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Hungry Ghosts

by Jean Tong

3 May — 19 May 2018

Southbank Theatre, The Lawler

When you’re a young queer Chinese-Malaysian Australian, how do you work out where you belong in the world? Criss-crossing between our unnamed protagonist, the disappearance of flight MH370 and an unsolved mystery, Hungry Ghosts offers an unconventional take on the complexities of contemporary life from exciting new playwright Jean Tong.

Approximately 1 hour. No interval.

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This is rated 4 out of 5 stars

‘Fascinating and moving, an intellectually rich piece that also taps a deep emotional vein.’

Time Out
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Emina Ashman

Cast

Artwork for Jing-Xuan Chan

Jing-Xuan Chan

Cast

Bernard-Sam.jpg

Bernard Sam

Cast

Artwork for Petra Kalive

Petra Kalive

Director

Petra trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and has extensive experience as a director, writer and dramaturg of new works for the stage. Her acclaimed adaptation of Peter Goldsworthy’s novel Three Dog Night toured nationally. She was Dramaturg at Red Stitch from 2009 – 2012, Assistant Dramaturg at The Malthouse in 2010.  Petra was Artistic Director of Union House Theatre (UHT) 2015-2020.

At Melbourne Theatre Company Petra has directed Laurinda, Touching the Void, The Lifespan of a Fact, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Green Room nom Best Direction), Hungry Ghosts, Melbourne Talam (Green Room nom Best Director) and Beached.

Petra has also worked for Belvoir Street, Sydney Theatre Company, Arena Theatre Company, Complete Works Theatre Company, Union House Theatre, St Martins Youth Arts Centre, La Trobe, Monash University & Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) performing arts programs. 

Her notable independent directing credits include the much-acclaimed Taxithi, which had two sell-out seasons at fortyfivedownstairs (Green Room nom Best Director), her own work Oil Babies at Northcote Town Hall (shortlisted for the NSW Premier Literary Awards 2019) and new Australian musical, My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin adapted by Dean Bryant and Matthew Frank.

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Eugyeene Teh

Set Designer

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Sophie Woodward

Costume Designer

Emma Valente

Emma Valente

Lighting Designer

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Darius Kedros

Composer / Sound Designer

More Information

Filled with humour, vivid imagery and rebellious energy, the World premiere of Hungry Ghosts features Emina Ashman (Moths), Jing-Xuan Chan (The Family Law) and Bernard Sam. Directed by Petra Kalive (Melbourne Talam).

Hungry Ghosts is part of MTC’s award-winning Education program which reaches thousands of students across Victoria every year through programming for young audiences, regional touring, scholarships, workshops and our celebrated Sharing the Light initiative. Visit mtc.com.au/education for details.

Commissioned with the support of the Joan & Peter Clemenger Trust. Developed with the support of The Cybec Foundation through MTC’s Cybec Electric play reading series as part of the 2017 AsiaTOPA Festival.

School Bookings

‘Questioning, visually evocative and lingeringly emotional, Hungry Ghosts feels fresh and current and a most worthy piece of programming to reach out intelligently to new audiences as part of MTC’s award-winning Education program aimed at making connections with thousands of students across Victoria every year.’ 
Australian Stage

Hungry Ghosts is the ideal introduction to non-naturalism for Year 10 and VCE Unit 1 Drama. To make a school group booking, email schools@mtc.com.au or call (03) 8688 0963.

Performance Schedule
Thursday 3 May 10am
Friday 4 May 1.30pm, 7pm
Saturday 5 May 7.30pm

Monday 7 May 1.30pm (Pre-show Talk available)
Tuesday 8 May 7pm
Wednesday 9 May 1.30pm (Pre-show Talk available)
Thursday 10 May 7pm
Friday 11 May 10am, 7pm
Saturday 12 May 7pm

Monday 14 May 1.30pm (Pre-show Talk available)
Tuesday 15 May 1.30pm
Wednesday 16 May 1.30pm, 7pm
Thursday 17 May 7pm
Friday 18 May 7pm
Saturday 19 May 7pm

Pre-show Talks

Pre-show Talks are available at selected performances. For dates and times, click here.

Education Packs

Education Packs will be available to support your teaching. Download free education packs here.

Script

The script will be available to purchase in 2018. For more information, email education@mtc.com.au.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible

  • Hearing Assistance