Theatre

A Brief Episode

An odyssey so strange it could only be true.

$29.00
Sessions & Tickets View Comments
A marble statue of a man's head, badly cracked, in front of a green background. The face has a moustache drawn onto it in marker.

Image Credit: Chris Tomkins

  • Written and Performed by: Ash Flanders

  • Directed by: Stephen Nicolazzo

  • Supported by: The Melbourne Athenaeum Playwright in Residence program

A Brief Episode invites you to take a comic journey of mythic proportions. From the team that brought you the critically acclaimed 'End Of.' comes an all new singular show about the dangers of your dreams (possibly) coming true.

Join our nameless protagonist (it's Ash) as he attempts the impossible – to find a place on Aussie TV for a mouthy middle-aged homosexual with too many opinions. Naturally, this quest takes him to Greece, birthplace of the Hero's Journey, where instead of finding structure... he loses it entirely.

What emerges is a vivid, surreal and surprising 65-minute true story about wild dogs, moustaches, runaway Americans, hospitable Albanians, vapid Australians, pornographers, widows, hawks, hikers, hairdressers, slums, gangs, generous mothers and selfish little children.

As our hero is pulled between life and death, order and anarchy, fight or flight, you'll begin to wonder how any of us can face the outside world – or worse, ourselves.

Praise for End Of.:
★★★★★ "Discerning. Masterful. Brilliant." – Theatre People
★★★★1/2 "A gem of a performance. Fierce, funny and poignant" – Arts Hub
★★★★ "Unmissable" – Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ "Magnetic and utterly persuasive" – Suzy Goes See
★★★★ "So funny and clever and heart-rending – the audience were twisting in knots over whether to laugh, cry or vomit; mostly it was all three.” – Theatre Thoughts
★★★★ "“Fleet in wit, cattily ironic in his observations, he’s a self-aware diva of the absurd, with a manic whim to plunge with theatrical flourish into gallows humour.” – Limelight Magazine

This project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund

About Ash Flanders & Stephen Nicolazzo

Ash Flanders is a theatrical nuisance from sunny Melbourne. As one half of Sisters Grimm he co-wrote and produced over a dozen shows including Summertime in the Garden of Eden (Griffin Theatre), Little Mercy (STC), The Sovereign Wife (MTC), Calpurnia Descending (Malthouse/STC), and Lilith: The Jungle Girl (MTC). Most recently he wrote SS Metaphor and This Is Living, both for Malthouse Theatre.

Stephen Nicolazzo was recently appointed as Artistic Director of BRINK, Adelaide. He was previously the founder and Artistic Director of Little Ones Theatre, with credits including Loaded (Malthouse Theatre), Looking for Alibrandi (Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir), Merciless Gods (Arts Centre Melbourne, Griffin Theatre Company), and Abigail’s Party (Melbourne Theatre Company).

As a team, Ash and Stephen have presented countless shows including End Of. (Griffin Theatre Company, Darebin Arts Speakeasy), Meme Girls (Malthouse Theatre), Playing to Win (Arts Centre Melbourne), Special Victim (Feast Festival) and Ash Flanders is Nothing (Adelaide Cabaret Festival).

They’re a lot.

  • Duration: 65 minutes

  • Age suitability: M

  • Event warnings: Haze Effects, Mild Coarse Language.

  • Content warnings: Violence, Alcohol Use, Racism, Death, War, Mental Health, Animal Cruelty.

  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, VIC, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, from there head right to get to the Loading Dock.If you need step-free access, head to the driveway located on the left-hand side of the main entrance on Lygon Street. The driveway will lead you into the courtyard. From the courtyard, there will be a lift on your right. Head to the first floor and turn left. Continue down the corridor, the entrance to Solidarity Hall is on the left. Volunteers will be available along the route to assist you if needed. Please don't hesitate to ask for help

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

  • Full: $29.00

  • Hump Day Discount: $21.75

  • Extra Applause: $39.00

  • Blak Tix: $10.00

‘An energetic monologue that folds in unbridled artistic passion... sassily snappy... uproariously funny.’ – Time Out

timeout.com

'Flanders immediately put me in mind of The White Lotus character Armond. Both are armed with a supercilious smile that only just manages to conceal their resentment at being made to dance like a monkey.' – The Saturday Paper

thesaturdaypaper.com.au

'A Brief Episode is clever, entertaining narrative comedy by a first-rate comedic writer and seasoned performer and is well worth catching this Melbourne Fringe Festival.' – ArtsHub

artshub.com.au

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date Time Venue

Wednesday, 02 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

Hump Day
 Past Event

Thursday, 03 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Friday, 04 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Saturday, 05 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Sunday, 06 October 2024

6:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Wednesday, 09 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

Hump Day
 Past Event

Thursday, 10 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Friday, 11 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Saturday, 12 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Sunday, 13 October 2024

6:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

Sold Out
 Past Event

Thursday, 17 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Friday, 18 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Saturday, 19 October 2024

7:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

 Past Event

Sunday, 20 October 2024

6:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall

Sold Out
 Past Event

You may also like…

  • The Story of Cerberus: A Very Good Boy

    A mythological musical for the god of mankind's best friends.

