Mini SPIN, an immersive and interactive dance rave for deaf, CODA and hearing children and their families, taking place at Northcote Town Hall.

Also joining Daniel: Jacqui Stockdale talks about her exhibition The Long Shot, looking at the women, First Nations people and Chinese Australians who were a part of the Kelly story and educator and curator David Menzies with artist Tasmia Islam about Top Arts 2020, an annual showcase of senior students in Victoria on display at the NGV.

Richard talks to Jo Lloyd about her entrance in the 2020 Keir Choreographic Awards semi-finals. Lloyd says that the competition format creates a rigid framework, but the results can be quite diverse. Lloyd's work, That's Her Name, is informed by her choreographic principle to "make Your Own Disneyland".

Richard talks to Troy Innocent, who is a games designer and researcher at RMIT, about his new app 64 Ways of Being. 64 Ways of Being uses augmented reality to explore concepts for which there is no English word.

Richard talks to dancer, activist and polymath Mallika Sarahbhai and artist and curator Nithya Nagarajan about their work SVA Kranti: The Revolution Within. Sarahbai's family was involved in the revolutionary struggle of Mahatma Ghandi. She has always seen her art as an extension of her activism, inspired by her mother doing the same.

On this episode, Richard is joined by Ilbijerri Theatre Company Artistic Director Rachael Maza to talk about Black Ties, playing as part of the Asia TOPA festival in Melbourne, Australia. Also, curator Annika Aitken discusses the Japanese Modernism exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, and Victorian Opera CEO Elizabeth Hill-Cooper chats about their production Salome.

Richard talks to David Woods and Jon Haynes about The Importance of Being Earnest. They discussed how to move a classic work like this beyond being “comfort food” for the audience.

Richard then spoke to Victor Griss from Counihan Gallery. The gallery is expanding and has three new exhibitions. f_OCUS features women’s works from their collection. Histrionic and Screen Time examine the interconnected phenomena of online culture and surveillance culture.

Finally Richard spoke to playwright Kim Ho about The Great Australian Play. This play explores the story of Lasseter’s Reef. Kim feels that the DNA of colonial Australia can be distilled into the folly of this expedition.

This week's SmartArts is hosted by Daniel Santangeli, filling in for Richard Watts.

Daniel reviews theatre with Fleur Kilpatrick on the regular Shoot the Messenger segment. They discuss Birdoir, New Balance, and The Feather in the Web. This segment contains explicit content.

Then Daniel talks to Phaptawan Suwannakudt about Knowledge in Your Hands, Eyes and Mind. This work focuses on a temple Phaptawan grew up around, and the art of temple murals. The title refers to knowledge acquired through action, through observation and through thought.

Daniel finishes the show talking to Shelley Lasica about her two upcoming dance performances The Design Plot and Greater Union. Shelley considers form and context as an intrinsic part of all of her works.

Richard talks with Miranda Hill, the director of Homophonic, which is a Midsumma show of queer contemporary classical music.

Then he speaks with Declan Greene, director of Feather in the Web, which is a contemporary Australian play with a very unusual and challenging main character. Declan describes the play as "super fun and then then it's super not fun".

Finally Richard speaks with Tomas Parrish who plays the lead role in When the Light Leaves which is a play about assisted dying. If you find that topic challenging, you can stop the podcast at 30 minutes.

Richard and Bernard Caleo discuss comics in the monthly Drawn Out segment. This month they talk about Ubby’s Underdogs by Brenton McKenna and My Big Life by Bailey Sharpe.

Then Richard talks to Ben Northey, the conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, about the upcoming performance of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Ben discusses the role of a conductor and how he found himself in this role of artistic leader and “benevolent dictator”.

Finally Richard talks to playwright Lachlan Philpott and musician Paul Mac about their upcoming show The Rise and Fall of Saint George. This work is based on real events experienced by Paul Mac during Australia’s same sex marriage referendum.

Richard chats to Bernard Caleo about the latest comics, Theatreworks General Manager Dianne Toulson for their 2020 program and Melinda Martin, Director of Linden New Art for the Linden Postcard Show.

Richard discusses a program overview of Asia TOPA with Artistic Director Stephen Armstrong and Associate Director Kate Ben-Tovim. Armstrong says that one of the major themes running through the program is "how the past is a ballast for the present and the future."

Richard discusses a new book The Australian Musical: From the Beginning with Co-author Peter Wyllie Johnston. This comprehensive history is a work of passion from two people who have a lifetime love of musical theatre. Wyllie Johnston started his first scrapbook on musical theatre at age eleven. His collection of information culminated in a PhD on the subject and now this book. He says his co-author, Peter Pinne, is equally as passionate.

Richard talks to Alison Croggon about her new Platform Paper on arts criticism. Alison is an award-winning critic and creative and addresses the question 'why is arts criticism important?'.

CEO at Midsumma Festival Karen Bryant joins Richard to discuss some of the highlights of the upcoming festival, whick takes over Melbourne, Australia for an epic 22-day celebration of queer arts and culture in January and February. Also on the show, Contemporary Art Curator at National Gallery of Victoria Pip Wallis previews the world premiere exhibition Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines, showing at the NGV International until April 2020. Lastly, Artistic Director at Patalog Theatre Co. Ben Walter talks about their production of the Simon Stephens play Punk Rock showing at Fortyfive Downstairs in Melbourne.

What's in a name? Richard speaks with Geelong Arts Centre (formerly called Geelong Performing Arts Centre) CEO Joel McGuinness about the Centre's re-badging, to coincide with a mammoth $38.5 million redevelopment. They chat about how the Centre will cater to Geelong's diverse and evolving arts ecosystem as the city continues to grow, and look ahead to some highlights from the Centre's eclectic program.

He's also joined by celebrated contemporary artist Louise Weaver to talk about her exhibition Between appearances: the art of Louise Weaver at Buxton Contemporary (Melbourne, Australia) - a unique collection of works spanning fantastical creatures, iridescent other worlds, minutely observed details from nature, uncanny objects and unsettling organic forms.

Richard also delves into the provocative 'non-traditional musical' Kiss of the Spider Woman, showing at the Melbourne Theatre Company. Joined by cast member Natalie Gamsu and Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer Luca Dinardo, they discuss the process of adapting the piece for the Melbourne audience, how the cast and crew worked together to present the production in a new light and the challenges of engaging (or not) with reviews.

Richard talks to Wesley Enoch, the Artistic Director of Sydney Festival 2020. They discuss Sydney Festival's extraordinary contribution of commissioning 46 new works from both Australian and International artists.

Following that Richard talks to Women's Circus Executive Producer Devon Taylor and Creative Director Penelope Bartlau about their new show Drill. Drill explores the alternative history of the drill hall within which Women's Circus meets. Their focus on women, trans and non-binary stories subverts the history of this previously male-only space.

Finally Richard talks to Curator Victor Griss and Artists Janelle Low and Frances Tapueluelu about the upcoming show at Counihan Gallery Language and Liberty. This is the latest in the Moreland Summer Show series, which features work from the plethora of artists living within Moreland. The theme Language and Liberty is a tribute to both Noel Counihan's involvement in free speech campaigns, and the 2019 UNESCO Year of Indigenous Languages.

Richard starts the show with the Drawn Out comics segment with Bernard Caleo. The discussion has a focus on new works by Australian artists. They discuss Deep Breaths by Chris Gooch, Bad Gateway by Simon Hanselmann, The Chant of the Big Black Birds by Simon McKeown, and The Adventures of Anders by Gregory Mackay.

Next up Richard talks to Anni Davey, who's the Artistic Director of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, about the upcoming Borderville Circus Festival. The Flying Fruit Fly Circus has been an integral part of the Albury Wodonga community teaching generations of kids circus. This event will celebrate that history and bring successive generations of graduates and volunteers together.

Finally Richard talks to Carolyn Fraser who is the Lead Curator of the State Library of Victoria's new gallery space and the exhibition Velvet, Iron and Ashes. The exhibition is about local history and the title refers to three artefacts - Ned Kelly's armour, the famous cricket ashes, and a dress created for the pagent of nations event held at Melbourne's centenary. Carolyn draws fascinating links between these objects and others in the exhibition.

Richard talks to Iain Grandage, the artistic director from the Perth Festival, about the 2020 program. Iain is the first Perth local to hold this position and has brought a strong Indigenous focus to the program.

Next up is writer/director Krystalla Pearce and writer Maja Amanita discussing the new show She Is Vigilante. This is a series of short plays put on by Theatre Works. The show had an open call for both writers and actors with the aim of opening up the theatre to new practitioners and audiences. The theme She Is Vigilante was chosen with the aim of providing complex roles for women.

Finally Richard talks to curator Diane Soumilas and author Colin Smith regarding Stories in clay: Arthur Merric Boyd Pottery at Glen Eira City Council’s Gallery. Arthur Boyd is described as an artist who was ahead of his time and was continually reinventing and expressing himself in extraordinary ways.

Richard starts the show with an interview with playwright Jamaica Zuanetti about her show Thigh Gap, which is showing at La Mama. It is a dark comedy for, by and about millenial women.

Next up we hear from Matt Lutton regarding the Malthouse 2020 program. In their 30th year Malthouse have created a program that encapsulates the very DNA of the Malthouse, and celebrates local artists.

Richard then talks to Dancehouse artistic director Angela Coquet and dancer and choreographer Jozsef Trefeli about their new show Swiss Style. This show is looking at Geneva-based contemporary dance, within the context of rising national identitarianism and a multicultural Geneva.

Finally Richard interviews Kurt Kansley who is a cast member of the new theatre production Ragtime, which will be showing at the Arts Centre. This play is based on "the great American novel" by E. L Doctorow. It's set at the dawn of a new century when a golden age of optimism was gripping America, and everything seemed possible.

Richard talks to Simon Abrahams, the creative director & CEO of Melbourne Fringe. The Fringe has set up a new home called Common Rooms at Trades Hall where they will be running productions throughout the year. He hopes the shows will capture The Fringe's feeling of rebellion, inclusivity and support of independent arts.

