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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21 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Liam Burke: What Netflix Buying Warner Bros Could Mean for Cinema

News & Politics, Society & Culture, TV & Film

Netflix’s move to buy Warner Bros has raised questions about the future of cinema. Associate Professor Liam Burke explains the ...

21 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why Christmas Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads

Music, Popular Culture, Psychology, Society & Culture

Christmas music triggers instant memories, emotions and associations, often within seconds of hearing it. Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne explains why ...

21 Dec 2025

Lee Knight: Preventing Domestic Violence Before It Happens

Health, Personal Safety, Psychology, Relationships, Science & Medicine

A world-first Australian trial is exploring whether treating impulsivity could help prevent domestic and family violence before harm occurs. Lee ...