    Created and Performed by Abigail Banister-Jones
    Dates 01 - 05 Oct (60min)
    Venue Nicholas Building
    more less
    Abigail has brown hair in space buns to emulate dog ears, wearing a big brown fur cape and a crushed velvet gown. She stands on a make-shift ferry across the river styx with a lantern in one hand, draping her arm over her head, and a glass of white wine in the other. Her eyes are closed and she is smiling.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Anaesthesia

    An intense exploration of three young women living with serious medical conditions.

    Performed by Lauren Huggard
    Dates 12 - 14 Oct (1 hour 45 minutes)
    Venue Theatre Works - Explosives Factory
    more less
    A shadow stands behind of a waterfall , reaching out toward the camera.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • The Axe in the Ceiling

    A contemporary take on a classic household tale. An absurd love story with surprising layers.

    Written and Directed by Jaya Berged
    Dates 12 - 20 Oct (60min)
    Venue The Motley Bauhaus - Theatrette
    more less
    An Indian woman draped in a black, red, and gold sari holding an axe looks up towards the sky. She is leaning against a tree, there are other trees and a path in the background.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Years Years Bears

    A dark comedy about cults, community and true crime podcasts.

    Written and Directed by Cassandra-Elli Yiannacou
    Dates 16 - 20 Oct (60min)
    Venue Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Corner Store
    more less
    One blonde woman with smeared lipstick, sunglasses, a scarf and a fur coat looks shocked, while another blonde woman also in sunglasses and a scar, and a long red coat stands behind her menacingly. The woman in the red coat has her her left hand wrapped around the woman in front of her, and her right hand smearing the woman in front of hers lipstick in a way that suggests she had her hand over her mouth.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Shitbag

    A one-person dark comedy about Crohn’s Disease, mania and casual sex.

    Created and Performed by Hayley Edwards
    Dates 02 - 18 Oct (55min)
    Venues Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room, Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room, Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers
    more less
    Hayley Edwards sits on an accessible toilet seat wearing a white hospital gown and holding a toilet roll with their shoulder revealed flirtatiously. The background is a purple-lavender colour.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • ADMINISTRATION

    An undiagnosed autistic kid's perspective on life, death, religion and dance

    Created and Performed by Adeline Close
    Dates 07 - 13 Oct (50min)
    Venue The Motley Bauhaus - The Cellar
    more less
    Person with blue eyes and brown curly hair in two buns with pink ribbons wearing a pink organza dress. They have colourful pom poms stuck to their face with a concerning expression in their eyes. Their hand covers their mouth with a red smile drawn on it, as they are framed in pink background that blends with their dress colour.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Alexander Powers

    What is it like to have sex with a trans woman?

    Created and Performed by Alexander Powers
    Dates 08 - 10 Oct (50min)
    Venue Miscellania
    more less
    A portrait photo of a 33 year old trans woman with long dark brown hair. She has smudged pink lipstick, is wearing a sleeveless beige top, and has a tattoo of a cartoon villain on her chest.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Victory Lap

    A nostalgia-fuelled, love-sick swim into the acute melancholia of being.

    Written and Directed by Mashaka Gunnulson
    Dates 03 - 08 Oct (50min)
    Venue Artemisia Gallery & Event Space
    more less
    Adam Marks, an actor with short brown hair, a grey beanie and an earring, stares nostalgically into the camera, with the beachside hazy in the background.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • What a Steal!

    A sleazy used car dealership on the edge of crisis takes the stage for a new musical.

    Written by Matt Chan
    Dates 15 - 17 Oct (110min)
    Venue Chapel Off Chapel - The Loft
    more less
    Two shady car dealers dressed in cheap, ill-fitting suits are bickering over a car key. Their boss looks over their shoulders, looking unconcerned and mildly interested by their behaviour.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship)

    A love letter to best friendship from acclaimed indie theatre artists VIMH.

    Presented by VIMH
    Dates 09 - 13 Oct (80min)
    Venue La Mama Courthouse
    more less
    Two people dressed in blue polo shirts and legionnaires hats, embracing each other with smiles on their faces, in front of a bright pink background.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Beowulf: Reforged

    A searingly contemporary translation of this ancient epic where heroes and monsters roam the earth.

    Created and Performed by Felix Nobis
    Dates 02 - 12 Oct (60min)
    Venue Waterside Forge
    more less
    Two figures are staring at each other in front of a fire while sparks fly all around them. On the left is a figure wearing an ornate helmet which reflects the light from the fire. On the right is an older white man with stubble, staring intently back at the helmet.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information
  • Between the Curtains

    A poignant and uplifting show about hospital life through the eyes of a chronically ill patient.

    Created and Performed by Anita Lovell
    Dates 09 - 13 Oct (55min)
    Venue The MC Showroom - The Showroom
    more less
    Female with brown hair and two plaits looks wide-eyed at the camera. She has a nasal cannula hanging from her nose and she is holding onto a green bed pan and IV stand.
    Genre: Theatre
    More Information

    • Find similar shows

    See All Guides
  • Queer AF
  • Festival Hub Events
  • Theatre Events
  • SALTY
  • BITTER
  • SPICY
  • Previous Award Winners
  • Fringe Guarantee
  • Pushing the comfort zone
  • Early Halloween Guide to Fringe
  • Judge's Pick