Next Richard talks to playwright, director, performer and producer Rebecca Lister about her new work 2:20AM. The play covers the sensitive topic of suicide from the perspective of four people who have come together for a creative writing course. It's based off of Rebecca's experiences as a social worker, arts worker and a person who has been bereaved by a suicide. It has been created in association with Support After Suicide, SANE Australia and Jesuit Social Services and it will be having a metropolitan and regional tour in areas around Victoria that are particularly effected by suicide. If this interview brings up any issues you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Finally Richard talks to director Shareena Clanton and cast member Corey Saylor-Brunskill about their upcoming theatre production Conversations With The Dead. This is a work by Richard Frankland about his experiences working on the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The work is put on by Ilbijerri Ensemble and is a part of Future Echoes, which is a new initiative by the Arts Centre Melbourne to put on works by young artists.

Richard talks to Petra Kalive about her new musical theatre work, which is an adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic My Brilliant Career. The production will involve a core cast of professionals with students in supporting roles, and will be showing at Monash University's Alexander Theatre.

Next Richard speaks to Stewart Laing who's the director of The End of Eddy, which will be showing at the Malthouse Theatre. This work centres around the experiences of a gay teenage boy in a small community in the north of France. The work has been aimed at a teenage audience in the hope of reaching out to people experiencing similar issues.

Richard then speaks to Antony Hamilton artistic director of the contemporary dance company Chunky Move regarding his work Token Armies, which will be showing at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. The work aims to push the boundaries of contemporary dance and explore how the biological world intersects with a world that is constructed. Richard describes Chunky Move's work as "innovative, engaging and exciting."

Finally Richard talks to Mama Alto regarding the work Gender Euphoria, which is a celebration of gender identitiy. This work will be performed as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival at the Famous Spiegeltent.

Richard talks to mentalist Scott Silven about his new shows 'At the Illusionist’s Table' and 'Wonders' which are showing as a part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Scott works with audiences to delve into the world of imagination.

The next interview is with artists Bruce Gladwin and Scott Price about their theatre production 'The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes' which is also showing at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. This is a challenging but important work discussing the use of people with disabilities as slave labour.

Richard talks to Sally Foster who is curator of International Prints, Drawings and Illustrated Books at the National Gallery of Australia about a new exhibition of David Hockney's work which will be showing at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. She describes David Hockney as a magnetic character who never shied away from anything.

This week on SmartArts Richard conducts three interviews

Richard talks to Matthew Stanton and Abigail Varney about their exhibition 23° and Risingwhich is showing at the Centre for Contemporary Photography
Richard talks to Anne Ekenes who is the CEO and Artistic Director of Panta Rei Danseteater regarding the works I Wish Her Welland Lullaby which are showing at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre
Richard talks to Fiona Sweet who is the creative director of the Ballarat Foto Biennale

Richard conducts three interviews.

Richard talks to Nicole Beyer of Theatre Network Australia about the Australia Council funding decision and the small- to medium-sized arts organisations that will miss out on funding.
Richard talks to Simon Abrahams, the creative director and CEO of Melbourne Fringe, about some of the exciting events in this year's festival.
Richard talks to writer Daniel Keene and director Beng Oh about Wild Cherries, a show about modern slavery that's coming up at La Mama Theatre.

Richard talks to Ciaran Begley and James Nguyen about their show Hell is Other People which is showing at Gertrude Contemporary
Interview with Steven Mitchell Wright and Alexandra Hines about their new show Let Men Tremble by the Danger Ensemble. Steven is the Company Artistic Director for Danger Ensemble and Director of the work. Alexandra is a member of the ensemble. Let Men Tremble is showing at Theatre Works.
Richard talks to playwright Anchuli Felicia King about her new show Golden Shield, put on with MTC

Richard and Bernard Caleo discuss comics in their monthly Drawn Out comics segment.

Richard talks to Director Briony Dunn and actor Caroline Lee about the play 'night, Mother, which is showing at Chapel Off Chapel. This discussion centres on the topic of suicide. If this brings up any issues for you, please ring Lifeline on 13 11 14. This segment runs from 12:02 until 26:38.

Richard interviews Tilly Boleyn, the Curator of Disposable,an exhibition that talks about waste using a combination of art and science. Disposable is presented by the Science Gallery.

Richard conducts three interviews:

1. Galit Klas, about her show 'The Ghetto Cabaret'

2. Kirsten Siddle and Danielle Harvey about their interactive performance 'A Midnight Visit'

3. Nicki Greenberg about her new kid's book 'Bitsy'

Richard conducts three interviews

CEO Bianca Bowman and Creative Producer Molly Braddon from Gertrude Street Projection Festival
Jonathan Holloway the artistic director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival
James Evans, the director of 'Much Ado About Nothing,' which is being put on by the Bell Shakespeare Company

Richard chats to choreographer Nick Power, and dancers Erak Mith and Aaron Lim, about their show Between Tiny Cities. Curator Sophia Cai and artist James Nguyen talk about the exhibition For Love Or Money. Also, Broadway Director Christopher Ashley and Musical Director Luke Hunter talk about the musical Come From Away.

Three interviews:

David Berthold regarding the Brisbane Festival.

JOF and Emily Tomlins on their new show 'The Cabin!', a theatre production written by children to scare adults.

Cat Hope regarding 'Sub-Decorative Sequences', which is a combined sound art show at Linden New Art that responds to the architecture of the building.

This week Richard’s guest include Co-Artistic Director and performer Francis Italiano. Ambera Wellman and Max Dellany on Vulnerability and Doubt. Followed artistic director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre, David Grieg, the playwright who adapted Solaris for the stage.

Richard chats to Alice Lee Holland, Artistic Director of the Australian Youth Dance Festival, about how young people are expressing themselves through the interactive physical art of dance. Circus Oz Artistic Director Rob Tannion drops by the studio with Kane Peterson, a performer with smaller, independent circus group Company 2, to talk about their new collaborative high-wire show Wunderage. Acclaimed Soprano Ali McGregor joins Richard to talk about Opera Victoria's production of A Little Night Music, one of Steven Sondheim's most beloved musicals, and the complexity of its characters and musical arrangements.

This week on Smart Arts, curator Vipoo Srivilasa joins Richard in the studio to discuss Un-Thaid; an exhibition of work by Thai-Australian artists at Grau Projekt. Playwright Tom Holloway and Associate Director and Puppet Designer David Morton call into the studio to discuss the challenges of bringing the classic Australian story, Storm Boy, and its famous pelicans to life on stage. And Richard chats to Curator Lisa Sullivan about Geelong Gallery's current exhibition The Moon.

This week's guests include Bernard Caleo talking about 'Drawn Out' and all things comic books and graphic novels. Writer Samah Sabawi discusses the brand new play 'Them' at La Mama, and NGV’s Senior Curator Asian Art, Wayne Crothers joins Richard to talk about this year's Melbourne masterpieces.

This week, Javaad Alipoor the creator of the work The Believers Are But Brothers, provides his insights on how young men are radicalised online. Director Thomas M Wright joins Richard to discuss his debut feature film, Acute Misfortune. Lastly, Arts Centre Melbourne Director Edwina Lunn and performer Candy Bowers stop by to talk about Big World, Up Close a curated series of theatre works.

This week Richard is first joined in the studio with Patricia Cornelius and Susie Dee to discuss their double bill of plays. Next up, actors Chris Ryan and Mike McLeish swing by to talk about Lazarus, a musical like no other. Followed by Andrew Pogson, MSO’s special projects manager talking about their latest project, Casino Royale in concert.

This week Richard is first joined by Nicole Beyer for an interesting chat about the arts policy election. Followed by David Finningan, discussing his show You're Safe Til 2024 as part of the ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE Festival. Wrapping up the show with dancer and choreographer Sue Healey, talking about her upcoming show Body, and her experience working with students at the VCA.

This week, Richard sits down with MUMA's Senior Curator Hannah Mathews, and artists Will Foster and Gabrielle de Vietri to chat about Shapes of Knowledge;Laura Milke-Garner and Eleanor Howlett pop by to spruik Producing Like a Pro workshop during the Gasworks Cabaret Project, andDirector John Kachoyan alongside producer/cast member Dylan Watson talk abour Mr Burns, a post-electric play.

This week, Richard is joined by Director Mark Wilson to chat about Sweet Phoebe on at Red Stitch Theatre, Artist Simon Terrill pops by to talk about CCP's newest exhibition: major photographic survey of Crowd Theory, and ACMI curator Fiona Trigg chats about The Clock installation at ACMI.

This week, Richard chats all things Womens Circus with executive director Devon Taylor and Penelope Bartlau, a collaboration between Heide and the Immigration Museum curated by Brooke Babington and Moya McFadzean respectively titled Love;Lana Schwartz and Colin Scott join Richard to talk about the newest exhibition space Long Space.

This week, Richard gets a rundown of the MTC's 2019 program from coordinator Brett Sheehy, acclaimed artist Patricia Piccinini chats about her exhibition at TarraWarra gallery: Patricia Piccinini and Joy Hester: Through love ;Artist Juan Ford talks all things Obsession: Devil in the detail at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery

Richard is joined this week by co Artistic Directors Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield from Adelaide Festival, Speak Percussion artistic director Eugene Ughetti chats about their creation and composition of the music and idea behind Polar force, and pianist, composer and producer Rose Reibl chats about their program on at Melbourne Music Week, Your Hearts So Hot O Sister: Antigone Reimagined.

This week, Richard is joined by Rachel Perks and Bridget Balodis to chat aboutMoral Panic, Team Leader Arts and Cultural DevelopmentTrevorMatthews alongside artist Mirwais Janbaz chat about the City of Greater Dandenongs annual exhibition, HOME; Artistic director Wendy martin joins us on the phone to chat about her final hosting of Perth Festival.

This week, Richard sits down with proprietor Jason Cavanaugh, on the new multi purpose art space The Motley Bauhaus,Director and Company Artistic Director Steven Mitchell Wright alongside Performer and Ensemble Member Katrina Cornwell pop in to chat about The Hamlet Apocalypse at Theatre Works; Gay and Trans diverseTilde festival's Creative Director, Louise Malcolm stops by and Ben Grant from La Mama Courthouse comes in to chat about The Rug.

This week Richard is joined byOtto & Astrid for Circus Oz: Rock Bang, Wesley Enoch chats about Sydney Festival's 2019 program, and actor Max Gillies alongside director Laurence Strangio discuss Samuel Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape.

This week, Richard is joined by Matt Lutton to chat about Malthouse Theatre's 2019 season, Melbourne International Arts Festival dancerRauf Yasit talks about the uniquely peaceful A Quiet Evening of Dance, and co-director Ching Ching Ho alongside author Gabrielle Wang, talk about the novel brought to life, A Ghost In My Suitcase.

