Who is Meredith Crocksley?

Every town has one…the town drunk, the town bike, the town recluse, the town nutter… Meredith Crocksley is a woman who lives in every Australian country town. Everyone knows about her, but they don’t quite know how they know.

In The Story of Meredith Crocksley, the fragile and blundering Meredith escorts the audience through the lives of the extraordinary women who have shaped her world. What is wrong with her? Irene reckons it was all Anne’s fault. But how come Larry shot through? And where is that incessant music coming from?
Gradually, through the tiny truths and stoic pride of Meredith’s whole town, we are allowed to share the discovery of her own secret story and that of her softly spoken mother.

The Story of Meredith Crocksley is a powerful, funny and painfully moving piece of multi-media music theatre. Through colourful narratives, astute observations and original songs, O’Donovan delves deep into Australian folklore, unraveling the complex fabric that veils the lives of women in rural Australian communities.

Click to view Meredith Crocksley flyer!

Success so far...

The Story of Meredith Crocksley premiered to sell out houses in the 2007 Adelaide Fringe (the second biggest Fringe Festival in the world). Garnering five star reviews, the show’s debut season was lorded as a triumphant success and an invitation ensued for inclusion in the 2007 internationally renowned Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The first show of the 2007 Cabaret Festival to sell out, The Story of Meredith Crocksley was again received to critical acclaim. The show enjoyed further success as part of Perth’s Cabaret Soiree series at His Majesty’s Theatre in September 2007, followed by more full houses as part of Adelaide’s Feast Festival in November that year. The Story of Meredith Crocksley won the 2007 SA OscArts award for best Solo Show.

In 2008, The Story of Meredith Crocksley made its regional debut at the Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival, much to the delight of audiences and festival producers alike.

The Team

In addition to Libby O'Donovan, the story of Meredith Crocksley is brought to life by...

		Andrea Lemon - Additional Script and Dramaturg Andrea is a highly awarded researcher, writer, dramaturg and director of contemporary circus and theatre. She has written and directed over 40 professional productions, including the Snakehouse Trilogy - The Serpent’s Fall; Walking on Sticks and Tiger Country (with performer, Sarah Cathcart); and Rodeo Noir – the yodeling musical. She has been the Artistic Director of the Women’s Circus; the recipient of the Centenary Federation Medal for her services to the community through writing; and the recipient of an Australia Council Senior Artist Fellowship. Her work for circus and stage has won numerous awards including AWGIE awards, Victorian Green Room Awards, the LEND International Exchange Award, and ABC Radio Fringe awards. Her productions regularly tour nationally and internationally. Most recently Andrea wrote Circus Girl with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus; and produced a major exhibition at the Victorian Arts Centre - The Circus Diaries: intimate portraits of Australian circus families. Andrea is currently writing a PhD about traditional Australian circus communities.
		Kathie Renner - Piano, Guitar, Backing Vocals As a singer and songwriter, Kathie Renner is likened to luminaries such as Joni Mitchell and Sting. Kathie has a highly respected career playing in festivals, wineries and music clubs in South Australia and Melbourne. With her trio “Vincent’s Chair” including Karen De Nardi on viola and Hugh Stuckey on guitar, Kathie has received critical acclaim for recordings and compositions, both locally and abroad. The trio is currently performing by return invitation in the 2008 EUROPAfest in Bucharest, Romania, as part of a European tour including dates in Switzerland and the UK.
		Belinda Gehlert - Violin, Audio Visual Belinda Gehlert has been playing the violin for twenty three years. She holds a Diploma and a Bachelor in violin Performance as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Jazz violin Performance and Improvisation. Belinda is a highly acclaimed and sought after composer, arranger and performer who works regularly around Australia with ensembles such as the Adelaide Art Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Zephyr Quartet, Ruby Frost Quartet, Patch Theatre Company, the Adelaide University Theatre Guild and Carclew Youth Arts. Belinda is also renowned for her work with recording artists including Katie Noonan, Abi Tucker, Sarah Blasko and Angas and Julia Stone.