Art Smitten - The Podcast

Marcie and Lily discuss the Remarkable Quests of Raddish and Quill, a column in The University of Melbourne's publication Farrago, written by members of the Creative Literature and Writing Society's (CLAWS) committee (of which Marcie is founding president). Features Marcie doing a reading of their column entry, 'The Delightfully Wholesome Genie'.  CLAWS has a facebook page. You can check out the column entry on the Farrago website here http://farragomagazine.com/2019/03/05/the-remarkable-quests-of-raddish-and-quill-the-delightfully-wholesome-genie/ Originally aired Sunday May 5th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of Stephanie Nestor 

Marcie and Lily interview Verity Norbury for her play 'Mocha Is Not Coffee!' as part of Law Week 2019. Verity discusses the play's themes on the mental health of law students, as well as her thesis, which explores the way in which performance can be used to open up discussions about mental health and wellbeing amongst law students.  Playing at Gasworks Studio Theatre 15th-18th May. For more information and tickets, check out http://www.gasworks.org.au/event/mocha-is-not-coffee/  Originally aired on Sunday May 5th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of Norbury Productions and Gasworks.

Marcie and Lily interview Diane Toulson and Leah Shelton for Bitch on Heat, where absurdist lip-synch meets high-camp performance art. Leah and Diane talk about the pop-fuelled critique of sexual politics in the age of implied consent that Bitch on Heat provides, and the Pandora’s box of ancient myths and pop-culture within the show.  Performing at Theatre Works May 8th-19th. For more information and tickets, check out http://www.theatreworks.org.au/program/bitch-on-heat/?mc_cid=f622c33e82&mc_eid=1954d323cc  Leah has a website https://www.leahshelton.live/    She also has a facebook, instagram, and twitter.  Diane has a twitter Originally aired on May 5th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of Theatre Works.

To promote the new poster curation Climate + Art = Change, Amy Spiers – who is one of several artists participating in the project – joined co-hosts Tom, Sim and Charlie to discuss the purpose of the curation, and the inspiration for her artwork.   All of the artworks can be viewed at Testing Grounds, Southbank until May 18th. For more information, head to artclimatechange.org/2019/event/climarte-poster-project-ii   You can also read more about Amy on her official website: www.amyspiers.com.au Segment originally aired Wednesday, May 1st; produced by Tom Parry

Marcie, Digby and guest-host Connor talk about everything Dungeons and Dragons; characters, campaigns, and all the hijinks and crazy adventures they would get into. Featuring discussion of another Tabletop Role-Playing Game; Stars Without Number, and all its crazy hijinks.  Aired originally on Sunday April 28th. Segment produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo.

From Hellblade to Cuphead to Mario Party, Marcie, Digby and guest-host Connor talk about a whole series of video games, the Nintendo Switch, and more. Disclaimer; the first minute of the discussion has been cut off due to technical difficulties, but the game Conner is talking about at the start of the discussion is Hellblade - Senua's Sacrifice. Aired originally on Sunday April 28th. Segment produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo.

In this segment, Charlie joins co-hosts Sim, Nic and Tom to discuss and review Lightning Jar Theatre's Mr. Burns, a Post-electric Play, which was shown at fortyfive downstairs earlier in the year. A return season of the production is beginning at fortyfive downstairs this week! For more information, head to fortyfivedownstairs.com/wp2016/event/mr-burns-a-post-electric-play-return-season. Segment originally aired Wednesday, February 27th; produced by Tom Parry Picture courtesy of Lightning Jar Theatre and fortyfive downstairs.

In the weeks before its Melbourne premiere, co-hosts Nicola and Tom spoke to Tyran Parke (not pictured) about his role as the director of the upcoming play Barnum: the Circus Musical.  Tyran also spoke about how the musical is different from other stories of Barnum, the challenges faced by the performers, and why Todd McKenney (actually pictured) is perfect in the lead role. Barnum: the Circus Musical is playing at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from April 27th. For more information and tickets, head to barnumthemusical.com.au   Segment originally aired Sunday, March 31st; produced by Tom Parry.Image courtesy of StoreyBoard Entertainment

To promote his new clown-themed show Vladimir the Crow, Paul Bourke conversed with co-hosts Maria and Tom about the art of clowning, working with his brother Steve, and his future plans for the character.   Vladimir the Crow has now ceased playing in Melbourne, but you can stay up-to-date with Paul via his official Facebook page.   Segment originally aired Sunday, April 7th. Produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.

Having travelled to several countries across the globe, comedian Marcus Ryan is only too keen to talk about his overseas adventures. In this segment, he talks to co-hosts Charlie and Tom about his new show Marcos, which documents his mishaps in South America; his old show Walk This Que? about his journey along the Camino Trail in Spain; and his Lights Out fundraiser.You can find out more information about Marcus on his official website, and follow his shenanigans via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.    Segment originally aired Wednesday, April 3rd; produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist. P.S. Don't let that photo fool you, he is a really nice guy.