This week Richard chats to artist, taxidermist and jeweller Julia deVille about their solo exhibition Wholeness and the Implicate Order,Alicia Sometimesdigresses about their fascination with science with their show Particle/Wave on at Melbourne International Arts Festival; Monash University student creator Michelle Robertson discusses accessibility with FIGMENT at Monash Performing Arts Centre,Rawcus Artistic Director Kate Sulan talks about the MIAF show Song for a Weary Throat;Stephen Nicolazzo wraps things up with Suddenly Last Summer, displayed by Red Stitch Theatre.

This week, Richard is joined by Alec Reid alongside Artistic Associate and new Executive co-Producer Dan Mitchell to chat about Due West Arts Festival,Abbie Madden from My Sight Their Sight Blindful and Imogen Stone from Laser Kiwion at Circus Oz - Sidesault, and finally Candice Edmonds on the phone to chat aboutFlight,on at the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

This week, Richard is joined by Archibald Prize winner Yvette Coppersmith, Creative director of Lexicon Firenza Guidi and company join us prior to their launch at Melbourne International Arts Festival, and Jessie Boylan chats about her upcoming gallery Rupture, on at Bendigo Art Gallery.

This week, Richard chats to Creative Director Simon Abrahams for a Fringe Festival overview, Rose Hiscock explains all things science for Perfection: on at the Science Gallery;Sasha Grishin spruiks the National Gallery's latest exhibit, Baldessin/Whiteley.

This week, Richard chats to the delightful Liz Skitch about her play Mothermorphosis at La Mama Theatre,Jakop Ahlbom re-defines the limittions of horror in Horroron at the Arts Centre, and Blasted cast membersEloise Mignon and David Woods pop by.

This week, Richard has the pleasure of chatting to She Said Theatre Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director Penny Harpham about their newest release Fallen, David Coles chats about his book Chromatopia: A History of Colour, and Sayraphim Lothian's pops by to spruik's her first book; Guerrilla Kindness and Other Acts of Creative Resistance: Making A Better World Through Craftivism.

This week, Richard chats to Gabrielle de Vietri about improving artist's working conditions via Artslog, Producer Phillipa Bateman talks about the new ACMI commission The Beehive: Who killed Juanita Neilsen; and writer Helen Hopkins alongside co-writer and performerCarolyn Block join us to chat about La Mama's latest show, Hallowed Ground.

Richard dives in with a Melbourne Festival program overview with Jonathan Holloway, Playwright Emilie Collyer and cast member Emily Tomlinschat about Contest, playing at Northcote Town Hall; and Director of SPRING 1883Kate Berberjoins Richard for a look into Windsor's 4 years young art fair.

This week, Richard catches up withBernard Caleofor their fortnightly segmentDrawn out,Francois Pelinard LambertandKristy Mathesonchat about ACMI's upcoming seriesMania,andAlaine Beek joins us on the phone to spruikPoint of No Return.

This week Richard catches up with Fleur Kilpatrick for Shoot the Messenger, Wintersweet's own James Welshby from Yummy stops by and ACCA curator Hannah Presley chats about the featured exhibition A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness.

This week Richard is joined by Lydia Fairhall, Executive Producer at ILBIJERRI (and also half of the folk/pop duo TigerLily) regarding the Victorian government's major new First Nations arts funding announcement, Ash Flanders and Dalara Williams from Blackie Blackie Brown (at The Malthouse) stop by;Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival David Berthold jumps on the phone and ACM's Robyn Archer chats about her new theatrical work, 'Dancing on the Volcano'.

This week Richard is joined by Executive Producer Sue Maslin regarding the Cinema Nova screening of JILL BILCOCK: DANCING THE INVISIBLE, Justin Shoulder pops in to chat about the Arts House lates exhibition Carrion, andJohn Cameron Mitchell joins us on the line to talk about The Origin of Love: The Songs & Stories of Hedwig.

This week Richard chats to Will Larnach-Jones regarding his book 50 Queer Music Icons Who Changed the World; the Hon. Martin Foley MP Minister for Creative Industries joins us on the line to talk about the upcoming arts precinct overhaul, and Zebastian Hunter, Co-Director (NICA Performance Coordinator) and Simon Dow pops by as Co-Director of NICA's Le Sacr, a collaboration with The Australian Ballet School.

Richard chats to Hoda Afshar ahead of their exhibition Behold at the Mars Gallery,Artistic Director Cal Robinson-Taylor and cast member Melina Wylie spruik Beautiful Thing by North By South Theatre Company; and finallysenior curator of International Exhibition Project Miranda Wallace joins us to chat about theopening of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Richard is joined by Artistic Director of La Mama Theatre Liz Jones, with an update on the situation following the fire last weekend; Set and costume designerEugyeene Teh as well as lighting tech Katie Sfetkidis of The Nightingale And The Rose stop by, andMarieke Hardy come in for the Melbourne Writers Festival event The Book of Fete: Chapter Four.

Richard kicks off this week with Shoot the Messenger alongside Fleur Kilpatrick,Co-creators Olivia Tartaglia and Alex Tate chat about Bureau of Metroanxiety at Next Wave, andPolyglot Artistic Director Sue Giles joins us to talk about the company's 40th anniversary alongside her recent Green Room lifetime Achievement award.

This week Richard is joined byPaul Anthony Nelson and Perri Cummings to talk about a new detective comedy filmTrench,After Dark Theatre Artistic Director and Performer Frank Minniti and performer Simon Storey to chat about their play Society on at the Melba Spiegeltent; Playwright Angus Cerini presents The Bleeding Tree on at the Arts Centre, and CEO of Hellenic Museum John Tatlouisand alongside community activist Renata Singer about the Multicultural museums new joint project, Grandmothers.

Richard is joined by Matthew Adey to chat about House of Unholy, Curator of Pink Frost Charlotte Watson pops by to chat all things Tinning Street and Actor Virginia Gay and director John Sheedy talk up their new film Mrs McCutcheon, screening at St Kilda Film Festival.

Richard kicks off this week's podcast with some Art Attack with regulars Tai Snaith and Ace Wagstaff -Carla Donnelly comes in to chat about their Across the Aisle podcast; CatherineMcClements and Johnny Carrspruik Bell Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra.

This week Richard is joined by Jodee Mundy to talk about her coming show Personal, company owner and choreographerStephanie Lake chats all things Replica and Curator Jon Buckingham pops by to talkChaos & Order 120 years of collecting at RMIT.

This week, Richard sits down wiht Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial Directors Kent Wilson and Clare Needham, Graeme Dale and cast member Harriet Robertson discuss Flash Donahs atLa Mama Theatre, andSerap Osman talks about Hands All Over now playing at Fortyfive Downstairs.

This week, Richard joins Zoe Coombs-Marr to talk about her Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Bossy Bottom,Stieg Persson talks about their The Ian Potter Museum of Art presentation Stieg Persson: Polyphonic, andCreative Director Fez Fanaana chats about Briefs and their shows as part of MICF.

This week, Richard is joined by Playwright Jane Thompson for their playFierce, artistBindi Cole Chocka and curator Myles Russell-Cook talk about Colony a depiction of Australia during the Frontier Wars andEsther Hannaford chats all things Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

This week, Richard joins Lara Nicholls to chat about Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Red Snitch's own Lachlan Philpott and director Alyson Campbel pop in to discussColder; Georgie Meagher and Creative Producer Erica McCalman join Richard to give an overview of Next Wave andDr Carnesky caps it all off by spruiking Incredible Bleeding Woman at The Butterfly Club.

This week Richard is joined in studio by Play On: The Art of Sport'sCurator Jacqueline Doughty in celebration of 10 years of the Basil Sellers Art Prize, Alison Croggon and Robert Reid chat about the launch of arts journalism websiteWitness Performancelaunch; Program DirectorSpiro Economopoulos spruiksthis years' Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

This week, Richard is joined by one ofA Little night Music's lead actorsEddie Muliaumasealii, Megan Beckwith of Parallax 3D dance work, and Tarrawarra Museum of Arts Director Victoria Lynn pops by to chat about paralleled exhibitions Hilarie Mais and Modern Currents.

This week Richard is joined by Khalid Warsame, lead producer for Footscray Community Arts Centre working on Festival of Live Art projects, Sarah Goodes pops by to chat about Malthouse Theatre Companys The Children; William Yang discusses visual production held at Wyndham Cultural centre The Story Only I Can Tell, andproducer Jo Porter chats with Richard on the phone about what's going on in the Regional Centre for Culture this year.

This week Richard is joined by Bernard Caleo for Draw Out,Co-creators Brodie John and Marissa Bennett chat about a new Butterfly Club show Burlesque By Force;Rory ONeill (aka Panti Bliss) pops in to talk about RIOT at Arts Centre Melbourne and finallycomposer, artist and curator Lawrence English chats to Richard about Loyalty Does Not end with Death - a Genesis P. Orridge exhibition at The Substation.

This week Richard is joined by Australian Theatre for Young People's assistant director Fraser Corfield, Heather Croall of Adelaide Fringe, and Performer Brian Lucas of Midsumma's De Profundis.

Richard sits in with Blak-Queer Futurism (at Midsumma) curator Alec Read,White Face Crew Co-Founder and cast member Jarod Rawiri for La Vie Dans Une Marionette (Life In A Puppet) at the Arts Centre Melbourne, and Ella Caldwell pops in to chat all things Red Stitch Theatre for their 2018 program.

Richard is back for another year of Smart Arts; Fleur Kilpatrick kicks back in another episode ofShoot the Messenger; Director and co-founderPete Keen pops by to spruikVIA ALICE at Sugar Mountain and Tessa Waters, Victoria Falconer and Rowena Hutsonaka ofFringe Wives Club fame come in to invite us along to their launch party at Melba Spiegeltent.

As Richard's final podcast for the year - Daniel Santangeli pops in for the Midsumma review; Kate Champion spiruks the NICA students exhibit Please hold; Eva Seymour and Morgan Rose chat about Red Stitch Theatre's newest work Desert, and Fleur Kilpatrick chats to Richard on the phone about the year's highlights from Shoot the Messenger.

