About the show
Sophie works casually at the Mega-Mall. She’s trying to study creative writing, have lunch with her mum for her 18th birthday and maybe one day, buy a house! Can she do it? No, seriously, can she?
As the cost-of-living crisis hits breaking point and late-stage capitalism rears its ugly head, young people are left scrambling to survive inside a system where an iced latte costs 30 minutes of soul-crushing labour selling other iced lattes.
A dark comedy that’s painfully recognisable, MEGA-MALL unmasks the absurdity of the retail world. Resistance is brewing, but fragile. What happens when workers finally stand up and say enough is enough? Probably nothing. Yeah…most likely nothing.
“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” – Nelson Mandela
Liam Wallis
Liam Wallis is an Australian director working across theatre, film, and music video. Originally from Brisbane, he trained as an actor at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and is currently completing a Master of Fine Arts (Directing) at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). His work focuses on socially urgent storytelling that interrogates contemporary societal systems, driven by a commitment to creating ambitious, immersive experiences for contemporary audiences.
His directing credits include Mega-Mall by Mark Rogers, Nineteen by Shane Pike, 3 Billion Seconds by Maude Dromgoole, Penumbra by Kezhen Yi, and The Laramie Project. He has also written and directed the short film Vegetarian Potato Bake and directed the music video No More for artist JJ4K as part of the NIDA x Triple J collaboration. In addition to his directing practice, Liam has produced and assistant directed independent screen and theatre projects.
“… and that this play of the young people, by the young people, for the young people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Linked-In
– Liam Wallis
TBA
This performance contains coarse language, references to sexual harassment, strobe and flashing lights, sudden loud noises, and haze and smoke effects.
The Company
CAST (in order of appearance)
Dan/Eshay 1: Braydon James
Michael/Eshay 2: Adam Dakin*
Security Guard/Interviewer: Jonah Stewart*
Sophie: Zara Giacobello
Pam: Tahnee Dakota
Nomad: Reid Perry*
Dina: Kiara de Vine
Writer: Mark Rogers*
Director: Liam Wallis
Costume, Props & Set Designer: Sophia Gionis
Lighting Designer: Darcy Duncan
Sound & Video Designer: Lilly Green
Fight Choreographer: Troy Honeysett*
Voice Coach: Patrick Klavins*
Production Manager: Jared Mcculla*
Company Stage Manager: Eloise Tanti
Production Assistant: Amelie McCarthy*
Construction Manager: Jamie Seller
Costume Supervisor: Sean Farnworth
Systems Manager: Max Bradley
Key
*Guest Artist
** NIDA Staff
Thank you to ResolutionX (ResX) for their hire equipment and to the students from the Diploma of Live Production & Technical Services for their assistance during bump-in.