'A Hole In The Ground' by Janet Brown and Joanne Ryan, published today by Australian Plays

 Absolutely delighted to announce that  'A Hole in the Ground,' co-written with my friend, Joanne Ryan, is now published by Australian Plays. This is the sixth play I have had published, and it was actually my very first play. Jo and I wrote it collaboratively.  The script was developed with dramaturg Peter Matheson and the MTC, directed by David Myles and staged in 2004 at La Mama Carlton Courthouse and Wyndham Cultural Centre. 

The project had an interesting genesis -   it grew out of our experiences working with our  community on the Werribee No Toxic Dump campaign in the late 1990s. Campaigning actually changes people, changes community and society, and that is what our play explores.  I kept on writing plays and books, and Jo moved into politics - she is the Federal Member for Lalor. It was such a wonderful experience collaborating on this project. We are so pleased to see it now published. 

https://australianplays.org/script/ASC-2300

'Dancing Into Freedom' - Heidi Giersch with Janet Brown, now published by Ginninderra Press

When Heidi Giersch asked me to write her memoir with her, I jumped at the opportunity. We are so pleased to announce 'Dancing Into Freedom' has just been published by award winning Ginninderra Press, and is now available. 

Heidi’s unique story of growing up in East Berlin, behind the Iron Curtain and in the shadow of the Berlin Wall,  begins the moment she was chosen to go to ballet school at ten years of age.  Eventually she performed with major East German dance companies. She shared with me her heartfelt recollections of family, life and her career in East Germany. Facing the challenges of the Cold War in that communist society, every person was under the surveillance of the Stasi regime which infiltrated all aspects of social and private life. 

Heidi's life changed forever in 1980 when she ran away after the final Sydney performance of the  prestigious Komische Oper Berlin Ballet Company's Australian tour. Following her defection, she made her home in  Melbourne where she still lives today.

 Dancing Into Freedom (paper back from Ginninderra Press)

or as an Amazon ebook 

THE HOPE SONG online film premieres today #WorldMentalHealthDay

Wonderful director Socratis Otto has released today the digital film version of my verbatim theatre project 'The Hope Song'. I am proud that so many people value and appreciate the shared experiences of the people who generously shared their insights with me. Socs has worked with such a talented cast of well known Australian actors, and you can watch this film version whenever it suits you. I hope you enjoy it.

Covid19 challenges people's mental health. You are not alone. Please reach out for help from Lifeline if this content raises any issues for you or your loved ones. LIFELINE 13 11 14

https://www.facebook.com/TheHopeSong/videos/786433168815577/

https://youtu.be/DSly6-bo_Ms

Director:Socratis Otto      Writer: Janet Brown

Cast: Luke Carroll, Di Smith, Richard Cotter,Mel Day, Emma Dalton, Chantelle Gardiner, Grant Lyndon, Socs Otto 

Music: Mia Morrissey and Leo Bosi 

Editor: Vicki Bobotis

Australian Plays to publish 'A Hole In the Ground'

Good news today from Australian Plays. They are going to publish 'A Hole in the Ground,' a play I co-wrote with my friend, Joanne Ryan, who is now the Federal Member for Lalor.  ‘A Hole In The Ground’ was our first play, and we were lucky - we sent an early draft as an unsolicited script to the MTC in 2000 where it was picked up by dramaturg Peter Matheson who mentored us until  it was staged in 2004 at La Mama Courthouse and Wyndham Cultural Centre, directed by David Myles. The project had an interesting genesis -   it grew out of our experiences working with our  community on the Werribee No Toxic Dump campaign in the late 1990s. The community fought the Kennett State Government and CSR – a real David and two Goliaths battle. Against all the odds, the community won. It was such a significant community activism campaign that it is still taught at universities today. We are now in a time of great protest movements - #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, Lock The Gate. Campaigning actually changes people, changes community and society, and that is what our play explores, illuminates and argues. 

I'll let you know when the script is available. Here's the poster from the original production.  

SurfCoast PORTAL Arts Festival

That was such a thoroughly interesting conversation! Meet my inspiring and very experienced guest panel who I enjoyed talking with about all sorts of things to do with theatre in and beyond the Victorian Surfcoast region. 