Festival director Wesley Enoch joins Richard to chat about the 2018 Sydney Festival program; Artist Liza McCosh pops by to talk about the abstract work Liminal at 45 Downstairs, and performer Faustina Agolley talks about their debut in MTCs The Father.

Richard sits down with Jenny Watson to discussThe Fabric of Fantasy exhibition on atHeide III: Central Galleries;Festival Director Nicholas Maksymow and Karen Shakhnazarov (Director of Opening Night Film ANNA KARENINA: VRONSKYS STORY) pop by to chat about the Russian Resurrection Film Festival.

Tom Middleditch caps off today's podcast with a look at Alexithymia showing at the Poppy Seed Festival, presented byCitizen Theatre & A_tistic.

Richard is joined by artistic director of the Malthouse Theatre Matt Lutton to chat about the MTC's 2018 season,Jarred Dewey and Antonella Casella of Party Ghost Poached Eggs & Asparagus and discuss Circus Oz Sidesault at The Melba Spiegeltent; and art meets technology as Tiffaney Bishop from Artist Run Initiative tbC explains: The Art of Conversation at 45 Downstairs.

This week, Richard is joined on the line by Adelaide festival's own artistic directors Neil Armfield and Rachel Healey; Andrew Goddard pops by for an in-depth chat aboutSoundings, an RMIT sound arts students exhibition at Bus Projects - and Matthew Holmes caps off the podcast with his new work The Legend of Ben Hall.

On this Melbourne Festival special,Richard sits down with the director of Cambodian Living Arts, Phloeun Prim to chat about the historically resonant A Requiem for Cambodia: Bangsokol; All the Sex Ive Ever Had's Co-Director Alice Flemming and cast member Bea pop in, andPhillip Adams mysteriously lifts the curtain on his musical/playEVER.

Richard sits down with producer of Melbourne music festival participantGerminalMarine Thevenet, co-creators of The book of exodus part ll Adena Jacobs and Aaron Orzech, ending with a look at the old Melbourne Gaol inThe Ballad of Reading Gaol,accompanied byperformer Marco Lorenzio and director Alice XXX.

Richard jumps on the phone with Backbone director Darcy Grant, Nadja Kostich pops by for another visit to chat aboutFor the ones who walk awayby St Martins; Kanen Breen and Phoebe Brigs stop by to chat about the Malthouse Theatre and Victorian Opera's latest ventureThe Black Rider.

Richard is joined by Simon Maidment from the NGVA about their new workGareth Sansom: Transformer,Perth centred Fringe performers Mark Storen and Georgia King in the workThe One;and finally Flying Fruit Fly Circus artistic director Jodie Farrugia chats aboutJunk showing at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.

Richard chats to Christian Leavesley and Lee Casey about Arena Theatre Company's resurgence from the ashes, Fringe festival gets a once over with writer/director Patrick Mcarthy and performer Emily Tomlins chatting about The Sky is Well; the delightful Jonathan Homsey (Ausdance Victoria) pops in for Dancing on the radio, to chat about the National Dance Forum & Awards season.

Richard is joined once again by comic book aficionadoBernard Caleoto chat all things relating to the graphic novella, Curator of All that is solid...and director of Tarrawarra museum of artVictoria Lynnpops inand Joel Brayannounces his exciting debut work;a dance/performance hybrid titledBiladurang.

This week on Smart Arts, Richard sits down with Director Gary Abrahams and cast member Grant Cartwright to chat about their adaptation of this two part productionAngels in America: a gay fantasia on national themes,CEO of Melbourne Fringe festival Simon Abrahamsand writer/director Francis Lee to chat about film God's own Country,now showing at selected cinemas.

This week, Richard Watts sprukes the Australian Ballet's "Symphony in C" playing at ACM's State Theatrewith dancers and choreographers Alice Topp and Richard House, Rollercoaster Theatre company's Artistic director Sarah Sutherland and David Baker chat about their debut musical'Fish' on at Melba Spiegeltent and Curator Juliette Hanson about"Borderlines",a gallery celebrating the Indigenous Australian artwork focusing on Central Australia, now showing at Domain house in South Yarra.

This week on Smart Arts withRichard Watts,Jacqueline Doughtycame in to chat aboutThe Score at the Ian Potter Museum of Art. ChoreographerStephanie Lake came in to talk about contemporary dance piecePile of Bones at Arts House, and DirectorNic Holas andElbow Room co-Artistic Director, Creator and Performer Emily Tomlins chatted aboutNiche coming up at Northcote Town Hall.

Richard is joined by comic book lover Bernard Caleo to talk all things comics, Melbourne University's Susan Millard to chat about the upcoming 'Art on the page' at the Noel Shaw gallery, capping things off with Executive director Julia Overton about the Melbourne International Film Festival documentary 'Namatjira Project'.

Richard Watts is joined byGarry Stewart from Adelaides Australian Dance Theatre for 'Be Your Self', followed by Visual artist Fiona Sweet to discuss Ballarat's Internationale Foto Biennale.

Regular guest Jonathan Holloway pops by to chat about the Melbourne festival, finishing with praise for 'Merciless Gods' joined in studio by Stephen Nicolazzo and Dan Giovannoni.

Richard sits down with Rehgan De Mather to chat about the recent 45 downstairs work titled 'Art, Life, Love, Death, Immortality and a Respectable Haircut', Perri Cummings to dissect 'The Association: A Secret Meeting For Women, By Women' and finally director Karen Therese and performer (Afghan artist and asylum seeker) Mahdi Mohammadi re. 'Tribunal' at Arts House.

Richard is joined today by Brisbane Festival's own David Berthold, Black Hole Theatre's Director Nancy Black and writer/performer Alison Richards to chat about 'The Book of Revelations', finishing with the effervescent Roslyn Oades, Director of 'Hello, Goodbye and Happy Birthday'.

Richard Watts chats with Director and CEO of Melbourne Art foundation Maree di Pasqual about the new Melbourne art fair, Producer of the ACMI series 'Mania' Helen Simondson and polishes off the morning withQueensland Theatre Director Sam Strong and actor Chong Lee to chat about the co-production 'Noises off' presented in collaboration with MTC.

Richard sits down with Melbourne festival Artistic Director Jonathan Holloway for 'Tree of Codes, Artistic Director Angharard Wynne Jones for season 2 of Arts House and Tamblyn Lord to discuss his one man show Call of the Ice, playing at La Mama Courthouse Theatre.

Richard Watts is joined in this podcast by the Curator for VCA Dr. Elizabeth Gower and Artist Tai Snaith for VCA's 9x5 NOW, Chief theatre critic for the Age Cameron Woodhead discusses MTC's Macbeth, and Artistic director for the Australian ballet David McAllister chats about his rendition of the classic 'Sleeping beauty'.

This week on Smart Arts we are talking comic books Bernard Kellio, Dr Christopher Heathcote talksDiscovering Dobell. Sam Leach and Kylie Stillman about their upcoming exhibition, magicians Peter and Bambi Heaven on their show 'The Magic Inside'and Ben Ladendirector of 'Little Big Shots' film festival for kids.

Richard Watt's live broadcast from the National Gallery of Victoria's Van Gough exhibit. Interviews feature NGV senior curator Ted Gott, Dr. Anthony White discussing The myth of Troubled Genius and weekly guests for Art Attack, Ace Wagstaff and Tai Snaith.

Fraught Outfit's boldInnocence Trilogyhas its final installment realised in 2017. Split into two parts,Book of Exodus continues to focus on the identities of young people, the theatremakers again working with a cast of children and teenagers. Director and co-creatorAdena Jacobsand co-creator and dramaturgAaron Orzech join Richard to discuss the somewhat paradoxical process of working with ancient texts and young people.

Irish directorJohn Butler's latest film,Handsome Devil, is released this week in Australia. Richard speaks to the filmmaker about his coming-of-age film,which explores adolescent embarrassment, male friendship and courage in your own identity, and whether it's possible for a teenage boy to be passionate about sport and also be gay? (hint: it is.)

The Flinders Lane Gallery continues to host its series for emerging and unsigned visual artists,Exploration. Gallery Director and curator of the exhibitionClaire Harris, along with two of the featured artists,Holly PearceandRyan Pola, enter the studio to talk about the inspiration for the exhibition and the artists' work.

Combining the worlds of contemporary dance and competitive hip hop,Nick Power'sCyphertakes the rituals of the hip hop world and places them in a somewhat unfamiliar context. Nick joins Richard to talk about the development of the show and the culture of hip hop.

Spencertakes contemporary Australian suburbia and presents it back to us in a comedy of recognition about family and football.DirectorSharon Davisand actorJane Cliftondiscuss this lovingly crafted show by Katy Warner andthe speech patterns and vernacular of Australia - and do we really sound like that?

Charlotte Dayis the latest person to curate an exhibition for Arts Project Australia, promoting the artwork of people with an intellectual disability.Let's Danceis a celebration of movement in visual art and traces the history of dance and dancing through to its form today.

This week's podcast features the return of 'Drawn Out', our monthly comics segment withBernard Caleo. Bernard introduces us to new Australian indie comicEyes Too Dry by Jessica Tavassoli and Alice Chiplin, described as "a graphic memoir about heavy feelings". Richard and Bernard discuss old Doctor Who, new Flintstones andDark Hope Essence, the latest in the Dark Hope series with a story by Sabine Schmidt and illustrated by Philip Spinks.

Curator of the Monash Gallery of ArtStephen Zagalajoins Richard to talkUnder the sun:Reimagining Max Dupain's 'Sunbaker'. This 1930s imageiswidely recognised as iconic to Anglo-Australian culture and in this exhibition 15 contemporary Australian artists from diverse ages, gender and ethnic backgrounds are invited to respond to the photograph. The results are a mixture of sculpture, photography, abstract and faithful, examining the current culture of Australia in relation to this classic image.

It's almost time for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival again, and this year stalwart of Australian cabaretDolly Diamond is taking the reins as Artistic Director. Dolly joins Richard to give a preview of the wide girth of the festival this year, as well as her particular interests in cabaret as an art form. Fabulous!

The big news on the Melbourne art scene this week is the move of Gertrude Contemporary from Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, to High Street, Preston South, echoing the move of many artists and organisations over the past few years from the CBD's fringe to suburbs further out. Artistic DirectorMark Fearyis in the studio to discuss the reasons for the move, positives and negatives and the final exhibition at the original 200 Gertrude Street address,The End of Time. The Beginning of Time.

