HISTORY

Teresa: Samantha James-Radford

ELIZA: Claire Dawson

Garry: John X

Barry: Colin Dean

Bobbie: Paul Levett

Malcolm Cooke had been sitting on the basic idea of The Audition for years, waiting for the right writer to turn up. That turned out to be Derek Rowe, so in 2017 he and Malcolm set to work.

Derek’s first draft is almost unrecognisable from the show that is now entertaining Australian audiences. Turning points in the show’s development include multiple feedback readings, as well as a 2-day development workshop, supported by the Marriner Group in 2023. This in particular was a seminal event, because the cast that was assembled were all living a different version of the life lived by the show’s lead character, Teresa. As such, their contributions could not have been more rich, meaningful and relevant.

The next step in The Audition’s journey was a highly successful 2025 out-of-town tryout season in Hobart.

Produced by the incomparable John X Presents and directed by Rober Jarman, the show could not have been in safer or more professional hands. After the four-performance run, reviewers, cast and audiences alike seemed in agreement that the show was good to go.

8 years, and many development stages later, Australia has an intimate and original new local story being told through script and song.

Enjoy!