Damian Callinan Double Feature

On the night of his dad’s funeral in 2018, Damian and his siblings discovered a diary penned by his mother in 1946. Whether it was a stand-alone journal or the sole survivor of a collection they’ll never know, but from the moment that Damian began reading excerpts to the family, he knew it was something special & suspected that it would become the focus for a new show. Charting the series of events leading to, and following the meeting of his parents, the diary is both a love story and a time capsule of life as Australians tried to readjust after the trials of WW2. The show impacted with audiences even before it hit the stage with Damian being interviewed on ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler about his parent’s story. The show resonated even more, and Damian soon realised that the show’s themes of love and loss would lead to the show having a long life. Having played at Melbourne Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Brisbane Comedy Festival & Perth Fringeworld where it won a Best Comedy Award, the show then toured nationally with Regional Arts Victoria in late 2023. With many venues missing out, Damian agreed to remount the show in 2024 to selected small venues in Victoria & NSW.

‘A storyteller at the top of his game. Such dextrous movement between the funny, the sad and the beautiful.'’ - Rob Carlton [actor, film maker, storyteller]

‘Utterly brilliant. What a work of gorgeous humanity. I needed that. The world needs that. I’m awestruck.'’ - Kate Mulvany [actor, playwright]

'Sublime, heartwarming, hilarious - an absolute triumph.’ - Sammy J [comedian, ABC broadcaster & presenter]