The Wolves Theatre Company's Programme

History of The Play

Marooned was initially rehearsed in a living room, and from its opening night in a
small theatre in Prahran Marooned has been warmly accepted. It has since toured
regional Victoria where it has attracted standing ovations and a loyal following.
The MTC invited The Wolves to stage it in one of their theatres, then the Chief of
Army invited them to Canberra to perform for the Chain of Command.
In 2022 Marooned was used under the direction of British Director Lindsay Posner
for a Conference of Psychotherapists in the UK. It was supported by MIND UK and
other mental Health organisations.
It has been called a revolution by a top army psychologist and has also attracted the
backing of a former Australian of the year, Simon McKeon.
But the real gift of the play is the conversation afterwards. People often hang around
for well over an hour wanting to talk warmly and tearily and openly about suicide.
Toured town to town we believe this play has the power and the empathy and
resilient humour to effectively join in the growing attack on the stubborn silence. We
really do believe that because we’ve seen the reactions.
I have decided to get Marooned back on the road. My goal is to also make it into a
feature film and so to do that I need to raise the finances. As a film it will be able to
reach a wider audience which in turn will be able to do more good. Rohana

Ambassadors for Marooned

Marooned is such a powerful tool it sells itself as it has proven over and over. We have now got The Male Hug supporting us as Ambassadors and are talking with another 3 groups that have approached me. One of these being The Outback Mind Foundation. Marooned has the potential and will continue to be used as a tool for Men’s Groups and organisations.

If you would like to read our prospectus for the film please contact us here
The Prospectus

If you are interested in donating or investing in Marooned the film,
here is the link

or if you are a business and want to discuss having Marooned come to you, please email
Contact us

Writer Michael Gray Griffith

Michael is a prolific writer with a unique voice. He has written several plays.
Prior to the world stopping his play The Shadows and the Hues was set to be
Directed by Bruce Bersford who said of his writing. "While I can see the influences of
Pinter, this is not Pinter. This is an original voice."
"Michael Gray Griffith has an extraordinary gift as a writer, together with his partner
Rohana Hayes they are creating, producing, and directing some of the most
poignant, exciting, funny scripts I have read in a long time" ~Amanda Muggleton
"Michael shits out plays like Richard Rodgers shat out tunes"
~John Wood
“Michael is an outstanding playwright. He has a great gift in creating uneasy ripples
under everyday events and conversation, placing them with a strong ambience. His
talent is matched only by his
compassion.”
Aarne Neeme Director
Marooned was written after the suicide of an actor friend Guy May. This play is
dedicated to Guy.

Producer Rohana Hayes

I have been Producing plays with Michael Gray Griffith as The Wolves Theatre Company
since 2015. Unfortunately, we had to put the Company on pause for a couple of years, (we
all know why!) but with the problems in society increasing and suicide especially I have
decided to re-ignite what greatness we were doing before the mess of the last few years.
With no funding and often challenging time frames and unexpected occurrences that happen
with independent theatre instead of being fazed I try to focus on and see the end vision. This
version of Marooned has not been without its obstacles but with this joyous team and this
beautiful script I believe we have created something very powerful.

Director John Orcsik

John Orcsik is a Writer, Director and Actor, known for his work on stage, the small
screen and the silver screen over the last 60 years. John started TAFTA on the Gold
Coast in 1994 and has since been sharing his insights into the Film and Television
industry with students across Australia for the past twenty-five years, helping nurture
local and international actors. During this period, John developed and perfected his
unique and powerful ‘Emotions’ technique, which is not taught at any other acting
school in the world.
He has performed in countless Australian film and television productions with major
sustaining roles in numerous TV series and continues to work as an actor alongside
his desire for mentoring new generations of performers.
John’s Film & Television credits include: Cop Shop, Neighbours, Home & Away,
Casino Reef, Stingers, The Saddle Club, The Condemned, Pawno, The Doctor
Blake Mysteries, and, more recently in 2021, Superwog and New Gold Mountain.

Cassandra Campbell-Smith Production/
Tech operator

Cass has worked extensively in the mental health field in pre- and post-vention suicide over
the last few years. She has recently moved to Melbourne and completed the full time course
at TAFTA to follow her passions in acting. She has previously directed and acted in short
plays and Shakespeare’s The Tempest and is now starting her acting journey in the film and
television space. She has acted in some short films and music videos and is continuing her
training.

