Program
Zig Zag Street
Philip Dean, adapted from the novel by Nick Earls
by
Directed by
Jackson Paul and Naomi Hankamer
4th to 6th July 2025
About the author
Nick Earls writes long, short and medium-sized fiction, so far tallying 28 books for adults, teenagers and children. Most of his humorous and popular novels are set in Brisbane.
He is the winner of a number of awards, including a Betty Trask Award (UK) and a Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award.
48 Shades of Brown was a Kirkus Reviews (US) book of the year selection, and was adapted into a feature film. Five of his novels have been adapted into stage plays, including Zig Zag Street.
About the playwright
Philip was born in Queensland and is a graduate of the Queensland College of Art and the University of Queensland. One of Queensland's most popular playwrights, Philip's plays have been produced around Australia and a number of them have been published by Currency Press.
Philip's works include his adaptations of the popular Nick Earls novels Zig Zag Street, After January and 48 Shades of Brown, and the Opera Seeking True South (music by Stephen Leek) which was produced by Opera Queensland in 2001. Other works include First Asylum, Tall Green Stranger, Biting Pavlov, Family Values and Down And Out In Paradise. His popular musical play Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls first produced at La Boite Theatre in 1995, has toured Australia and was broadcast by ABC Radio.
About the play
Richard is twenty-eight and single. More single than he'd like to be.
More single than he'd expected to be, and not coping well.
Since Anna dumped him six months ago he's been trying to find his way again.
He's doing his job badly, he's playing tennis badly, his renovating attempts haven't got past the verandah, and he's wondering when things are going to change. He struggles with the breakup, a dead-end job, and the hilarity of suburban life.
As he stumbles through dating mishaps, awkward encounters, and a search for meaning on Brisbane's quirky Zig Zag Street, Richard’s journey is both relatable and ridiculous.
The Play is adapted from Nick Earl's popular book, Zig Zag Street .
Director
Jackson Paul
Director
Naomi Hankamer
Stage Manager
Jemima Pacey
Sound Designer
Malcolm
Lighting Designer
Tim Bell
Costume Designer
Brigette Newing
Richard
Red Smith
Rachel
Ava Ryan
Hillary
Zoe Mott
Jeff
Henry Solomon
Sal / Renee
Rebecca Schoch
Deb / Girl
Paris Comiskey
Greg / Kevin
Cullyn Beckton
Cast
Richard
Red Smith
Red Smith is, put simply, the pride of the Philippines and Gympie. He is currently completing his degree in Economics/Commerce at UQ and cannot wait to be finished so he can join the rat race. His love for acting stems from doing bible readings for the church at 8 years old. This is also close to the entirety of his acting experience. The rest of his experience comes from everyday interactions. Red has loved learning the ins and outs of Richard's character and cannot wait to bring him to life.
Rachel
Ava Ryan
Ava Ryan is a 20-year-old studying actor known mostly for playing roles exactly like herself. prone to mess, renowned romantic and impartial to a bit of drama she makes her VP debut playing Rachel in Zig Zag Street in 2025!
Hillary
Zoe Mott
Zoe Mott is currently a student at QUT studying a double degree in Law and Creative Industries, (majoring in Drama funnily enough). Growing up in little old Burnie, Tasmania, Zoe had big dreams of being a Hollywood film star, but that was a bit too far away, so she has settled for performing on the stages of Brisbane. Zoe has performed in a handful of shows since moving to the big smoke, and has even tried her hand at writing and Assistant Directing. She loves Australian theatre and attention-seeking, so naturally, Zoe is very excited to bring Zig Zag Street to life.
Jeff
Henry Solomon
Henry began his performance career at the Adelaide Fringe in 2018 and has since worked across theatre and film in Brisbane and beyond. A graduate of the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory, he was recognised with the 2023 Outstanding Achievement award. He was most recently a part of La Boite’s 2024 Assembly program, performing in Underbelly by Grace Wilson. Other stage credits include Night of the Iguana (2024) as Shannon, Equus (2024) as The Horseman & Harry Dalton, The Tragedy of Macbeth (2022) as Macbeth, Algorithm (2023), Behind Closed Doors (2023) and The Universal Language (2022).