In this segment, Sammy Perryman interviews comedians James Gordon and Lucy Seale – a duo better known by their collective title “Juicy” – about their new show Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Play, Right?   James and Lucy are performing for two nights only as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, April 13th and 14th. For tickets and more, head to comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/two-wrongs-don-t-make-a-play-right   James is also performing as part of The Manus Island Amateur Theatrical Society. For more information, head to comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/three-guards-on-manus-island   Juicy can be followed on their official Facebook and Instagram pages.   Segment recorded Sunday, April 7th; edited by Tom Parry.

Fusing the Marvel Cinematic Universe with theatrical cabaret, Phill Davies' one-man  show Marveled is a production three years in the making that lovingly sends-up the world's most popular superhero franchise. Phill spoke with co-hosts Arnie, Nicola and Tom about the show's creation, his choice of venue and, naturally, his favourite Marvel movie. Marveled begins Tuesday, April 9th at Gasworks Arts Park. For more information, head to comedyfestival.com.au/index.php/2019/shows/marveled-an-original-parody-cabaret Segment originally aired Wednesday, March 20th; produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.

Best known for his villainous roles in Mad Max and Mad Max: Fury Road, actor Hugh Keays-Byrne spoke exclusively to Player One's Stefan Bradley about his iconic characters, working with George Miller and his hopes for another Mad Max movie. Recorded at Supanova Expo on April 6th, 2019. Produced by Stefan Bradley; edited by Tom Parry.

For the second time this season, cabaret artist Tash York came in to chat with the Art Smitten team, on this occasion about her show "Adulting", which is being performed as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 21st. For more information about Tash's show, head to comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/adulting Segment originally aired Wednesday, March 27th; produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.

Now in its 36th year, the Green Room Awards recognise the most outstanding contributions to Melbourne's theatrical community. And with 247 nominations over 62 different categories, there's also the most comprehensive!Vice-President of the Awards, Meg Upton, came to chat with co-hosts Tom and Portia about the ceremony, its past nominees, how to become a Green Room nominee, and the benefits it can bring winners. By the way, the 36th Green Room Awards are happening TONIGHT! You can find more information, the list of nominees and tickets, head to greenroom.org.au   Segment originally aired Sunday, March 17th. Produced by Euna Catampongan; edited by Tom Parry.

Most men would dread working with their mothers, but not comedian Felix Castaner, whose own mother Helen Breier co-stars in his new stage show Son of a Bitch. Like a modern-day version of the classic Australian sitcom Mother & Son, it sees Felix trying to deal with his “overbearing” Mum, with hilarious results.   Felix and Helen joined Art Smitten’s Nicola and Dwight to discuss how their show came about, and what audiences can expect to see.   Son of a Bitch is being performed as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until Sunday, March 31st at the Butterfly Club. For more information about the show, visit comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/son-of-a-bitch. You can also follow Felix via Instagram and Facebook.   Segment originally aired Sunday, March 24th. Produced by Euna Catampongan; edited by Tom Parry.   Image courtesy of the artist.

Co-writer and performer of the theatrical comedy Here Come The Blues, Fiannah De Rue, discusses her love of the Carlton Football Club and the messages she hopes her show will convey with Nicola, Arnie and die-hard Bombers supporter Tom.   Here Come The Blues is being performed as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from Tuesday, March 26th at Tasma Terrace. For more information about the show, visit comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/here-come-the-blues   Segment originally aired Wednesday, March 20th. Produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.

To promote his new show Little Sketch Book of Horrors, performer Dave Massingham – who specialises in improv comedy – spoke with co-hosts Dwight, Dini and Tom about his inspiration for the show, and what audiences can expect to see in the confines of Tasma Terrace.   Little Sketch Book of Horrors is being performed as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 26th. For more information about the show, head to comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/little-sketch-book-of-horrors   Segment originally aired Sunday, March 3rd. Produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of Mark Gambino Photography and David Massingham.

Co-hosts Dwight, Dini and Tom talk to Jack Beeby, the alter-ego of drag queen Six Inches Uncut, about how he came to discover the drag scene and create TAINT Cabaret, a monthly event that walks the line between “fantasy and filth”. For more information about TAINT Cabaret, head to the official Facebook page. You can also follow Six Inches Uncut via Facebook and Twitter. Segment originally aired Sunday, March 3rd. Produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.

In a frenetic, wide-ranging chat with Art Smitten’s Charisa and Nicola, improvisational comedian Rik Brown discusses his new scripted, one-man play Rocky the Third; what it’s like to be a teacher of improv; his biggest comedy influences; and the many, many other shows he is partaking in. Rocky the Third will be playing at The Butterfly Club as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 25th. For more information, visit thebutterflyclub.com/show/rocky-the-third Originally aired Wednesday, March 6th. Produced by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the artist.