2020 Festival Radio reimagined artists

In 1955, 15-year-old Lella Cariddi arrived in Melbourne from Italy, docking at Princes Pier after a 30-day journey. 50 years later, she would find herself documenting a range of personal histories from others who, just like her, had set foot in Australia for the first time on that very pier.

Alan Hopgood's ability to tell difficult stories with warmth, humour and grace has always resonated deeply. The play, 'Wicked Widow's came from Dr Susan Feldman who did her PhD on the subject of widowhood, where she interviewed 80 widows. Alan Hopgood said, ‘Well, I can’t put 80 women on a stage… but can I take three women’s stories?’ With permission granted, the play 'Wicked Widows' was developed from three life experiences.

Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Christine Grace took inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson to create two completely new, reimagined stories.

Originally from the tropics of North Queensland, Jessie Lloyd is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musician who performs a broad collection of Australian Indigenous songs.

Playwright Laura Lethlean has always been interested in other people. This natural curiosity, and awareness of increasingly black-and-white attitudes, has led to a desire to highlight the grey in life, ‘If we can find something small to do, that holds meaning for us, we can find more meaning in life.’

Growing up, Christine Middleton loved hearing stories about her family, and began recording conversations with people in her life. One story she knew she wanted to tell was that of Sheila - an outback restaurant owner in 1940s Australia.