Backstage

Photographer Alex McClintock joins Regina Botros on Backstage to talk about his latest collaboration with audio documentarian Mike Williams: 24 Hours in Kings Cross, a genre-bending live documentary showing at Sydney Fringe Festival. Captured over a single sleepless day, the show is a gritty, glamorous tribute to Sydney’s infamous red-light district, blending McClintock’s evocative street photography with Williams’ immersive audio storytelling. Together, they shine a spotlight on the misfits, lovers, drag queens, tattoo artists, and party-goers who make the Cross pulse with life. From sunrise to sunrise, this multimedia experience is a love letter to a suburb that never sleeps.   📍 24 Hours in Kings Cross runs from September 10–20 at Sean & Dolly’s, as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival  .

Regina Botros sits down with actor Mayu Iwasaki, who stars as Mitsue in The Face of Jizo at the Seymour Centre. This poignant play, written by Hisashi Inoue, explores the emotional aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing through the eyes of a young librarian and her father’s ghost. Mayu shares her journey into producing this play and the role, plus the emotional weight of portraying a survivor. Don't miss this one.  

In this episode, Regina Botros sits down with legendary lighting and set designer Nick Schlieper to explore the hauntingly beautiful world of Grief is the Thing with Feathers, now playing at Belvoir Theatre. Co-adapted by Schlieper alongside Simon Phillips and Toby Schmitz, this theatrical reimagining of Max Porter’s acclaimed verse novel dives deep into the surreal and poetic terrain of grief, memory, and transformation. Nick shares insights into the creative process, the challenge of translation, and the character of Crow.   On at Belvoir Theatre.

Peter Evans, Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare, talks with Regina Botros about his new production of Coriolanus as well as, how he came to be the Artistic Director of the company. One of Shakespeare’s least performed and most politically charged plays, it's staged at the Neilson Nutshell Theatre at Wharf 2/3—Bell Shakespeare’s home. Evans has long been a driving force in Australian theatre, with a career spanning decades and stages across the country. Come Backstage!  

In this episode, Regina Botros speaks with Jessica Arthur, director and dramaturg of Koreaboo, a bold new work for Griffin Theatre Company.  Currently the New Work Associate - Artist Development at Malthouse Theatre, Jess has held key creative roles at Sydney Theatre Company, including Resident Director (2019–2022), Directing Associate, and Richard Wherrett Fellow. Her directing credits span Belvoir, Griffin, La Mama, Kings Cross Theatre, Old Fitz, Melbourne Theatre Company. In this conversation, we dive into the making of Koreaboo, its cultural resonance, and Jess’s process of developing new work that speaks to contemporary audiences. From The Dictionary of Lost Words to The Wolves, Jess’s career is a testament to innovation, collaboration, and the heart of storytelling.

I’m joined by one of Australia’s most celebrated actors—Pamela Rabe. With a career spanning decades, Pamela has earned acclaim across stage and screen, and is also a respected stage director. Her versatility shines through in a wide range of genres—from musicals and comedies to powerful dramas. You may have seen her in unforgettable productions such as: August: Osage County Seventeen The Cherry Orchard Cat on a Hot Tin Roof The Dance of Death My Fair Lady The Glass Menagerie ...and so many more. She’s tackled the works of Shakespeare, Molière, Chekhov, Brecht, Noël Coward, Patrick White, and David Mamet—just to name a few. Today, Pamela joins me to talk about her latest role as Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days, now playing at the Sydney Theatre Company. It’s a demanding and iconic role, and we’ll dive into what it means to bring Beckett’s vision to life on stage. Reginabotros.com  

In this colourful episode, Regina Botros is joined by the talented Alexander Berlage, the award-winning director and lighting designer, to dive into his dazzling new production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at the Hayes Theatre. How do you take a cult Almodóvar classic and reimagine it for the stage? Alex shares the creative journey behind bringing this bold, emotional, and hilariously chaotic story to life. From navigating the musical’s tone to crafting a visual world that captures the spirit of 1980s Madrid, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎭 Alexander Berlage has made a name for himself as one of Australia’s most exciting theatrical talents. With back-to-back Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Direction of a Musical (American Psycho and Cry-Baby), and a 2023 win for Best Direction of an Independent Production (A Streetcar Named Desire), his work continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences. Tune in to hear how Alexander and his team bring passion, precision, and a touch of madness to the stage in this unforgettable production.

