Perpetual Stew

Bite-sized stories that serve up the absurdity, drama, and comedy of the classic dinner scene

Bread, water, ale, tears, passive aggression: everyone’s bringing their baggage and adding it to the pot. Why do so many genres and forms traverse the dinner table to serve audiences the most iconic dialogues, imagery, and action the arts have to offer? Perpetual Stew explores the complexities and rich aromas of the dinner scene whilst adding our own flavours to the mix. Break out the good plates and get ready to spill some wine. Join us for an exploration of why sharing a meal with your nearest and dearest can serve a dish of thinly veiled tension threatening to bubble over.

About the Artists

Milly Walker is a producer and theatre maker from Meanjin. Having graduated from QUT in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama), they now work as a freelance artist, producer, and production manager in Naarm. Milly is passionate about making surprising works of fiction set in this surreal modern world — anchored in our common experiences.

Charlie Lawrence is a Meanjin born, Naarm based journalism and communications graduate (University of Queensland) with a passion for storytelling. Previously working in creative nonfiction, he has developed a keen interest in the Venn-diagram cross section between absurd reality and human fragility.

Victoria Barlow is a Naarm/Melbourne based performer and creative whose practice is centred on collaboration, emotion, and facilitating intimate audience experiences. Victoria is passionate about exploring and blending different mediums and styles of creation.

CAST

SAM EADE
Sam Eade is a transgender male actor based in NAARM/Melbourne. After discovering his passion for acting at a young age while working with stage left, Sam continued to explore and refine his acting and performing skills at the Victorian College of the Arts in their Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting course. Sam is excited by theatre and screenwork that allows him to dive into a wide range of characters and explore the intricate complexities of what it is to be human.

COURTNEY CRISFIELD
Originally trained in theatre arts, Courtney Crisfield works as an actor/creative for stage and screen, stand-up, improvisor and MC; proudly able to boast a decade of Australian and international, professional experience and training. She is also a martial artist and passionate animal rights activist, represented by CMT Management.

CONAGH PUNCH
Conagh (They/He/She) is a queer, non-binary performer based in Melbourne, originally from Newcastle, NSW. Some of their previous work includes "Guys & Dolls" with Antipodes Theatre Company, "The Last Brunch" with Darwent & Gray, Midsumma festival 2023, "Secret Expedition" with Cracked Actors Theatre, "Tick, Tick...Boom!" with SLAMS Music Theatre and "Peter Pan" an audio drama podcast with Ballarat National Theatre. They are also a member of the theatre-in-education ensemble Eagle's Nest Theatre. Conagh is represented by Ian Nisbet Talent Management.

A new work, Perpetual Stew is a comedic piece that draws on the dramatic highs, the horrific absurdity, and the sick-to-your-stomach tension that makes the Dinner Scene a highlight.