Awakeningis an adaptation of the 1891 German playSpring Awakening,dealing with issues of teenage sexual awakening and society's discomfort with it.Daniel Lamminwonders how a 130-year-old play is arguably more relevant than ever in 2017 and discusses themessage and intention of the production to contemporaryAustralian youth of all genders and orientations.

Yirramboi First Nations' Arts Festival opens May 5. One of the productions not to be missed isChasing Smoke, an offshoot of theBLAKflip masterclass program, encouraging Aboriginal andFirst Nations' people to get involved in circus arts.Davey Thompson (Circus Oz BLAKflip manager), Chasing SmokeDirector Natano Faanana and performer Lara Croydontalk the show's inception and theniche that Indigenous arts and circus occupy in this production.

Today's podcast starts with an 'Art Attack!' from Ace and Tai. This fortnight's top exhibition is Claire Lambe'sMother Holding Something Horrific, a sculpture and mixed media exhibition at ACCA.

Next up isPaul Capsis in the Broadway classicCabaret. Paul and Richard discuss the new production and its development, cast and crew and the relevance of this dark musical to contemporary society.

Red Stitch's latest production is Will Eno's The Realistic Joneses, and directorJulian Meyrick and actorElla Caldwelljoin Richard in the studio to talk about the themes of the show, Red Stitch's 2017 season and the theatre scene in Australia.

Glittery Clittery: A ConSENSUAL Partyclosesthis weekend - a sparkly, sex-positive, feminist cabaret/gameshow about women, culture and female anatomy.Tessa Waters, Rowena Hutson and Victoria Falconer-Pritchard from Fringe Wives Club join Richard to sing, laughand beat the patriarchy. Showing as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Independent theatre collective the Corinthian Food Store Collective are visiting Melbourne from Sydney with their unique and revolutionary showThis, This is Mine. This intimate story of personal history in space takes place in the living room of a home - someone's home.Director Duncan Ragg and performer Matilda Ridgwaydiscuss the process of developing and touring the show.

Ashley Crawfordhas just written a book about a photographer. Martin Kantor, who passed away in 2015, was widely recognised as a maverick of Australian photo portraiture. His work has been immortalised in Photo, written by Ashley Crawford and Richard Guilliat, launched at Brightspace. Ashley joins Richard to talk about Martin's history and character as an icon of Australian art.

Independent theatre company The Rabble take onJoan of Arc in their production,Joan. Co-creator Kate Davis and actor Luisa Hastings-Edgejoin Richard to discussthe process of devising an original take on a historical figure through a contemporary feminist lens.

The Ilbijerri Theatre Company delve into little-known Victorian history in a new adaptation ofCoranderrk, the story of a self-determined Aboriginal community in Healesville in the 1840s.Artistic Director Rachael Mazatalks with Richard aboutthe importance of telling this story and the extensive upcoming national tour.

Kieran Hodgsonused to think he could write a symphony. Now he's taken to the stage to imitate tortured symphonic genius Gustav Mahler in Maestro,where character comedy and classical music meet. Showing as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Anya Anastasia is an award-winning cabaret artist whose latest showRogue Romantic: Serenades from at Delinquent Divahas just kicked off at the new Melba Spiegeltent. Anya joins Richard to discussher show, its inspirations and just exactly whatis cabaret?

Yirramboi First Nations Arts Festival has just released its program, and Creative DirectorJacob Boehme is in to talk about this exciting, Indigenous-led arts initiative. Yirramboi (a Kulin word meaning 'Tomorrow') is firmly rooted in Kulin Nation tradition and embraces First Nations from around the world, while inviting all of the inhabitants of this country to experience the world's oldest continuing culture.

Finally, Triple R favourite Laura Dunemannhas a comedy festival show all about comfort.Flannelettefeatures Laura's musings on growing older and embracing the small joys of physical comfort.

Photographer Kristian Laemmle-Ruffjoins Richard to talk about his upcoming photographic/mixed media exhibitionMind The Gap.Centred around a photo of the infamous Pine Gap military base, the exhibition explores contemporary Australian issues and a look at the diversity of the Australian social, cultural and environmental landscape.

On the dance front, choreographerSandra Parkerand mixed media artistRhian Hinkleycome in to talk aboutSmall Details, in which the dancers interact with kinetic sculptures and explore the space, examining the body's vulnerability in an increasingly technological world.

Melbourne Queer Film FestivalProgram Manager Spiro Economopoulosrounds off the show, providing some insight into the festival's operations and programming and offering some highlights of this year's program, commencing March 16.

First up, The Women's Show, an annual exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women artists from across Australia, held at the Vivien Anderson Gallery. Gallery managerAmy Boydand Victorian indigenousartistMaree Clarkjoin Richard to discuss the exhibition, Maree's practice and issues of diversity and identity in Australian indigenous art.

The incomparableJudy Davis(most recently of The Dressmaker fame)is directing Brian Friels's Irish masterpiece,Faith Healer, as part of the MTC's season. Judy and Richard talk extensively about the show and its somewhat difficult themes of Irish identity, Judy's career and the film and theatre industries today.

Finally,Nicola Gunn'sPiece for Person and Ghetto Blaster is back as part of theDance Massivefestival. Nicola discusses the origins of the show and her ideas about its success, which all came as the result of a confrontation about a man and a duck.

Bernard Caleo joins Richard this week forDrawn Out, the monthly comics review segment. He introduces us toResist!,a womens' cartooning collection in response to the election of Donald Trump,The Banksia Project,a local comic mentoringinitiative for minority creators, andNaming Monsters, an eerie and haunting comic which is part of the growing graphic medicine movement.

Political Acts: Pioneers of Performance Art in Southeast Asia is an Arts Centre exhibition curated bySteven Tonkin. Steven talks about the process of curating the documentation of live performance for exhibition and issues surrounding political content in art. Political Acts is showing as part of AsiaTOPA.

Finally Sarah GoodesandUrsula Mills, from MTC's production of Annie Baker'sJohn, are in studio to discuss the show's writing style, feel and story.John is a present-day ghost story which juxtaposes the supernatural and the real, as a young couple visit Gettysburg, Pennsylvania amidst the collapseof their relationship.

This week, Richard is in studio with Pippa BaileyandAlex Galeazzi, senior producer and co-director respectively of the cross-cultural playThe Age of Bones. The Age of Bones(orJaman Belulang,its Indonesian name) is a collaboration between Australian and Indonesian theatre-makers as part of AsiaTOPA.Pippa and Alex discuss the origins of the story, navigating collaboration between cultures and the processes behind creating this performance of puppetry, politics and satire, creating a bridge between Indonesia and Australia.

Adam Simmons is in next to discuss the ultimate question, is art useful? His upcoming concert series, The Usefulness of Art,with the Creative Music Ensemble and Michael Kieran Harvey includes the Australian premiere of his Concerto for Piano and Toy Band,and today he speaks to Richard about the juxtaposition of play and practice, avant garde and tradition, toys and instruments.

Finally,Camilla Blunden joins Richard to discuss her new work,All This Living!,ashow about age, myth and women. Camilla talks about the issues surrounding age in society and the invisibility of women as they age, both in theatre and in daily life. This is Camilla's first major show as a solo writer, in which she tells the story of Jay, who wonders why she is gradually disappearing?

Richard speaks to the cast of a brand new Australian production,Lifetime Guarantee. Charles Purcell, Julian Dibley-Hall and Izabella Lena star in this satirical, modern-day comedy, written by Ross Mueller and directed by John Sheedy, dealing with issues of modern-day property development and our relationship to objects.Lifetime Guarantee is showing at Theatre Works in St Kilda from9th - 26th of February.

On the other end of the theatre spectrum, Humphrey Bower has developed a new, solo adaptation of Homer's TheIliad,aspart of Stork Theatre's Melbourne Homer Fest. The Rage of Achillesturns the focus to human tragedy within war, stripping back Homer's epic poem to the story of Achilles. Richard and Humphrey discuss questions of male rage, our attraction to war and the relevance of this ancient piece of literature to modern times.The Rage of Achilles is showing at La Mama Theatre from the 7th - 19th February.

Richard's final guest,Penny Byrne,is a sculptor and visual artist working with ceramics, among other things. Her upcoming exhibition,Brutal, uses reworked porcelain figurines to create new sculptures, dealing with contemporary global humanitarian issues. The result isconfronting yet familiar, with a sombre political commentary.Brutalis running at Linden New Art in St Kilda until the 8th of March.

Continuing Richard's exploration of the current Midsumma Festival program, this week's podcast features an interview with Tom Halls and Yvonne Virsik, whose production Sad Digger Mad Mary is showing at La Mama Theatre in Carlton. Sad Digger Mad Mary is a one-person show, presenting a man struggling with his return to society from the war, and the unlikely visitor who guides him out of his hermitude. Richard is also joined by the Director of the biennial Castlemaine State Festival, Martin Papen, discussing the significance of place and environment to Martin's final festival as Director. Wrapping up the podcast are performance artists Luke George and Daniel Kok, whose intriguingly titled show Bunny is a part of the much-hyped Asia TOPA festival. The 2-hour performance piece is described as "safe, sane and consensual", and this segment may leave you hanging out to seeBunny.

This week's podcast includes an in-depth discussion withJacob Boheme, the Artistic Director of the Yirramboi First Nations Festival, on the significanceof 26 January to the First Nations' people of Australia and the upcoming Yirramboi Festival in Melbourne.

Richard also speaks to Daniel Lammin about his upcoming production, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, showing during Midsumma Festival at the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute, and Artist Amy Spiers regarding the Miranda Must Gocampaign,aimed at de-mythologising one of Victoria's historical natural landmarks, Hanging Rock.

This week's podcast includes Fleur Kilpatrick's fortnightly theatre review 'Shoot The Messenger', as well as performers Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins giving you the low down on the new family oriented production of 'The Listies Ruined Xmas', which has a Richard Watts stamp of approval.

Also on the show is Angela Conquet on the return of the annual celebration of freedom and movement that is Dance Massive.

Enjoy!

This week sees another outstanding bunch of artists and performers and general creative minds in to the studio with Richard, as we gear up for the holiday season.

Firstly we have the multi-talented performer Josh Piterman whose latest role is in the musical theatre production known as 'The Last Five Years', running at 45Downstairs in December - sure to provoke some introspective thought for many young couples out there.

