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The Fringe play I can't wait to see

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The Nugget
March 28, 2025

★ THE FRINGE PLAY I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ★

Harry and Letty Tseng star in Constellations, showing at Wesley Hill Hall

Imagine an alternate version of every moment of your life existed in unending parallel universes. Sliding Doors times 1,000.

This is the premise of Constellations, a play written by Nick Payne and being presented at Castlemaine Fringe.

Local actors Letty and Harry Tseng star in the show and are directed by long-time friends and theatre makers, Dave Brown and Teresa Conicella.

"The plot involves a man and a woman who meet, and I guess they fall in love, but this is not a love story," Dave says.

"The woman is an astrophysicist, of all things, and he's a bee keeper. So, they come from very binary oppositions of the workplace and life itself. They meet, they fall in love and then something sad happens and they have to deal with it.

As the play unfolds, it raises questions about Voluntary Assisted Dying and the ethical struggles that arise in end-of-life decision making. It's a deeply personal decision shaped by love and the desire to be free.

Just as the Netflix series Adolescence raises tough questions about modern parenting, "Constellations" will get you thinking about your values and beliefs about the end of life.

"It's interesting how you can sometimes use art as a conduit to get people talking about the tricky stuff, in a safe space. We were really interested in doing that by presenting this play," Letty says.

"Come see this show, come see these people struggling with these decisions but when you go home maybe this will spark something that makes you think about those choices in your life."

Experts will join the actors in a Q&A panel discussions after the matinee shows on Sun, 30 Mar, and Sun, 6 Apr to help the audience talk through issues the play brings up.

Cameron Singleton will share his experience of caring for his father, Barry Singleton, and navigating Voluntary Assisted Dying. Dr Louise Bettiol, local mum, Sarah, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and Castlemaine's favourite death-literacy advocate, Hayley West, will also join the Q&A sessions.

"It's very exciting to be able to do artistic work, but it's even more exciting and more important that we have discussion afterwards," Dave says.

"That's the kind of work that we love doing and it is all about connecting with community."

Constellations is the first project by Black Stitch Players -- a theatre company that Letty and Harry have formed with Dave and Teresa.

Letty jokes that, in her opinion, Harry is finally ready to team up with her long term mentors and co-creators, Dave and Teresa.

"I have wanted to work with my husband for a while but we have different ways that we work. Dave and Teresa taught me how to be very self-sufficient as a performer: How to build your own show, do the publicity yourself, ad hoc things if you have to, to get something up and going," Letty says.

"My husband came from NIDA (The National Institute for Dramatic Art) and had a very traditional acting experience when he came out of uni.

"I thought, it's the right time. Harry's really interested in doing his own work, he's open to creating content. So, I reached out to Dave and Teresa and they said yes, luckily."

Not many people can say that acting brought them to Castlemaine. Liam Neeson, Letty and Harry all have this in common.

Letty and Harry were living in Melbourne when Harry was cast in a lead role on Season 3 of the TV show, Glitch, which was shot in Castlemaine.

"At the time, our daughter had just been born, she was only a few weeks old. So, Harry said to the producers 'Look, my only worry is I'm going to be away from my daughter and I don't know about that.' They said, 'You can bring your family with you,'" Letty says.

"I got to be here for a few months and explore Castlemaine while Harry worked very hard. We just fell in love with the place and went back to Melbourne and went, 'If we ever move or settle down somewhere, I reckon this would be a great place for our kids and us.'

A few years later they made the move.

"We've been here for about two-and-a-half years and it's the first place since Newcastle that, when I drive back into town after being away for a long time I go, 'ah it's so good to be home. It just feels like home and we love it here," Letty says.

Unlike Liam Neeson, Harry and Letty are staying put and sharing their dramatic talent with the town.

This year, Letty joined Movement Zone where she is teaching two drama classes for primary-school-age kids.

"To be honest, I was petrified at first because I have not taught in a long time and I thought, 'Oh my goodness, what am I going to teach them,' and now towards the end of the term, it's my joy. Every time I get to teach them I walk out of there skipping," Letty says.

"School for some children, definitely for me... was very difficult. So, to have a space for an hour at the end of the school day to come in and do some character work, to play some drama games, to have fun and improvise, is just a beautiful opportunity. I feel very grateful.

❀ GIVEAWAY TIME, BABY! ❀

Dance is life, friends. I love to get my dag on and boogie. Always makes me feel better about the world.

The Nugget has teamed up with Country Struts to give you a bit of dance joy. We are giving away two tickets to a beginner boot scooting class on Sunday, 30 Mar at 4:00 PM at the Castlemaine Town Hall

You are guaranteed to get a giggle and a workout. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned strutter - everyone is welcome!

Click on the Insta post below and enter to win.

♡˖ EVENTS ˖♡

𖥔 TALK TO MOI PLOISE 𖥔

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