🎙️ Regina Botros in Conversation with Jess Fuchs On this episode, Regina chats with the brilliantly chaotic Jess Fuchs about her upcoming comedy festival show, Sex Jokes for Women. Jess is an Australian stand-up comedian, writer, actress — and self-proclaimed forgotten middle child. Known for her razor-sharp wit and unfiltered storytelling, she’s been called “whip smart,” “boisterous,” and “pure chaos” (in the best way possible). She doesn’t just tell jokes — she invites you into her world, where oversharing is a superpower and awkward silence doesn’t stand a chance. 🎭 Catch Sex Jokes for Women: 15 & 16 May – Bondi Pavilion 17 May – Enmore Theatre Tune in for laughs, insight, and a whole lot of honesty.

Tom Gleisner joins Regina Botros to talk about his musical Bloom, playing at Sydney Theatre Company. He's an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer, director, writer, occasional actor and author. Gleisner currently hosts Network 10's Have You Been Paying Attention?.

Izabella joins Regina to talk about her play These Youths Be Protesting a finalist for the 2024 Martin Lysicrates playwriting award. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meets Don’t Look Up, this new Australian play is a comedy about climate change, about the chaos of youth and how these intersect with the campaign trail of a federal election. The production will have its world premiere at Kings Cross Theatre (KXT) on Broadway, and will play from the 4th-19th of April.  Izabella is a performer, writer, producer, and environmental activist. Since returning to Australia, Izabella produced and performed in sold-out hit “Much Ado About Nothing” at Flow Studios; had her play “FISH DOOF” published by Currency Press; was selected for ATYP’s writing mentorship program Fresh Ink; and has toured Australia performing children’s theatre.   

Lucy Clements joins Regina Botros to talk about her latest show Iphigenia in Splott at Old Fitz Theatre and her position as the Artistic Director of the theatre space. Lucy is the Founder, Managing Director and CEO of New Ghosts Theatre Company Inc, and the Artistic Director of the Old Fitz Theatre. She specialises in the creation and presentation of new theatrical works and strives to champion playwrights & women in theatre. In 2019 she established the IGNITE Collective - a women-led, inclusive collective of theatre makers from across the nation, formed with the mission of putting new women-driven stories on Australian stages. In her time with NGTC and IGNITE, Lucy has been at the helm of seven world premiere and four Australian premiere productions, and has worked across Sydney, Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and New York. Her production of 'Albion' won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Independent Production 2022, for which she also won Best Direction of an Independent Production. Lucy begins her tenure at the Old Fitz Theatre in 2024.

Keegan Joyce joins Regina Botros to talk No Love Songs using songs from the real life Scottish musician Kyle Falconer from his band The View. You might have seen Keegan in Rake and Please Like Me. He was also the longest serving 'Oliver' in the history of the production "Oliver!" where Keegan from the age of 12, toured Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne for over a year. He's done heaps! NO LOVE SONGS is a powerful and uplifting modern love story that packs an emotional punch with beautifully written songs and honest storytelling that will star KEEGAN JOYCE (Rake, Please Like Me) and LUCY MAUNDER (Chicago, Mary Poppins).

Tom Wright joins Regina Botros to talk about his adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock at Sydney Theatre Company. Wright's adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock for the Sydney Theatre Company has received rave reviews. It's  an eerie, beautiful, and visionary take on Joan Lindsay's gothic tale. The production, directed by Ian Michael, features a talented cast and combines modern elements with the haunting mystery of the original story.   Tom Wright started as a member of Barrie Kosky’s Gilgul Theatre in the early 1990s, then with Michael Kantor’s Mene Mene in the late 1990s. He has worked as an actor and director at the Melbourne Theatre Company, STCSA, Sydney Theatre Company, Playbox, La Mama, Company B, Anthill, Gilgul, Mene Mene, Bell Shakespeare Company, Chunky Move, Black Swan Theatre, Chamber Made Opera and the Adelaide, Sydney, Edinburgh, Vienna, Perth and Melbourne Festivals. He was Artistic Associate at Sydney Theatre Company 2004–2008 and Associate Director of STC 2008–2012. He joined Belvoir as an Artistic Associate in 2016.  More about Tom here. 

