VDL Awards Entries 2025

A drama, set in Melbourne, told with humour. A thought-provoking work that grapples with one of life’s biggest questions – how do we become the architect of our own life?

Helen is very unwell and is required to take on a temporary carer when her partner, John, heads off on a brief overseas trip. She concedes to the arrangement by selecting the least likely candidate; a dubious drifter and jack-of-all-trades, Lennie. From disparate worlds they form an unexpected bond of respect and understanding, but their harmony is disrupted by the arrival of Helen’s son, Jeremy, and early return of John.

‘It’s a play about living in extremis. It’s about being prepared to both live or die at a moments notice…What’s ‘normal’ goes out the window and people’s behaviour and choices often do too.’ Aidan Fennessy

By Arrangement with Creative Representation Pty. Ltd.

Sherlock Holmes is dead. Or so it is assumed. The world knows the great detective went over the falls at Reichenbach with his nemesis Professor Moriarty. But as Holmes’ body was never retrieved, a number of frauds, fakes, and charlatans have come forward since to lay claim to his identity, and it falls to Dr. Watson to disprove them. Then a telegram arrives informing Watson that three men, each claiming to be Holmes, have been committed to a remote asylum off the coast of Scotland. Now Watson must discover if one of the mad men is the real Sherlock Holmes.

It is February 1942, and tonight is a very happy and holy occasion. Tomorrow, young Christy will travel to Sydney to begin his studies for the priesthood. The O’Mahon family, proud Irish-Australians, throw a small party of farewell, with lamingtons and sing-alongs. But faith and duty can be heavy burdens, and the news of the war is increasingly grim – the family is forced to confront difficult truths.
Malvern Theatre Company is pleased to revive this classic Australian play. A joyous celebration of Irish-Australian humour and resilience, a study of faith and friendships, a drama of a family at pressure-point, ‘A Happy and Holy Occasion’ is a bitter-sweet portrait of a vanished Australia.

Every day comes down to moments. Moments of decision, or change. Moments that fall between ‘before’ and ‘after’. Moments where you’re balanced on the edge of who you are and who you might be. Do you reach for it or don’t you?

Knife Edge explores pivotal moments in life, in relationships, and in self-discovery as the characters dissect, carve up and attempt to cut through to a deeper understanding of themselves and each other.