Telethon Kid

Campaign Image for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Telethon Kid

By Alistair Baldwin

21 July 2023 – 13 August 2023 Beckett Theatre

Malthouse Theatre,

Theatre Drama New Work World Premiere

Turns out a rare degenerative disease is just what you need to live a little #itsgivingblessed

Sam’s adoring subscribers would describe him as an icon, and Instagram’s honey of disability pride. Sam would describe himself as having one foot in the grave, the other in the bed of his latest hook up—turns out a rare degenerative disease is just what you need to live a little #itsgivingblessed

After rising to fame as the poster child of Perth Children’s Hospital 2007 Telethon, Sam reunites alongside his paediatric doctor-come-lover when they are nominated for a coveted research grant from big pharma. In a sexy ethical nightmare, the influencer's platform probes the shortcomings of an industry that repeatedly fights those whom it’s meant to help.

Comedian, thought leader, and disabled ingenue Alistair Baldwin’s debut comedy starring Ashley Apap, Max Brown(Nosferatu), Effie Nkrumah and William Rees, and directed by Besen Family Artist Program 2020 alumni Hannah Fallowfield gleefully straddles the ambiguities of doctor-patient relationships and agency for self-expression.

"Wades into complex waters with verve and humour"
— Australian Arts Review

"Telethon Kid is one of 2023’s most interesting productions"
— Lilithia Reviews

"With its intelligent insights and well crafted humour, this play warmly invites audiences to think about lived experiences and ethical matters most of us have probably barely considered before"
— Limelight

"Funny precisely where it is dark and provocative"
— The Guardian

"Careens from funny to uncomfortable to revealing"
— The Age

"Superbly written, brilliantly performed"
— The Blurb

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Ashley Apap. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and Ashley Apap. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Effie Nkrumah. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown, Effie Nkrumah, and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Effie Nkrumah. Photographer: Tamarah Scott
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Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Ashley Apap. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and Ashley Apap. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Effie Nkrumah. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown, Effie Nkrumah, and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Max Brown and William Rees. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: William Rees and Max Brown. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Production still for the 2023 season of 'Telethon Kid.' In photo: Effie Nkrumah. Photographer: Tamarah Scott

Cast

Ashley Apap

Ashley Apap

Performer (Evie)

Max Brown

Max Brown

Performer (Doc)

Effie Nkrumah

Effie Nkrumah

Performer (KT)

William Rees

William Rees

Performer (Sam)

Creatives

Christina Smith

Christina Smith

Set & Costume Designer

Rachel Lee

Rachel Lee

Lighting Designer

Beau  Esposito

Beau Esposito

Composition & Sound Designer

Mark Pritchard

Mark Pritchard

Dramaturg

Amy Cater

Amy Cater

Intimacy Coordinator

Marline Zaibak

Marline Zaibak

Casting Director

Cointha Walkeden

Cointha Walkeden

Stage Manager

Zoe Boesen

Zoe Boesen

Disability Culture & Access Consultant

Production Program