CAST

Chris Connelly plays 1620

Chris Has worked extensively in Stage, Television and Film. MTC productions include Happy Ending, After Shocks (Green Room award for best ensemble acting), Pax Americana, The Caretaker, Never in My Lifetime, A Fortunate Life and Wait Until Dark. Other theatre credits include: When the rain stops falling, Barassi (Ron Barassi) Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,

Neil Labute’s In A Forest Dark and Deep, Bouncers, Hotel Sorrento, David Williamson’s Face to Face and The Club (2007), Jenny Kemp’s Kitten Australian tour of West Side Story. For Red Stitch: Fury, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later and Harvest. Chris’ solo shows include The Dream of a Ridiculous Man (Playbox Theatre, Edinburgh, Covent Garden). Television credits

include Deadline Gallipoli, Bed of Roses, Stingers, Blue Heelers, Good Guys Bad Guys, Neighbours and The Adventures of Lano and Woodley. His film credits include John Doe, Michael Rymer’s Face To Face, Queen of the Damned, Angel Baby, Blue Sky Blood Moon and Unfinished Business. Chris has also collaborated with refugees and people from developing countries and was the co-founder of the Maya Shakti drama school/company in Sri Lanka.

Darren Mort plays 379

Darren was initially trained at the College of the Arts and has been acting for many years. He is drawn to the theatre and has performed in many shows including more recently The Wrong Horse, The Memory of Water, Desire Under the Elms, Away and Mud N’Blood. Darren also have appeared in musical theatre including the Full Monty, Into the Woods, Pippin, Chess, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and many others. He has also had guest roles on Neighbors, Blue Heelers, City Homicide, Lano & Woodley, a regular role on Surprise Surprise and more recently he has appeared in Warnie. Darren has his own production company and is a co-founder of a children’s charity, TO BE LOVED NETWORK. His film TOMMY has been an international success. Wilkinson Publishing is launching his first novel, ISLA’S SONG in September, 2023. Darren is honored to appear as 379 in Marooned, being such a compelling piece of theatre.

Nate Amare plays 134

is a 23 year old actor that was born and raised in New Zealand, currently residing in Melbourne, Australia. The self-proclaimed industry rookie graduated from TAFTA (The Australian Film & Television Academy) in 2022 and is taking fearless strides into the world of cinema. His first time on the television screen was for a Toyota TVC and after that a role for NCIS: Sydney. But he’s no stage virgin. He was in his school play for 2 years, his first show being Alice @ Wonderland, and the second, Mulan. Nate is an animated and intense performer that commands attention when it’s his moment.

Rohana Hayes plays 768

Rohana first started performing in London where she acted in numerous plays including The Three Sisters, The Maids and various physical theatre, dance theatre projects. She came to Australia 24 years ago to get warm and ended up in Melbourne where she met Michael who wrote her a one woman play Decoupage Skin. Together they worked on many projects before forming The Wolves TC in 2015 where they produced Michael’s plays. Rohana has performed in several performances of Marooned, as well as The Magnolia Tree, La Mama and RAV funded Tour, The Seagull King and the all-female play Adrifting

She has also acted in both short and feature films in both London and Australia along with small TV roles including Please like me. Picnic at Hanging Rock and more.

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So Many Thanks to the following

Firstly a massive THANK YOU to John Orcsik. He has been incredible!

The Male Hug

The National Theatre St Kilda for the Gobos they have lent us

Michael Stevanoski who saved the day with his ute, and his incredible help

John Orcsik and all at TAFTA for their rehearsal space and welcomeness

Daniel for last minute Tech help!

The Wonderful Mills and Tracy for photography

Jennifer and Tracy for their help selling tickets.

Chris Walz for his help in general

And Allan, Ash and Andrew at The Alex Theatre

If you or someone you know is struggling

Crisis support can be found at Lifeline ( 131114)

Suicide Call Back service 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue 1300 224636

Marooned was initially rehearsed in a living room, and from its opening night in a
small theatre in Prahran Marooned has been warmly accepted. It has since toured
regional Victoria where it has attracted standing ovations and a loyal following.
The MTC invited The Wolves to stage it in one of their theatres, then the Chief of
Army invited them to Canberra to perform for the Chain of Command.
In 2022 Marooned was used under the direction of British Director Lindsay Posner
for a Conference of Psychotherapists in the UK. It was supported by MIND UK and
other mental Health organisations.
It has been called a revolution by a top army psychologist and has also attracted the
backing of a former Australian of the year, Simon McKeon.
But the real gift of the play is the conversation afterwards. People often hang around
for well over an hour wanting to talk warmly and tearily and openly about suicide.
Toured town to town we believe this play has the power and the empathy and
resilient humour to effectively join in the growing attack on the stubborn silence. We
really do believe that because we’ve seen the reactions.
I have decided to get Marooned back on the road. My goal is to also make it into a
feature film and so to do that I need to raise the finances. As a film it will be able to
reach a wider audience which in turn will be able to do more good. Rohana