Interviews

After a year under a COVID-19 hiatus, The Byron Comedy Fest is back! Next Thursday sees this fledgling event open the doors to its second weekend presenting all that is fabulous and funny. Set on the Byron beachfront at the Byron Surf Club and styled as a classy bespoke beachside speakeasy, this event is the creative lovechild of besties Zara Noruzi and Mell Coppin.

Madeleine West is a nationally acclaimed actress who is one of the many talents who lives in our region. Not just a soap star (some might know her as Dee Bliss from Neighbours), Madeleine has an extensive performance training background and she’s going to be sharing her Theatresports expertise with kids at the Byron Comedy Fest.

‘There is a special part of our brain that will remember stories better than it will remember facts. So in answer to your question: good education, lots of reading, and I turn everything into stories… Stories go into three parts: you start off with something really weird and amazing, you explain it, and then you finish off with a joke.’

Jeanti St Clair has curated a powerful, immersive audio experience that takes audiences into deep water. She speaks with The Echo about Flood Stories.

Research has revealed that loneliness can be as impactful on one’s health as smoking. So how do we combat loneliness? How do we talk about it? Local performance artists Marissa Treichel, Rohini Drury, Ruth Walker, Danielle Linegar, and Justine Grantham have been working with Drill Hall creative director Liz Chance on TLC– a dance and movement show that shines the light on loneliness and connection. The Cassettes’ choreographer, performance artist and participant Marissa Treichel, spoke with Seven.

Internationally celebrated musician, Emmy winner and three times Grammy nominee Toni Childs is bringing her show to The Brunswick Picture House. With two acts, Childs is promising a special two hour performance as she celebrates her vast catalogue of music, which also saw her celebrate the 30th anniversary of her critically acclaimed album Union in 2019.

Dave Callan is a big hairy Irish bloke. He’s funny. You would have seen him on Rove and heard him on Triple J – but now you get to see him dance! With backup dancers and a show full of spectacular choreography and a hairy Viking, catch A–Z of Dance at Byron Comedy Fest. Dave told us a little more…

Comedian, writer, and social commentator Jean Kittson has the ability to distil complex ideas into commonsense. Jean is one of the national treasures in conversation with Mandy Nolan and Fiona O’Loughlin at No Eggs for Breakfast, a comedic chat themed around life beyond fertility! It seemed remiss not to ask Ms Kittson on her take on the debacle that is federal politics and gender equity.

Dream Bigger is presenting Lismore Youth Festival in partnership with numerous organisations in Lismore. Dream Bigger connects established artists with potential future artists to make their ideas a reality through engaging workshops and collaboration. The Echo spoke to Mitch King from Dream Bigger.

Thirst is the story of Stan Adams, as told by Deebee Bishop. He was one of six housemates who lived with Stan in a broken-down share house when he’d walked away from his life to live rough. Decades later, Deebee tells the story.

Dan Willis brings Best of British back to the Byron Comedy Festival. It was a sellout last year, with the audience confirming it as one of the favourite shows of the program. Dan is back – this time with Rory Lowe and John Flynn, and spoke with The Echo…

Emily Wurramara can't wait to play at the Bluesfest and have a dance with her friends.

After a year in the shadows, NORPA is kicking in with a powerhouse program for the last six months of 2021.

Does the idea of a large hairy viking recreating classic music video clips live on stage tickle your giggle bone? If so, then the multimedia extravaganza A Little Less Conversation is a show not to be missed.

The Feramones, the Northern Rivers’ very own supergroup, comprising internationally acclaimed musicians, is going to be playing Bangalow Bowlo.

Nicholas Routley plays piano for soprano Gaynor Morgan and tenor Geoffrey Web when they alternate with Margaret Curtis’s shimmering harp playing, this Sunday.

Janet Swain is 14. She’s in love with the tragic and brilliant cellist Jacquleine DuPré. But one day her mother arrives home with a bassoon.

Local filmmaker helps tell the story of Edmund Hillary’s last adventure, in the film, Ocean to Sky