LOOKING FOR
ALIBRANDI

  • 1 Oct – 6 Nov 22 Upstairs Theatre
  • 2 hours & 20 mins (incl. 20 min interval)
Archived

LOOKING FOR
ALIBRANDI

By Vidya Rajan based on the book by Melina Marchetta
Directed by Stephen Nicolazzo

  • Venue Upstairs Theatre
  • Dates 1 Oct – 6 Nov 22
  • Duration 2 hours & 20 mins (incl. 20 min interval)
  • Accessibility
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  • Content warning

    Looking for Alibrandi contains coarse language, sexual references, the use of herbal cigarettes, haze and includes reference of suicide and allusion to domestic violence.

    Should you wish to speak to a member of staff regarding running times, content warnings or any other show related queries, our box office can be contacted on 02 9699 3444.

  • Co-production with
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  • Principal Partner
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  • Supported by
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The beloved novel of migration, growing up, and Sydney – now a play!

Three generations of women. The Italian-Australian experience. A tale of Sydney. A much-loved modern classic novel, a ground-breaking film, and now at Belvoir, a simply great night out.

It’s the last year of school, and 17-year- old Josephine Alibrandi can’t wait for her future to begin. If only she can get past the world of her Nonna, holding on to the values of the old country; and the world of her Mum, full of care and secrets. It’s time to take her place in the real world, beyond her family, beyond being an Alibrandi.

But this is the year Josie gets to know her father. This is the year she falls in love. And this is the year she uncovers the truth – and finds the Alibrandi she has been searching for.

We’re really excited to see how this classic of first and second generation Italian migration plays now. It has a bit of everything – teen romance, coming-of-age, tragi-comedy in a very Australian vein. Also, it’s wonderful to have Stephen Nicolazzo directing for the Belvoir stage – he’ll bring a very Alibrandi flair. – Eamon

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TEAM

  • Vidya Rajan
    Writer
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    Vidya Rajan is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist based in Naarm and Boorloo. Her work takes the form of scriptwriting for television and theatre, contemporary performance making and comedy. A former writer in residence at the Malthouse, she has been the recipient of the Living Now commission, the Malcolm Robertson commission, Screen Australia’s developing the developer […]

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  • Melina Marchetta
    Original Author
  • Stephen Nicolazzo
    Director
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    Stephen is a Melbourne based theatre maker, director and co-founder of queer theatre company, Little Ones Theatre. Recent Credits include: Loaded (Malthouse Theatre), Considerable Sexual License (Joel Bray Dance), Merciless Gods (Arts Centre Melbourne, Griffin Theatre Company), and Abigail’s Party (Melbourne Theatre Company). Stephen has also directed Ash Flanders’ End Of. (Griffin Theatre Company, Darebin […]

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  • Cast

  • John Marc Desengano
    Jacobe Coote
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    John Marc Desengano graduated from The University of Ballarat, Arts Academy in 2008 and has worked consistently as an actor since. He discovered a passion for young people which led him to achieving his Masters in Primary teaching from the University of Melbourne, and work for leading Youth Theatre companies such as St. Martin’s and […]

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  • Ashley Lyons
    Michael
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    Ashley graduated from the Queensland University of Technology. Theatre credits include The Removalists (Rocksurfers Theatre), The White Guard, The Removalists (Sydney Theatre Company) Measure For Measure, Scorched, and The Little Cherry Orchard (Company B), Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train (B-Sharp) as well as its revival in 2008 for Queensland’s Festival of the Dreaming. Also for […]

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  • Chanella Macri
    Josephine Alibrandi (Josie)
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    Chanella is an actor, writer, theatre-maker and educator who grew up on Dharug Country. Graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Practice, the Patricia Kennedy Award and as Valedictorian of the University of Melbourne VCA and MCM. Theatre credits include; Looking for Alibrandi (dir. […]

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  • Lucia Mastrantone
    Christina & Sera
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    Lucia has a successful career in theatre, physical theatre, film, TV and as a voice artist.  Select theatre credits include Sydney Theatre Company: The Harp in the South, Talk, Marriage Blanc, Romeo & Juliet. Belvoir: The Cherry Orchard, Atlantis, Twelfth Night, The Book of Everything, Scorched, Macbeth. Hayes Theatre: Young Frankenstein. Griffin: Window, Cricket Bat, […]

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  • Hannah Monson
    Ivy & John Barton
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    Hannah Monson is an Australian actor who is a graduate of the University of Ballarat. Selected theatre credits include Lady Example, Lashes and Oriel. Her most recent television credits include Halifax: Retribution for Nine Network, as well as her regular appearance in the role of Kristie in seasons one, two and three of Glitch. Other […]

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  • Jennifer Vuletic
    Nonna, Sister Bernadette & Margaret Throsby
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    Jennifer appeared most recently as Queen Gertrude in Malthouse’s Because The Night. Other stage credits include the Malthouse/STC co-productions of The Histrioic and Women Of Troy, Arbus& West (MTC), and Mamma Mia. Awards include the Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Award for the Baroness in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a Green Room Award for Merciless […]