Sal / Renee
Rebecca Schoch
This is Rebecca's debut for Villanova PLayers.
Other credits: Underground Theatre: A Treatise On Love; APAC: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hard Times, Everyman; BACKBONE: Potluck; Yonder Music & Arts Festival: Choreographer, Performer Film: Hidden Extracts
Training: Bachelor of Screen & Stage (Acting), Australian Performing Arts Conservatory; Backbone Senior Ensemble 2020 Awards: Australian Performing Arts Conservatory Outstanding Achievement Award 2024.
Deb / Girl
Paris Comiskey
Paris grew up performing in plays, dreaming of the spotlight. Then came the realisation that making it in the acting world is much harder than earning a Bachelor of Business Management. Yet the stage kept calling. The idea for a revue about business was born. Now, they're back, blending business acumen with theatrical flair, proving that you can never ignore the urge to perform for too long.
Greg / Kevin
Cullyn Beckton
Cullyn Beckton has been acting for several years. They’ve previously worked with Villanova in 2024 on PUFFS. They’re excited for Brisbane audiences to see Zig Zag Street a show very close to home.
Crew
Director
Jackson Paul
Jackson Paul is a Brisbane based creative originally from Bundaberg. This is his third show with Villanova Players; the first as Wayne in Puffs and a major role in The Great Gatsby earlier this year. He has also appeared for CTG, Brisbane Arts Theatre, Verum Arts and Vena Cava and Pip Theatre. In 2019 he decided that accountancy was not for him and decided to choose the far more stable career of acting. Now on his second uni degree studying acting at QUT, meaning that if all goes well he will still be unemployable in three years time.
Director
Naomi Hankamer
Naomi Hankamer is a Meanjin based creative, who, like many other arts students, does not know what she will do with her life yet. She has undertaken volunteer crew roles with UQ’s Underground Theatre Company, including productions like X (2022) and its Playground Festival. She has performed in both UQ and University of Manchester shows. Having greatly enjoyed assistant directing a show as part of The University of Manchester Drama Society’s Shorts Festival, she is excited to co-direct Zig Zag Street.
Stage Manager
Jemima Pacey
If you had told Jemima in 2017 that she would be doing theatre in Brisbane, she would have laughed at you. But here we are. Hailing from the sugar cane capital of Bundaberg, Jemima started doing theatre in her gap year and found it pretty fun. However, her career path ultimately led her to committing to a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Masters of Mental Health Practice at university, making breaking into the theatre scene that little bit harder. Through sheer willpower (and support from her amazing friends), she has managed to find her way backstage in various theatres, working on various productions. Jemima is excited to stage manage a full-length play for the first time, and hopes and prays you don’t notice if she messes up.
Sound Designer
Malcolm
MALCOLM is a Meanjin based theatre creative interested in theatre theory, practice, and history. Determined to learn theatre in all its great aspects, MALCOLM is stoked to work as a sound designer for Zig Zag Street, and join the amazing cast and crew in creating a piece that celebrates Meanjin and its people.
Lighting Designer
Tim Bell
Tim Bell (he/they) is theatre maker and journalist working in Magandjin. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at UQ where he is the treasurer of Underground Theatre Company. Tim has put aside his bias for the southside of the river city for this project, immersing himself in the nostalgia of a bygone Brisbane alongside a stellar team of creatives and cast.
His past credits as a lighting designer include: The Vera Watson Wellness Centre by Tony Brumpton, Maggot Therapy by Ella Kratzer and Bawdy Tales & Critical Fails: A Role Play Adventure with Role Initiative Theatre Company.
Costume Designer
Brigette Newing