JOY Weekend Breakfast

Peter Cumins joins us to talk about the premiere of his original show, and to reminisce about growing up in Perth. After wowing audiences around the world in international productions of ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’, Perth-born and raised musical theatre star, Peter Cumins is back in his home city of Perth, and ready to share his most personal project to date, 'Dear Divas – A Love Letter'. In this part-cabaret, part-comedy and part-musical extravaganza, Peter reflects on growing up gay in Perth in the 90’s and pays tribute to powerhouse vocalists, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews and national treasures Kylie Minogue and Tina Arena, who made his teen years bearable and inspired him to follow his dreams. Dear Divas is playing at Connections Night Club in Perth on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.

Two years ago, before our lives changed forever, The Production Company staged its last production. Ragtime, an Australian premiere, was the company’s final show after twenty-one years of presenting musicals in the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne. Founded by Jeanne Pratt AC in 1998, the company produced sixty-five musicals in more than five hundred performances between 1999 and 2019, selling more than a million tickets, presenting no fewer than ten Australian premieres and creating thousands of jobs and major career development for artists and creatives. How best to remember the unique contribution the company made to the vibrant artistic life we all enjoyed in Melbourne? The Production Company has launched an online archive celebrating the sixty-five musical productions they presented and the people who both created and starred in them. The company’s Artistic director Ken Mackenzie-Forbes AM joins us to announce that The Production Company’s online archive is now live. This online archive will enable The Production Company's subscribers, sponsors, artists and creatives to relive the excitement of those years. This journey through the archives will bring back the joy and delight these memorable productions gave us all. You can find the online archive at www.theproductioncompany.com.au

Paul McDermott, Australia’s original subversive Punk comedian, has just released an electrifying collection of politically-charged songs. The 5 track EP titled “I’VE SEEN THE FUTURE, AND YOU’RE NOT IN IT”, was recorded during Sydney’s latest lockdown. “I’VE SEEN THE FUTURE… ‘ was recorded with collaborator/musician/producer and wunderkind Glenn Moorhouse, at his Covid Safe office in Sydney. While live performance is restricted in Australia, and around the world, Paul and Glenn set about creating a sonic gift for the masses. McDermott says the songs have been “a cathartic labour of love.” (All 5 tracks were written by McDermott/Moorhouse, and produced by Moorhouse). “I’VE SEEN THE FUTURE, AND YOU’RE NOT IN IT” is available now on Spotify, iTunes and all other streaming platforms.

Tobias Madden joins us to talk about his new book, Anything But Fine. A heartfelt and hilarious Australian YA debut from a rising star. Luca is ready to audition for the Australian Ballet School. All it takes to crush his dreams is one missed step . . . and a broken foot. Jordan is the gorgeous rowing star and school captain of Luca’s new school. Everyone says he’s straight - but Luca’s not so sure . . . As their unlikely bond grows stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak? A queer coming-of-age story that looks at what happens when the career you’ve been planning for your whole life is lost to you in a moment. ‘Anything But Fine is everything wonderful I love in a book: characters so real they breathe, a rollercoaster of a story that made me laugh, cry, and swoon, and vivid, gorgeous writing. Brilliant’.– Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places Originally from Ballarat, Tobias worked for ten years as a dancer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, Singin’ in the Rain and Guys and Dolls. He now lives in Sydney with his husband, Daniel, and their Cavoodle, Ollie. In 2019, Tobias edited and published Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories, which featured his first published work, ‘Variation’. He also co-wrote the cabaret show Siblingship, which played to sold-out audiences in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities, and he currently works full time for a major independent publishing company.

Cassie McIvor joins us to talk about her magnificent performance on The Voice. She gives us the insider view on her journey to this point, and shares some hints for performers who are newer to the industry.

Jean and Demetra discuss their hobbies, what they are, and when do they become a side hustle.

Demetra, Jean and Podcaster Mia discuss their ability (or inability) for DIY.

Demetra and Jean talk about our connection to the possessions we gather and the "stuff" that builds up.

It's AFL grand final day and Demetra flies solo in her Bomber plane (get it? get it?) (aka JOY studios) and talks teams and belonging.  Pirates make a guest appearance.

Demetra and Jean navigate navigate the other side of the dating game and what to do when you are breadcrumbed, benched and in a situationship. With Alana Rossi on panel.

Demetra and Jean explore where to find love and whether dating apps are still relevant. With Alana Rossi on panel.

Jean is joined by comedian and content creator Bianka Ismailovski to discuss the concept and process of reinvention.

Jean struggles with her perfectionism and Demetra relapses back into hers.

This week, Demetra and Jean take a look at forgiveness of ourselves and others, including an interview with filmmaker Shalom Almond, Director and Producer of Songs Inside.

Take a trip into the spiritual as Demetra and Jean discuss Tarot cards.

Some would say its silly to explore the idea of a "devil's advocate" alone, but Demetra disagrees.

Demetra and Jean dress down this week to talk about nakedness and the social norms of clothing.

This week, Demetra and Jean, with special guest Hannah McElhinney author of Rainbow History Class, (book) take a look back through history at how different cultures saw and accepted queer identities, and try to answer the question "Who writes history?"

Demetra and Jean return to the big topics and tackle climate change and the attitude of climate apathy.

Taking a break from the heavy topics, Demetra and Jean choose a random topic to structure a whole show around. This week: Breakfast