What's happening at The Ravens? Godot, company news and more.

In this newsletter we take you into the strange and wonderful world of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, we introduce you to the show's acclaimed director, Janice Muller, and we bring you news about how The Ravens Theatre Company is growing — plus some teasers for our supporters about future events.

• 18 September – 3 October 2026
• Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine

Why Godot?

We've been asked “What's so special about Waiting for Godot?” In a word, everything. This is the play that changed the course of theatre in the twentieth century.

Imagine a pre-WW2 theatre of polite conversation, staid dialogue and a predictably structured plot. Now imagine a 42-year-old Irish ex-pat and former French Resistance fighter turning that all on its head to write one of the most extraordinary plays ever created, where nothing happens, no one knows what's going on, yet we as an audience still feel compelled to engage profoundly with both its humour and poignancy.

When the play was first performed in London in 1955, audiences didn't know what to make of it. Two years later, inmates at San Quentin prison in the USA performed it and fell so in love with Beckett they started a theatre group just to perform his plays.

Now the play is considered a work of staggering genius, performed all over the world and thought one of the greatest plays of all time.

We at The Ravens Theatre Company couldn't be more excited that we're giving Castlemaine audiences the chance to experience it.

Q&A with director Janice Muller

Photography: Pia Johnson.

Janice Muller, director of Waiting for Godot, has had a stellar career in Australian theatre. She has developed and directed new work for Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre, Carriageworks, Urban Theatre Projects, ATYP, Old Fitz Theatre, La Mama, Red Stitch, HAU Berlin, Sydney Festival and Queensland Theatre, among others.

What interested you in directing Waiting for Godot?

It's a hugely influential text in the history of theatre. Beckett's writing was formally so different when it first appeared that it completely changed what was possible for playwrights ever since. You can see Godot's influence everywhere in contemporary culture.

What will audiences get out of seeing this play?

It's a stimulating piece on so many fronts — I think there's something in it for everyone.

What have been the most exciting discoveries?

How much fun I'm having. Also that Gus is not only a lovely human and wonderful performer — but a fine barista.

What have you learnt about yourself during the process?

That I work better with formal constraint rather than with complete freedom. It's a while since I've directed a classic and it is wonderful to work with a piece of writing that has been so carefully and thoughtfully constructed.

Why should audiences come and see Waiting for Godot?

Live theatre is about being together with other humans, sharing an experience together — nothing beats it in my opinion.

Oh My Godot — fundraiser

Our cast are a somewhat musical bunch, and they thought it might be a bit unfair if they couldn't play at least one gig together.

To help raise money for the company, they took over the Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine on Friday 21 August — a solo set from Tim Rogers, on his lonesome, followed by a full band featuring Tim, Gus Read-Hill, Tim Heath and Luke Lennox, with Michael “Fabio” Vickers on the tubs.

The Ravens are growing

We're very pleased to announce that Jane Montgomery Griffiths, director of our last production, The Seagull, has officially joined The Ravens management team as Co-Artistic Director together with our founding members Tim Heath and Shelley Krape.

Jane brings decades of experience as an actor who has worked at Malthouse, MTC, Red Stitch, Bell Shakespeare and Belvoir Street — as well as the many years she ran Monash University's Centre for Theatre and Performance.

The Ravens will play a crucial part in the artistic life of our community. Great theatre shouldn't be a luxury and it's a wonderful thing that we can work with local artists and audiences to keep bringing high quality drama to Castlemaine.

2027 and beyond

Creative discussions are well underway for our programme for 2027 and beyond, and we can't wait to share with you what we have in store — watch this space for announcements in the coming months.

As The Ravens grows, we'll be announcing new initiatives and programmes and a number of other exciting events to bring live theatre to our community.

If you are interested in supporting The Ravens as a donor or sponsor, please get in touch.

We got merch!

Tote bags — $30. Printed by local legends Oni Streetwear in Hargreaves St, with two designs to choose from. Sturdy, with an internal pocket. Postage or local pick up.

Ravens pin — $8. Put a bird on it! Make those winter coats sing (or croak). Postage or local pick up.

Message us via our contact page with your order.

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From Castlemaine, with love —

The Ravens