The Very Last List of Vivian Walker

A world premiere musical and theatrical performance of Megan Albany’s acclaimed debut!

Based on the acclaimed Banjo Prize short-listed novel, The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, this new show brings together a performance of excerpts of Megan Albany’s acclaimed debut performed by actor Madeleine West with a live performance of its accompanying soundtrack by master musician Marc Mittag and the author.

The Very Last List of Vivian Walker is a darkly funny and moving depiction of a woman who is dying but still has a list of jobs to do, such as cleaning the fridge, tidying the playroom, organising her own funeral and updating her husband and son's to-do lists.

The Very Last List of Vivian Walker will make you snort tea out your nose with laughter, make you ugly cry, make you cringe and make you want to embrace humanity in all its clumsiness, selfishness, meanness, beauty and awkwardness.

SINGER/SONGWRITER/AUTHOR: Megan Albany
ACTOR: Madeleine West
MUSICIAN/SONGWRITER: Marc Mittag

Megan Albany is a proud First Nations woman of Kalkadoon and European heritage, and has worked as an editor, scriptwriter, songwriter/composer and journalist. Her debut novel, The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, released in 2022, was one of only four works shortlisted for the 2020 Banjo Prize (Harper Collins), Highly Commended in the Australian Society of Authors 2020 Award Mentorship Program and has received glowing praise from national media.

Madeleine West became a rapidly well-known face with her role as Dionne Bliss in Australia’s longest-running series, Neighbours, and on other hit series Underbelly, Playing for Keeps and House Husbands. She also has a natural flair for comedy, having performed a weekly live improvisation show and as a regular guest on Rove Live, Talking Bout Your Generation, and most recently, The Panel. A committed environmentalist, Madeleine is the mother of six children and continues to evolve as a performer.

Master musician Marc Mittag plays the guitar like a sculptor, taking lumps of musical clay and shaping them into something beautiful. He recorded his acclaimed debut album, The Interview, in New York and toured with Herbie Hancock’s band, the Headhunters. He has released two previous albums with Megan and the couple have performed at festivals around the world. Their compositions have been licensed to and featured in shows as varied as Rove Live, The Panel and Neighbours. Marc co-wrote and produced The Soundtrack - The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, released in August 2022.

PRAISE FOR THE VERY LAST LIST OF VIVIAN WALKER

"A heartbreakingly funny, unflinching, unforgettable debut. I just loved Vivian Walker!” - Liane Moriarty, author of Big Little Lies

"Compelling. Beautifully relatable. [A] touching story that provides insight into how even the most ordinary person can leave a lot of love behind.” - Books+Publishing

"An abundance of humour, spirit and profundity” ​- Better Reading

PRAISE FOR THE SOUNDTRACK

"Even for those who have not yet read or fallen in love with Megan's dying yet hilarious main character Vivian, this album works as a standalone musical experience and moves from strong, catchy, soulful tunes to gentle, fragile, poetic insights that reflect the complexity of modern relationships.” - female.com.au

VENUE INFORMATION: Please note the Brunswick Picture House is located in Brunswick Heads NSW, in the Northern Rivers region (not in Brunswick VIC). Please select your tickets carefully as no refund or credit will be granted for errors in identifying the venue location.