Secondly, a gripping interview about the struggles of free-thinking and sometimes dangerously expressive artists, with Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina and founder of the Belarus Free Theatre Company Natalia Kaliada. The pair are in Melbourne running their theatre production 'Burning Doors' at the Arts Centre.

And finally on a cheerier note to to round out the episode, Richard speaks with Melbourne artist Marcia Ferguson about the upcoming MoreArt Public Art Show in the City of Moreland.

Richard's first guest is the curator at the jaw-droppingly beautiful TarraWarra Museum of Art, one Julie Ewington, who came in to the studio to discuss, among other things, a new exhibition of metalwork sculpture by renowned Australian artist Bronwyn Oliver.

Secondly we have Mr Brett Sheehy on the upcoming 2017 theatrical season at MTC (it's a cracker) and last but certainly not least Richard is joined by a trio of guests including, in no particular order, Lisa Sullivan (curator at Geelong Gallery), Tully Moore (seasoned visual artist) and Chris Bond (also a seasoned visual artist). The subject matter at hand is the current exhibition at Geelong Gallery, 'Tricking the eyecontemporary trompe loeil' - a delightful journey in to optical illusions and visual play.

Richard's first guest this week is the Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the NGV, Simon Maidment, who will be providing insight in to the David Hockney exhibition entitled 'Current'. Current runs at NGV until March 2017.

Following that interview Richard is joined by none other than the legendary 'Uncle' Jack Charles, who has been offering the publican eye-opening window in to his intrepid history of crim-turned-creative with the highly acclaimed theatre tour of 'Jack Charles v The Crown'.

Last but not least Richard hosts Melbourne-based interdisciplinary performance artist Ashley Dyer, to discuss his latest provocative endeavour in 'Tremors'.

In the world of Melbourne theatre Richard talks to director Daniel Clarke about his new production 'Rust and Bone' running at La Mama, as well as theatre makers Rachel Dyson-McGregor and Mike McEvoy who's creation, entitled 'STRIVE', will be showing at the Richmond Theatrette on Church St.

In the purely visual realm Richard speaks with German artist Vera Moller (whose work is being displayed as part of the exhibition 'Human/Animal/Artist: Art Inspired by Animals' at McClelland Sculpture Park) and the park's director John Cunningham.

In this week's episode of Smart Arts, Richard chats with Wesley Enoch about his role in Sydney Festival 2017, as well as Rachel Healy who is the co-director of the Adelaide Festival 2017.

Also in the studio is the artistic director of the Poppy Seed Theatre Festival Phil Hayden, along with directors/creators Danny Delahunty and Anna Rodway whose plays 'Blessed' and 'Ladycake' respectively will be performed as part of the festival.

Guests include Melinda Martin, Michael Kluge, Alice Bishop, Ben Schuman and Gareth Hart

Guests include Susan Cooper, Jess Thom, Alexandre Hamel, Kathy Heyward and Oliver Cloke

This week's guests include Michael Vale, Brian Lipsom, Steven Armstrong & Kate Ben-Tovim

This weeks guests include Patricia Cornelius & Candy Bowers, choreographer Lucy Guerin, andFringe artists Kyle Davey & Stephanie Osztreicher.

This weeks episode sees Richard discussing all things Fringe with a range of festival participants including Hannah Cryle, Daniel Santangeli, Brigid Gallacher and Bronwyn Batten.

This week Richard talks with Jess Love about her new show for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Notorious Strumpet & Danger Girl

Then Kingston Arts Exhibition curator, Hannah Presley and Kingston Arts Visual Arts coordinator, Justin Gaynor talk about the new exhibition "I Never Painted My Dreams, I Painted My Reality"

Finally, the director of the Fringe show 'The Boardwalk Republic', Frank Minitti comes on the show with performers Anna Murray and Jonathan Morgan

Richard's guests this week include Nicola Gunn, Jo Lloyd and Melanie Lake of Chunky Move, Matt Lutton (artistic director, Malthouse Theatre) as well as Merilee Ross and Sarah Hamilton from the La Mama company.

This week's guests includeGina Lee, CEO of NotFair Art Foundation, director Justin Stephens andYaron Lifschit of Circa.

This weeks guests include artist Natasha Johns-Messenger (discussing her upcoming gallery show 'Sitelines: Natasha Johns-Messenger), Victoria Opera executive producerLibby Hill (on the upcoming Victoria Opera/Circus Oz collaboration 'Laughter and Tears') as well as choreographer Matthew Bourne talking about his involvement in the production of 'Lord of the Flies' showing at the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Richard explores the upcoming Melbourne Festival program with the festivals programmer Jonothan Holloway. Documentary film-maker Rohan Spong goes over his latest project entitled 'Winter at Westbeth', and the recently appointed director at ACCA, Max Delaney, stops by the studio for a chat.

This weeks podcast includes the regular Drawn Out segment featuring Bernard Caleo, as well as director Matthew Lutton and playwright Anthony Weig talking to Richard about their production of Edward II. Director Tanya Gerstle also stops by to discuss, among other things, her latest work through OpticNerve entitled "The Mill on the Floss".

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features artist Ella Whateley speaking about her exhibitionThe Metaphysics Of Space: Painting a Body of Light. Also Richard speaks to writer Zoe Dawson and director Declan Greene about their new play 'Conviction'. Creator Natasha Jynel stops by to discuss Auto Bio Queen: Based on the True Story of Beni Lola at The Butterfly Club.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features directorNatasha Broadstock and lead actor of Demens, Don Bridges. Also Richard speaks to artistic director of Playwriting Australia, Tim Roseman andactor Ray Chong Nee and director Peter Evans stop by to discuss Bell Shakespeare's Othello at The Arts Centre.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival David Berthold. Richard speaks with Annie and Maude Davey about their new show 'Retro Futurismus: New World' at Fortyfivedownstairs, and Senior Curator, Tim Fisher stops by to discuss The Arts Centre Melbourne exhibition 'Stage Presence - Design from the Australian Performing Arts Collection'

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. On today's show Richard speaks with shadow Arts Minister Mark Dreyfus, and Artistic Director of Darwin Festival Andrew Ross. Also LIVE from the Triple R Performance Space Richard talks with acclaimed Australian actor Colin Friels about his remarkable career and his latest play for Melbourne Theatre Company, David Hare's contemporary classic, 'Skylight'.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. On today's show Richard chats to artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theatre, Paul Lightfoot. The leader of The Arts Party, PJ Collins joins Richard on the line and Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Kelly Gellatly stops by to discuss 'Max & Olive: The Photographic Life of Olive Cotton & Max Dupain'.

This week Richard talks with the artistic director of Nederlands Dance Theatre, Paul Lightfoot

Then the leader of the The Arts Party, PJ Collins phones in to discuss policy and the election

Finally, the director of The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Kelly Gellatly, comes in to talk about the exhibition 'Max & Olive: The Photographic Life of Olive Cotton and Max Dupain'

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features director David Wynen and actor Liam Dodds discussing their production The Addams Family Musicalshowing at TheatreWorks. Also Greens MP Adam Bandt,discusses Arts Policy.Plus Tomer Heymann discusses his film Mr Gaga, showing at HotDocs Festival.

This week Richard talks to Artistic Director, Mike McLeish about the Melbourne Cabaret Festival

Then Director, Emily O'Brien-Brown and actor, Anna Burgess stop by to talk about the new Artefact Theatre Company and their show "Proof"

Finally Kim Kruger stops by to talk about being a co-curator for "The Lisa Bellear Picture Show" and her experiences with the subject of the show.

Interviews, news and reviews from across the arts. This week Richard talks to the director of the new stage show Double Indemnity, Sam Strong

Then Tony Smith stops by to talk about the Gasworks Circus Showdown

Finally, Sim Luttin from Arts Projects Australia comes in to talk about the collaboration with Linden New Art for the new exhibition, Wild Land.

Super exciting show this week, as Richard chats to Australian theatre icon Pamela Rabe about bringing her Helpmann Award-winning turn as Amanda Wingfield to The Malthouse. Chunky Move choreographer Anouk van Dijk & executive director Vanessa Pigrum talk about their upcoming piece Lucid, and director Sarah Giles and actors Candy Bowers & Hamish Michael discuss Melbourne Theatre Companys new satire Straight White Men.

Interviews and news, reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features curator Francis E Parker and artists Amy Spiers and Catherine Ryan discussing their exhibition Borders, Barriers and Walls at Monash Museum of Art. Writer Samah Sabawi and director Wahibe Moussa talk about the La Mama remount of Tales Of A City By The Sea. Plus director Dirk Hoult and actor Josh futcher talk about The Man Of Mode at Chapel Off Chapel.

interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's show features Playwright Hannie Rayson talking about performing stories from her acclaimed bookHello Beautiful! on stage at the Malthouse. Nic Clark CEO of the National Theatre St Kilda talks about their current line-up of amazing shows, and Richard takes a deep dive into the visual arts with Judy Watson talking about her upcoming exhibition The Scarifier.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Thisweek's program features fortyfivedownstairs Director Susie Dee& Playwright Patricia Cornelius talking 'Shit', new Circus OzCEO, Rob Tannion and lead actors, Mark Leonard Winter and ZahraNewman from Melbourne Theatre Company production, 'Miss Julie'.

Interviews, news and reviews from across the arts. Today's program features Artistic Director and CEO of La Mama, Liz Jones, discussing the book launch of Margaret Cameron's ' I Shudder To Think:Performance As Philosophy'. Co-creator of Australian National Theatre Live, Grant Dodwell, discusses Emerald City at the Lido Cinema and theatre director Beng Oh and playwright Jane Miller discuss 'The Yellow Wave'.

Interviews, news, and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's program features lead actor of Chapel Off Chapel's 'tick, tickBoom!' Luigi Lucente, Spanish Film Festival director, Genevieve Kelly, and Bell Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' director, Peter Evans and actor Alex Williams (Romeo).

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts.

Today's show features, Queer film festival 'He Hated Pigeons' director Ingrid veninger & musician Frankie Topaz.