PORTAL presents: Theatre Matters Within and Beyond the Surf Coast

Award winning playwright Janet Brown in conversation with Janine McKenzie, Nicky Watson, Maryanne Doolan and Michael Baker.

 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=331923461511317&extid=zuHaaem3uE5OehgB

https://www.facebook.com/SurfCoastArtsTrail/videos/331923461511317/?t=61

Women Playwrights 12th International Conference, 2021 Montreal

NEWS: Due to Covid19, this Conference has been postponed until 2022. 

So pleased to announce that I have been invited to participate in the Writers' Playroom at next year's  2021 Women Playwrights 12th International Conference in Montreal. My play 'Buying Time' is one of the plays that has been selected from over 350 submissions. The theme of the conference is 'identity' and I am so proud to have this opportunity.

News from LOS ANGELES about The Hope Song! And Geelong Regional Libraries: fast five

7 May 2020: Tonight in California, director Jenny Novak Chun presented an excerpt of  The Hope Song, chosen as part of a Zoom reading in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. The reading was fabulous! All the actors involved were amazingly talented and brought wonderful aspects to each character. The reception was very positive...

And back here on the local front...

I love libraries! Here is a short interview just posted by Geelong Regional Library. I enjoyed talking to Simon for this 'Fast Five Podcast' with writers.  Have a listen to the other writers too - I am certainly in good company!

https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/virtual-events/adults/audio

'Where The Heart Is' published today by Australian Plays

What a strange time to have a play published that is called 'Where The Heart Is'! You can guess the missing word can't you? This play was first staged in 2016 by Skin Of Our Teeth, and directed by Cherie Rosler. My favourite line in this play is this:

Mother: ‘Normal. Do you have any idea how wonderful ‘normal’ is? How incredibly privileged we were to have ‘normal’?

Thank you Australian Plays for your continued support of my work. #5playspublished

https://australianplays.org/script/ASC-2247

'Listen' published by Broadcast Books

You might like to read my short story, 'Listen' which has just been published by Broadcast Books in their #TimetoRead series.

"#TimetoRead no.11 is a delicate and evocative short story by author and playwright 

Janet Brown

. Janet wrote it for us all to read, enjoy and share in these strange times. #stayathome and fly with 'Listen' " - Bernadette Foley, Broadcast Books

https://www.broadcastbooks.com.au/timetoread/blog-post-title-one-mkml8-8la8p-dclfx-y5nk9-z52cm-3ds44-yw7bt

Someone New Theatre podcast of 'A Princess, A Pea'

My fairy tale for all you grown ups...'A Princess, A Pea'  has just been podcast by Someone New Theatre. (20 mins listen). It is an initiative the company has committed to during this Covid19 phase, so that we can still enjoy entertainment in our homes. There are lots of lovely podcasts for you to explore.  Thank you Ryan O'Connot, and a lovely reading by Liana Skewed. 

"...a woman's nod and a woman's wink can change lives my dear."

Enjoy!

https://anchor.fm/someone-new/episodes/A-Princess--A-Pea--Monologue-ecd41l/a-a1s2uto

Australian Plays to publish 'Where The Heart Is'

 Another one of my plays is going to be published  by Australian Plays in the next couple of weeks, and I am delighted.  "Where The Heart Is" was produced by Skin Of Our Teeth Productions (SOOT) in 2016, and directed by Cherie Rosler.  I'll tell you more about that script once it is available.
 It is most important that people realise the significant role Australian Plays has in the theatre sector. Having scripts published and plays licensed by Australian Plays gets our original, new, Australian writing out to producers, theatre companies, directors and educators. How else can they know about our work?  Theatre is ephemeral - if you don't get to see a new show, unless it is published it otherwise disappears from the culture.  I am so very grateful for their continued support of  my work, and knowing I am in the company of Australia's best playwrights.
That will be #5plays published.

Swimming In Circles now published by Australian Plays

Australian Plays have published my script today. This is my 4th play published by Australian Plays and I am so grateful for their ongoing support. 

SWIMMING IN CIRCLES

by Janet Brown

Set on Bruny Island, Tasmania, ASTRID and KARLY are sisters who have a difficult relationship.

https://australianplays.org/script/ASC-2175