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  • Creatives

  • Kate Davis
    Set & Costume Designer
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    Kate is a multi-disciplinary artist working as a director, set designer, costume designer, visual artist and florist. She is the Co-Artistic director and Co-CEO of THE RABBLE. Malthouse credits include My Dearworthy Darling (THE RABBLE), In the Bleak Midwinter (THE RABBLE), Deathly, Death, Dead (THE RABBLE), and Frankenstein (THE RABBLE). THE RABBLE was the Company […]

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  • Katie Sfetkidis
    Lighting Designer
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    Katie Sfetkidis is a lighting designer and contemporary artist based in Naarm (Melbourne). She has worked extensively in theatre, dance and experimental performance for almost 15 years in Australia and abroad. Credits include: Kill the Messenger (Belvoir Theatre); Chase, S.S. Metaphor, Loaded – Audio Experience, Meme Girls, Calpurnia Descending (Malthouse Theatre); Touching the Void, Come […]

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  • Daniel Nixon
    Composer & Sound Designer
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    Daniel is a composer, sound designer and multi instrumentalist. He has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, John Farnham, Yothu Yindi, Sebine Meyer, Mikko Frank and many others. He has written and recorded multiple albums and worked extensively as a session player, programmer and producer. He has scored and designed numerous films, plays […]

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  • Rosa Voto
    Choreographer & Musician
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    Rosa Voto is an Italian born performing artist, vocalist, dancer, percussionist and educator living in Australia since 2003.She is known as the founder and director of the Melbourne School of Tarantella, the first school in Australia dedicated to the teaching of Southern Italian traditional and ritualistic dances.Rosa has developed unique dance and movement programs for […]

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  • Renato Vacirca
    Musician
  • Matt Furlani
    Vocal Coach
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    Matt Furlani is a Voice/Dialect coach and Actor, holding a Post Grad Diploma in Voice Studies and Bachelor of Dramatic Art (VCA). Matt has worked as dialect coach on productions including Come Rain or Come Shine (Melbourne Theatre Company); Admissions (MTC); The Truth (MTC); Home, I’m Darling (MTC); Golden Shield (MTC); Heroes of the Fourth […]

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  • Paulo Bongiovanni
    Dialect Coach
  • Lucia Mastrantone
    Cultural & Language Consultant
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    Lucia has a successful career in theatre, physical theatre, film, TV and as a voice artist.  Select theatre credits include Sydney Theatre Company: The Harp in the South, Talk, Marriage Blanc, Romeo & Juliet. Belvoir: The Cherry Orchard, Atlantis, Twelfth Night, The Book of Everything, Scorched, Macbeth. Hayes Theatre: Young Frankenstein. Griffin: Window, Cricket Bat, […]

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  • Amelia Grindrod
    Stage Manager
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    A graduate of AFTT, Amelia has previously worked on Secret House’s The Seagull, Troilus & Cressida, Crime & Punishment, Joseph K and Charles & Larry, Redline Production’s King Of Pigs, Dead Fly Production’s The Scarecrow, Bard on the Beach’s 2019 season, New Ghosts’ Iphigenia in Splott and HUSH, Force Majeure’s The Last Season and Magic […]

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  • Jessica Law
    Assistant Stage Manager
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    Performer turned stage manager and crew member, Jess Law began her career in choirs and performing in local musicals in Newcastle and her school.  Once she discovered VET Entertainment in Year 11, she has since dived into the behind the stage action, including roles in stage crew in ASPIRE’s ‘Dark Matter’, and being the school’s […]

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Information
for schools

  • Book your performance

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    TERM 4

    Recommended for Years 10 – 12

    Schools Performances

    Tickets are only $24 per student with one complimentary teacher ticket for every ten students booked.
    • Thu, 13 Oct 2022 SOLD OUT 11:30am
    • Wed, 19 Oct 2022 SOLD OUT 11:30am
    • Wed, 26 Oct 2022 FINAL SEATS 11:30am
    • Fri, 28 Oct 2022 FINAL SEATS 11:30am
    • Wed, 2 Nov 2022 SOLD OUT 11:30am

    All schools performances are followed by a Q&A session with the cast.

    School groups can book any general public performance. Book our Thursday 1PM matinees for the schools performance price of $24 per ticket, or an evening performance from $43 per student.

    What to expect

    Belvoir creates for a wide audience and our productions may contain mature content.

    *Prompt Packs are resources created by Malthouse Theatre, our producing partner for Looking For Alibrandi. Prompt packs are useful particularly for English students seeing the show to engage with the context and content of the production. These packs include background information, interviews and activities.

    Contact Us

    For more information about our education programs, please get in touch.

    Education Manager Jane May
    Education Coordinator Stevie Bryant
    +61 (2) 8396 6241

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    Book your performance

    Complete this form to request tickets for Looking for Alibrandi.
    Want to book multiple productions? Head to our full Schools Booking Form.

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