Alana joins Regina Botros to talk about her new work for the stage Nucleus at the Seymour Centre as part of the Griffin season. Alana Valentine is a librettist, playwright and director. Photo (c) Brett Boardman Gabriel is a nuclear engineer. Cassie is an anti-nuclear campaigner. For nearly thirty years their lives have collided and entwined, with Cassie’s cause dominating public opinion across the decades. But with political change rumbling underfoot, Cassie’s life’s work could yet be undone—and it’s all led to this explosive night.

Shiv joins Regina Botros to talk about how he came to acting and his role in 4000 Miles for STC. Shiv Palekar was born in India, raised in Hong Kong and is now based in Sydney, Australia. Since graduating from NIDA, Shiv has appeared in Counting and Cracking (Belvoir); The Tempest, The Real Thing, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Disgraced (Sydney Theatre Company); The Sound Inside (Melbourne Theatre Company); The Almighty Sometimes (Griffin Theatre Company); and has toured nationally twice in The Merchant of Venice and The Players (Bell Shakespeare).   Photo Credit:credit Derek Henderson

Director & Designer Patrick Kennedy joins Regina Botros to talk about THE FLEA at the New Theatre.   Hailed as "one of the country’s most fascinating theatre practitioners" (British Theatre), Patrick Kennedy is an Offie Award nominated director and producer recognized as one of the leading European avant garde figures.  Originally trained as an acting teacher under the Globe Theatre’s Jacqueline Bessel, Patrick began producing and creating experimental theatre in 2009 at Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Eugene Ionesco’s 'The Lesson'. With over 15 years experience at the heart of arts and culture, Patrick joined Sydney Fringe in 2024. 

Brendan joins Regina Botros to talk about his latest work Hamlet Camp on at the Carriageworks till the 25th January. A laugh out loud look at acting and the roles that haunt you!  Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie, and Toby Schmitz – three stars of Australian stage and screen – come together for the first time for the world premiere of Hamlet Camp, a night of poetry, pith and play.  Photo credit: Daniel Boud

Priscilla Jackman joins Regina Botros to discuss The Cost of Living for Sydney Theatre Company. First broadcast 24th July, 2024. Sydney Theatre Company and Queensland Theatre’s co-production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Tony-nominated Broadway smash-hit, Cost of Living. Priscilla Jackman (RBG: Of Many, One) and internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Dan Daw (The Dan Daw Show) direct this Australian premiere production of one of the best pieces of new writing to emerge from the US in the last decade, written by former carer turned playwright, Martyna Majok. Co-director and performer Daw leads an exceptional cast including Philip Quast (STC's Do Not Go Gentle), Kate Hood (Malthouse Theatre's The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man), and Zoe de Plevitz (Netflix's Boy Swallows Universe) in a beautifully rendered four-hander about our need to care, or be cared for, no matter the distance that age, race and disability might place between us.    

  Backstage at the Enmore Theatre with Regina and Benito, the youngest 2024 Eurovision entrant at 17 years old, Sydney's Silia Kapsis.  The biggest live music show on earth is touring for the first time since the Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956, presented by Eurodrama Entertainment, SL.    Following concerts in London, Paris and Madrid, EUROVISION ON TOUR brings the Eurovision experience to the fans and will tour to three Australian cities: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney on 13, 15 and 17 November 2024. 

Senhit talks to Regina and Benito backstage at the Enmore theatre. Known globally as the 'Freaky Queen', Italian-African pop star Senhit’s single ‘Adrenalina’ saw her collaborate with American rapper Flo Rida, who famously performed on stage with her at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. ‘Adrenalina’ has had 18 million streams on Spotify, with a further 3 million Spotify streams of a remix by one of the world's biggest DJs Steve Aoki. Her new album 'Dangerous' has just been released ahead of the Eurovision world tour.