JOY Drive

10 May 2023

Stage Premiere of “Loaded” – Chris Tsiolkas’ debut novel

Performing Arts

Almost 30 years ago, Christos Tsiolkas’ debut novel Loaded painted a portrait of a young man who is restlessly searching for himself in opposing worlds. To this day, the story resonates with migrant and queer communities as a reminder that you are not alone.  Ari (Danny Ball, A Beginner’s Guide to Grief) is 19 and unemployed—he doesn’t want to be gay and he doesn’t want to be Greek. He doesn’t want to be anything. Drawn by the alluring pulse of Collingwood’s gay clubs, he finds an escape, and a family in the form of drag queens and one-night stands. First adapted as the award-winning 1998 film Head On, then reimagined as an audio adaptation in 2020, Loaded takes the mainstage with director Stephen Nicolazzo (Looking for Alibrandi) joining writers Dan Giovannoni and Christos Tsiolkas (Merciless Gods) to present Ari’s anarchic odyssey that sees him travel the four corners of Melbourne.

We chat to the Director – Stephen Nicolazzo.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:13 — 11.3MB)

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14 Dec 2025

Leo Stubbing: The Songs That Shaped 2025

Music, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

From Kylie Minogue’s record-breaking Tension tour to Taylor Swift’s chart-dominating year, Leo Stubbing from The Sound Museum looks back on ...

14 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why Sad Christmas Songs Feel So Right

Music, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

Many of the Christmas songs we return to each year are filled with heartbreak, nostalgia and longing. Associate Professor Lauren ...

14 Dec 2025

Kate Bailey: DIVA at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts

Arts, History, Performing Arts, Personal Journals, Popular Culture, Society & Culture, Visual Arts

The Australian Museum of Performing Arts opens with DIVA, a major international exhibition created by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. ...