Also featuring playwrights, Elise Heart and Andrea James discussing their Theatre Works production, 'Bright World' and Playwright Peter Fitzpatrick chats about new 'Chapel off Chapel' musical 'CROSSxRoads'.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's program features curator Margaret Kernich, and artists Hayley Scilini and Ignacio Roja, discussing 'ART-Town 2016' at Chapel St Precinct. Poppy Stockwell, Director of SCRUM, featuring at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and Laura Davis discussing 'Marco Polo' showing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

On this podcast of Smart Arts we have The Melbourne Queer Film Festival program manager Spiro Economopoulos followed by Ingrid Wood and two students, Tom Habal and Mahalia Kluwer from the NGV's annual "Start Up: Top Arts. Finally we talk to Hannah Gadsby - Dogmatic.

Interviews, news and reviews ranging from across the arts. Today's program features performance artist Penny Arcade discussing her new show 'Longing lasts Longer', the artistic director of New Wave Festival, Georgie Meagher, and actors Rosie Lockhart and Olivia Monticciolo speakingabout Abi Morgan's play 'Splendour'

Interviews, news and reviews ranging across the arts. Today's program features the artistic director of Melbourne Festival, Jonathan Holloway. UK performerClaire Cunningham chatsabout her Festival of Live Art show 'Give Me a Reason to Live', and choreographer Jonathan Homsey speaks with Richardabout 'Sanctuary', a performance diptych openingthis week at Testing Grounds.

SmartArts with Richard Watts 3rd September 2015

Malthouse Theatre's upcoming 2016 program - Matt Lutton, the new Artistic Director

http://malthousetheatre.com.au/

Art Attacksegment

TBC Theatre'sTender Napalm -Director Alice Darling & performer Trudi Boatwright

http://www.tbctheatre.com/tender-napalm.html

Adrienne Truscott's Asking For It: A One-Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy And Little Else

http://www.adriennetruscott.com/asking-for-it/

Bendigo International Exploratory Music Festival - conductor, singer, pianist and composer Eric Dudley

http://www.bifem.com.au/2015/Home

Black Art White Wallsat Burrinja Gallery - Curator JD Mittman

http://www.burrinja.org.au/burrinja-whats-on/whats-on-art/706-blackartwhitewalls

St Martins Youth Arts Centre'sI Saw The Second One Hit -Director Clare Watson

http://stmartinsyouth.com.au/

Kate McIntosh'sAll Earsat Arts House

https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ArtsHouse/Program/Pages/AllEars.aspx

SmartArts with 27th August 2015

Drawn Outsegment with Bernard Caleo

'Holding The Man' -Screenwriter Tommy Murphy & Director Neil Armfield

http://miff.com.au/program/film/centrepiece-gala-holding-the-man

Jo Lloyd - 'Confusion For Three'

http://www.jolloyd.com/

Ben Wrigley and Amber McCaig - Ballarat International Foto Biennale

http://ballaratfoto.org/

Lorne Arts Festival - Festival Director Monique Harvey

http://www.lorneartsfestival.com.au/

Field Collective 'Site Is Set' - Field Collective Co-Director Martyn Coutts & artist Zoe Scoglio, creator of MASS

http://fieldtheory.com.au/

Bangarra 'Lore' - Sheoak choreographerFrances Rings

http://bangarra.com.au/people/artists-in-residence/frances-rings

'The Weir' - MTC. Director Sam Strong & Actor Nadine Garnerhttp://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-weir/

http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-weir/http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-weir/

SmartArts with 13th August'TRANSCEND' - Jessi Lewis

'MONO - A Spectacle Of Meditations' - Director & Designer Matthew Adey

Israeli Film Festival - Festival Director Richard Moore http://www.aiceisraelifilmfestival.com/

Fleur Kilpatrick - Shoot the Messenger segment

'Sky Lab: Lines Of Sight & Forces Of Attraction'at Counihan Gallery - Curator Felicity Spear and artists Daniel Armstrong and Harry Nankin http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/events-recreation/arts-and-gallery/counihan-gallery-in-brunswick/counihan-gallery-exhibitions/sky-lab-exhibition-2015/

Frankston Anywhere Festival - Director Paul Osuch http://anywherefest.com/

Platform Youth Theatre residency at La Mama - Ensemble members Danae Crawford & Dominic Weintraub http://lamama.com.au/

Indian Film Festival - Festival co-director Bidyut Dumra http://www.iffm.com.au/

AFistful Of Celluloidfilm review segment by Cerise Howard

SmartArts with 6th August

Director Brodie Higgs - MIFF 'Elixirhttp://miff.com.au/program/film/elixir

Director Darren Vizer & cast member Kristina Benton -La Mama'Stars Of Track And Field'

http://lamama.com.au/2015-winter-program/stars-of-track-and-field-29-july-9-aug

Melbourne Festival director Josephine Ridge https://www.festival.melbourne/

'Conversations With The Gods About their Deaths And Other Matters'at 45 Downstairs - Written & Performed by James McCaughey http://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/

ArtistCameron Robbins speaking about the $90,000 public sculpture in Lilydale being commissioned by Creative Victoria http://creative.vic.gov.au/News/News/2015/Cameron_Robbins_Selected_For_Public_Sculpture

AFistful Of Celluloid film review segment by Cerise Howard

In order of appearance:

Claymation Filmmaker Adam Elliot Ernie Biscuit MIFF

http://miff.com.au/program/film/ernie-biscuit

Organiser Chantelle Winter West Projections 2015

http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/art/events/15188/west-projections-2015

Documentary Photographer Steve Winter National Geographic

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/steve-winter/

Short Films Programmer Thomas Caldwell Melbourne International Film Festival

http://miff.com.au/

Malcom Sanders Creative Recovery Training for Artists - Regional Arts Victoria

http://www.rav.net.au/whats-on/rav-events/creative-recovery-network-training

In order of appearance:

Tim Carney The Last Five Queers The Butterfly Club - Mid Winter Festival

http://www.weekendnotes.com/the-last-five-queers-midwinta-festival/

Artistic Director Matt Lutton and Actor Bert LaBonte I am a miracle Malthouse Theatre

http://malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/i-am-a-miracle

Performer Sarah Aiken Set Dance House

http://dancehouse.com.au/performance/performancedetails.php?id=204

Curators Lilliana Barbieri and Denise Keele-Bedford Thread Montsalvat

http://www.montsalvat.com.au/WhatsOn/EXHIBITIONnvyishuseries.aspx

In order of appearance:

Director Julian Merrick and Playwright Tom Holloway Dead Centre Sea Wall - Red Stich Actors Theatre

http://redstitch.net/gallery/dead-centre-sea-wall/

Off The Curb Gallery

http://www.offthekerb.com.au/

Loclan Mackenzie-Spencer and Andrew Strano The Songs of Mackenzie-Spencer Strano - Chapel off Chapel

http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/melbourne-comedy-theatre-art/category/melbourne-events/melbourne-cabaret/

Damian Callinan - The Lost World War One Diary

https://www.facebook.com/lostww1diary

Co-Founder Deborah Stahle Night Art

http://niteart.com.au/about/

Director Damien Ryan Hamlet Bell Shakespeare

https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/whats-on/hamlet/

Harrod Win Jones Arts House

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ArtsHouse/Pages/Default.aspx

Comedian Nazeem Hussain

http://yarravilleclub.com/nazeem-hussain/

In order of appearance:

Comedians Linda Haggar and Fahey Younger Miss Itchys Larvae Lounge The Butterfly Club

https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/miss-itchy-s-larvae-lounge

Artistic Director Ken McKenzie-Forbes West Side Story - The Production Company

http://www.theproductioncompany.com.au/west-side-story/

Playwright Jane Miller and Director Alice Bishop Cuckoo FortyFive Downstairs

http://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/events/cuckoo/

Co-Founder and Performer Emily Tomlins Co-Writer Rachel Perks We Get It Elbow Room

http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/neon-2015/we-get-it/

Festival Director Nikki Pastore - Gertrude Street Projection Festival

http://gspf.com.au/

Festival Director Steiner Ellingsen Melbourne Web Fest

http://www.melbournewebfest.com/

In order of appearance:

Artistic Director and Festival Director David Burton - Brisbane Festival

http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

Performer Lachlan Macleod Polyglot Theatre Boats

http://www.polyglot.org.au/polyglot-in-indonesia/

Norman Houghton - Feral Arts Free the Arts Campaign

https://visualarts.net.au/artist-files/2015/artists-heart/

Myles Tankle and Damien Harrison TBC Theatre Made in China

http://www.tbctheatre.com/made-in-china.html

Co-Curator Sarah Kriegler - Melbourne Festival of Puppetry

http://lamama.com.au/melbourne-festival-of-puppetry

Performers Joe Lui and Jamie Lewis Theatre Works Saltwater and Letters Home

http://www.theatreworks.org.au/

Performer Evelyn Krape More Female Parts Arts Centre Melbourne

http://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/theatre-drama/more-female-parts

Magician Nick Kesidis - Melbourne Magic Festival

http://melbournemagicfestival.com/

In order of appearance:

Comedian and Performer Lynn Ruth Miller Not Dead Yet - Cabaret Festival

http://www.melbournecabaret.com/the-shows/2015/6/24/get-a-grip

Artistic Director Andrew Ross - Darwin Festival 2015

http://www.darwinfestival.org.au/

Assistant Curator Eugenia Flynn Both Sides of The Street - Counihan Gallery

https://www.facebook.com/counihangalleryinbrunswick

Performer Natasha York These Things Wine Cabaret Festival

http://www.melbournecabaret.com/the-shows/2015/4/30/these-things-take-wine

Program Manager for Creative Spaces Program Eleni Arbis and Artist Nick Athanasou - The Dirty Dozen

Performer Vanessa ONeil In Search of Owen Roe La Mama Theatre

http://lamama.com.au/2015-autumn-program/in-search-of-owen-roe

In oder of appearance:

Composer Tom Henry 'Kakadu Man'

www.auschoir.org

Caroline Burns and Matt Hetherington 'North by North West'

www.mtc.com.au

Curator Cecilia Heffer and Artist Ilka White 'Group Exchange: The 2nd Tamworth Textile Trennial'

www.townhallgallery.com.au

Director/Producer Renee Palmer and Actor Adrienne Sloan 'I Am Katherine'

www.owlandcat.com.au

Dirty Pretty Theatre Director Garry Abrahams and Actor Simon Caulfield - The Lonely Wolf - MTC Neon Festival of Independent Theatre

http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/neon-2015/

In order of appearance:

