Past Performance
‘The Queen’s City of the South’ by Mark Salvestro | At The Loading Dock
8 – 19 October 2024
A community radio station. A country queer. A gay prison.
Ryan, Cooma’s self-proclaimed ‘resident homo’, is preparing to interview an exciting guest on his nightly program. His friend Maggie is cheering him on before dashing off to campaign for her re-election as president of the local historical society. But when their plans are interrupted by an unexpected city slicker investigating his family history, hidden secrets too close to home are revealed. Ryan and Maggie must decide whether to expose the truth or preserve the reputation of their beloved community.
Does digging up old secrets do more harm than good?
Inspired by the queer history of the Cooma Gaol and its use as a homosexual prison in the 1950s-60s, The Queen’s City of the South shines a light on the challenges and compromises impacting LGBTQIA+ people living in regional Australia today, and explores the reverberating effects on both the Cooma and queer communities.
Creative Team
Playwright: Mark Salvestro
Director: Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Producers: Mark Salvestro and Gavin Roach
Set and Costume Designer: Elle Fitzgerald
Sound Designer: Madeleine Picard
Lighting Designer: Luna Ng
Digital Content Creator: Bojan Bozic
Cast: Jack Calver, Kath Gordon and Mark Salvestro
Reviews
“Salvestro’s intriguing play is grounded in powerful ideas…resonant and meaningful.” – Suzy Wrong, Suzy Goes See
“heartfelt and thoughtful exploration of queer identity, history and community… Playwright Mark Salvestro, alongside Director Ryan Whitworth-Jones, has crafted an evocative story that entertains even as it challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths.” – Paul Chan, What She Just Said
“a humorous and fascinating play concentrating on community, identity and Australia’s devastating treatment of queer individuals.” – Lee Andrews, Australian Arts Review
“the extremely warm and watchable Gordon with impeccable timing and huge, well-measured emotional range.” – Paul Nolan, Sydney Arts Guide
“The Queen’s City of the South has become the superimposition, a new layer of truth over a hushed-up story of denial.” – Aidan Pollock, Honi Soit
“a vital interrogation of our relationship with the past” – Paul Gilchrist, Theatre Red