Dancer Luke Marchant The Australian Ballet The Dream

https://www.australianballet.com.au/thedream

Festival Director David Reed - Melbourne Cabaret Festival

http://www.melbournecabaret.com/

Astor Theatre Manager Zak Hepburn Reopening of Astor Theatre

http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/events/astor/?gclid=CI-4i4vfgcYCFUNwvAodm6EANA

Artistic Director Ella Caldwell - Red Stitch Actors Theatre Love, Love, Love

http://redstitch.net/love-love-love-by-mike-bartlett/

In order of appearance:

Melbourne International Jazz Festival Artistic Director Michael Tortoni

http://melbournejazz.com/

La Mama Theatre Home Invasion Writer/Director Christopher Bryant

http://lamama.com.au/Home-Invasion-program-online.pdf

ACCA Read Only Artist Ryan Gander

https://www.accaonline.org.au/exhibition/ryan-gander-read-only

Shepparton Art Museum The Desktop Drawings - Artist Greg Creek

http://www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/greg-creek-news.html

Federation Square The Light in Winter Artist Chris Levine

http://www.fedsquare.com/umbrellas/the-light-in-winter

In order of appearance:

Febie Tromarama 'Open House: Tromarama for Kids'

www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Artistic Director and CEO of Dancehouse Angela Conquet 'Dancehouse 2015 Program'

www.dancehouse.com.au

Sol III Company Artistic Director Andrei Schiller-Chan 'The Exonderated'

www.chapeloffchapel.com.au

Artistic Director Tony Bonney 'Festival of Voices'

www.festivalofvoices.com

In order of appearance:

Bek Berger and Dan Koop 'Convergence' - indie artists' one-day summit

www.independentconverge.ce.wordpress.com

Martin Foley, Minister for Creative Industries and Louise Adler, Chair of the Creative Victoria Taskforce

www.creative.vic.gov.au

JD Ness, Director of Lou Ramsden's 'Breed'

www.owlandcat.com.au

Lesley Harding, Co-Creator '21st Century: The Collection since 2000'

www.heide.com.au

Shep Huntly 'World Sideshow Festival'

www.worldsideshowfestival.com

Performer Linda Catalano and Director Penelope Barlau 'One Suitcase: Four Stories'

http://www.northcotetownhall.com.au

Mitch Jones aka Captain Ruin 'The House of Invisible Strings'

www.facebook.com/PolytropicProductions

In order of appearance:

Tasdance - Artistic Director Annie Greig Luminous Flux

http://www.tasdance.com.au/artistic-director/

Phunktional Dance Theatre Company and ACMI - Artist Director - Gerard Veltre Calling The Shots

https://www.acmi.net.au/film/australian-perspectives/calling-the-shots/

Poppy Seed Festival - Festival Director Philip Hayden

http://poppyseed.net.au/

Bright, Shiny and Green Night - La Mama Director - Jane Woolard

http://lamama.com.au/2015-autumn-program/bright-shiny-and-green-night

In order of appearance:

Rafael Bonachela - Artistic Director - Sydney Dance Company

http://www.sydneydancecompany.com/

MKA Theatre of New Writing Neon Festival

http://www.mka.org.au/

Aaaron Walker and Meredith Kitchen PESCADO' - NICA

http://www.nica.com.au/

David Blumenstein - Comic Book Artist #takedown

www.nakedfella.com

Comedian Claire Sullivan and Director of The Butterfly Club Simone Pulga Herald Sun Bullying Comedians

https://www.thebutterflyclub.com/

Actor Steven Rooke Kelly QLD Theatre Company

http://www.queenslandtheatre.com.au/Touring/Kelly

Actress Piper Huynh Iago Western Edge Youth Arts Ensemble

http://www.westernedge.org.au/

Co-Founder Shona McCullagh NZ Dance Company

http://www.nzdc.org.nz/

Amaya Curtis and Anna Louise Richardson Human Rights Arts and Film Festival

http://2015.hraff.org.au/

On todays show, in order of appearance:

Felix Preval Producer of Festival and Artist Services- Melbourne Fringe Festival

http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/

Kieran Boland Artist Conflicted: Adversaries in Art

www.townhallgallery.com.au

Hallie Shellam Creator and Performer Is This Somewhere Youve Been Before?

www.metanoiatheatre.com

Peter Evans Co-Artistic Director Bell Shakespeare

www.bellshakespeare.com.au

In order of appearance:

Festival Program Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael

http://www.darkmofo.net.au/

Meme Girls Malthouse Theatre - Director and Co- Creator Stephen Nicolazzo and Co-Creator and Performer Ash Flanders

http://malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/meme-girls

Frisk - True North Arts Festival Producer and VCA Graduate Anna Kennedy

http://truenorthfestival.com.au/

Perverts Bernadette Byrne and Victor Victoria Melbourne International Comedy Festival

http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/perverts-eastend-cabaret

Ulumbarra Theatre Bendigo Development Manager David Stretch

http://www.ulumbarratheatre.com.au

Medieval Moderns NGV Curator Laurie Benson

https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Lady Sings It Better Maeve Marsdon and Libby Wood Melbourne International Comedy Festival

http://www.ladysingsitbetter.com/meet-ladies/

On todays show Richard had a chat to;

Dr Brown Befrdfgth (USA) Melbourne International Comedy Festival

https://www.facebook.com/drbrowncomedy

Dr Professor Neal Portenzas Catchy Show Title Melbourne International Comedy Festival

http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/catchy-show-title-dr-professor-neal-portenza-s

I am not a Unicorn - Emma J Hawkins Melbourne International Comedy Festival

http://www.atypicaltheatre.com.au/

City of Darebin Fest Festival Director Sia Furler

http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/en/Discover-Darebin/Events

New15 ACCA

https://www.accaonline.org.au/exhibition/new15

Mike Finch Artistic Director - Circus Oz

http://www.circusoz.com/

Featuring on todays show;

Earth and Sky TarraWarra Museum of Art Curator Hetti Perkins

http://www.twma.com.au/exhibition/john-mawurndjul-and-gulumbu-yunupingu-earth-and-sky/

The Real Good Film Fest School House Studios

http://schoolhousestudios.com.au

Dance Massive Wrap Up Jo and Gerard

http://dancemassive.com.au/

Calypso Nights Juan Vesuvius aka Barnie Duncan Melbourne International Comedy Festival

http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/calypso-nights-juan-vesuvius-in

Jonestown Guineapigs - Nicholas J Johnson and Sarah Jones

https://www.facebook.com/jonestowncomedy

On todays show Richard had a chat to Sean and Seamus from the Lords of Strut performance Chaos, he also had a chat to curators Juliette Hansen and Nilgun Goven about the exhibition Gelibolu: A Turkish-Australian Perspective on Gallipoli. He also had a chat to Shelley Lasica about the Dance Massive performance Solos For Other People. He also spoke to high-school students Ashleigh Newman (Mt Erin Secondary College) and Bonnie-Jane Mantz (Mullauna Secondary Scollege) about StArt Up: Top Arts 2015. He also had a chat to Maika Isogawa and Paul Matthew Lopez from the Spiegleworld production Absinthe and finally he had a chat to film director Dean Francis about the Melbourne Queer Film Festival production Drown.

To find out more information on todays guests please follow the links provided below (in order of appearance):

Chaos www.lordsofstrut.com

Solos For Other People www.dancehouse.com.au

StArtUp: Top Arts 2015 www.ngv.gov.au/exhibition/start-up

Absinthe www.spiegelworld.com

Drown - www.drownthemovie.com

On todays show Richard had a chat to artist David Porteus about his exhibition Im Here: Selfscapes of Solitude. He also had a hat to Director Kate Champion and Artistic AssociateKelli Jean Drinkwater about Force MajeuresNothing to Lose,he also spoke to St Martins Artistic Director Clare Watson about the performanceFitter. Better. Faster', he also spoke to Jess Rizzini about the exhibitionTo Exist is to Resist, he also spoke to Merrilee McCoy who is the organisiner of'Funy Babe Fest',and finally he spoke to Lucy Guerin about the dance productionMotion Pictureand Ibrahim Mustafa about Chapel off Chapels 20thbirthday celebrations.

To find our moreinformation about any of the interviews on todays show you can explore each of the listed websites (in order of appearance):

Im Here: Selfscapes of Solitude -www.trocaderoartspace.com.au

Nothing to Lose -www.malthousetheatre.com.au

Fitter. Better. Faster' -www.malthousetheatre.com.au'Funy Babe Fest' -https://www.thebutterflyclub.com/show/funnybabefest

Motion Picture -http://dancemassive.com.au/Chapel of Chapel -http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/

On this weeks show, Richard had a chat to the lovely Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, Artistic Director of the Alliance Franaise French Film Festival. He also spoke to Comedian Felicity Ward, about her show The Iceberg, Choreograher and Artistic Director Anouk Van Dijk about the Chunky Move Production Depth of Field, Curator Linda Short about the exhibition The Truth in Masquerade, Jesse Stevens from Cake Industries about the exhibition Street | Life, Director Sheryl Cardozo about the Vagina Monolouges and Vicki Van Hout about the production Long Grass.

In order of appearance:

Alliance Franaise French Film Festival www.affrenchfilmfestival.org

Depth of Field www.dancemassive.com.au

The Truth about Masquerade www.heide.com.au

The Vagina Monologues www.vdaymelbourne2015.com

On this weeks show, Richard has a has a chat to Director, Dean Bryant about his up-and-coming production 'Sweet Charity', he also has a chat to Geoffrey Bartlett about the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, and finally he has a chatto Artist, Jamie North about his exhibition 'Rock Melt'.

For more information about any of our guests on todays show you can head to:

Sweet Charity - www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery - www.mcclellandgallery.com

Rock Melt - www.ngv.vic.gov.au

On this weeks show Richard had a chat to Pierre Terdjman and Benjamin Girette, founders of #Dysturb, he also spoke to Chris Howlett, Vice Chair of 3MBS about the up-and-coming Brahms Marathon, Penelope Bartlau and Darius Kedros about Barking Spider Visual Theatre's Psychopomp & Seething, Arie Rain Glorie about the artist run festival Love/City and Lisa Daniel, Festival Director of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF).

In order of appearance:

Dysturb - www.photobookmelbourne.org

Brahms Marathon www.hawthornartscentre.com.au

Barking Spider Visual Theatre's Psychopomp & Seething www.lamama.com.au

Love/City www.lovecityfestival.com

MQFF www.mqff.com..au