White Pearl
Co-produced by Sydney Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta
On tour in 2021-2022
Director: Priscilla Jackman
Writer: Anchuli Felicia King
A play that is a ruthless entertaining portrait of toxic corporate culture, casual racism and the complexity of pan-Asian relations
Music Composed by Me-Lee Hay
The sonic world identifies with the strong women characters of this brutally honest script. A mashup of visceral choir techniques, bold orchestral percussion and brass sprinkled with drones and distorted cello and guitar for good measure.
Photos by Philip Erbacher
4 1/2 stars Limelight Magazine
4 stars Time Out
4 stars Sydney Morning Herald
Guards at the Taj
Produced by National Theatre of Parramatta
Director: Bali Padda
Writer: Rajiv Josef
Composer and Sound Designer: Me-Lee Hay
“Imagine the black-humoured banter of Waiting for Godot dressing the bloodiest deeds of Greek tragedy, and you are near the mark of this deeply disturbing and yet engrossing play, stunningly realised in a National Theatre of Parramatta production by first-time professional director Bali Padda.”. Read the full SMH review HERE
The score brought a large cinematic-orchestral sound to the theatre with homages to traditional Indian instrumentation and alarps, coupled with dark menacing tones as the horrors unfolded. Thanks to Georgia Collins for the extra sound design and effects.
4 1/2 stars Sydney Morning Herald
4 stars Artshub
Yellow Yellow Sometimes Blues
A new Australian play written by Noëlle Janaczewska funded by Create NSW.
Performed at The Joan, Penrith over 2 weeks Nov 2018
A story of Iris and Leo; two outsiders peeking in at a world of money, power and gossip as they prepare canapés and cocktails for a debaucherous gathering of Sydney’s cultural elite. Tracing the roots of Sydney’s early Modernist thinking
Director: Nick Atkins
Cast: Adam Booth and Kate Worsley
Music composed and performed live by Me-Lee Hay
(Cello with looping)
Launch Pad
Launch Pad, a double bill theatre show produced by National Theatre of Parramatta @ Riverside Theatre played to sold out shows in March 2021. Two wonderfully unique stories of coming of age that took audiences from Fairfield Halal butcheries all the way to the Moulin Rouge and back again to Sydney's Mardi Gras.
The challenge for this double bill was to write music completely unique to each show and emotionally brace both worlds simultaneously during the writing and rehearsal process. From delicate harp and piano cross rhythms to glitchy beats with analogue 80s synths.
"The material is whip smart and, by the end, finds an authenticity that will move anyone who has been a mother, or had a mother." - Harriet Cunningham,
The Sydney Morning Herald
"The future of Australia’s Theatre is in good hands...the stories draw the audience in with those familiar moments that we all remember" - Daniel Craig,
Sorry Mum Project:
Written by Pippa Ellams
Directed by Hannah Goodwin and Tasha Obrien
Let Me Know When you Get Home
Written by Miranda Aguilar
Directed by Valerie Berry
In association with Curious Works
Eating Pomegranates
Published on Australian Plays
An original production developed by professional writers and performers who hail from the Blue Mountains. A combined experience of theatre and food.
A journey through life - and beyond. Comedy, ballroom dancing, vaudeville and Frida Kahlo, dangerous descents and underworld cabaret, deathbed farewells, pomegranates and the perfect goat's cheese tart!
Director: Margeret Davis
Cast: Beth Champion, Janine Penfold, Rebecca Waters, Alex Smith, Mieke Clare
March 2018
Music composed and performed live by Me-Lee Hay
(Piano and Electric Cello with live looping)
Lost Tales
Spoken Word / Story Telling by Travis De Vries
with live music improvisation @ The Australian Museum
Story Telling by Travis De Vries, a Gamilaroi man re-interpreting Australian Indigenous lore exploring modern application of gods, demons and creatures.
The live performance of the story was accompanied with piano and electronic cello
Painting by Travis De Vries from Lost Tales: Walking with Gods exhibition
The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
Performed and produced by Emu Heights Productions
By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, On Behalf of Dramatists Play Service, Inc New York
Director: Ian Zammit
The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith
Fear, jealousy…witchcraft. How far would you go to belong?
Salem, 1692: a girl lies in a catatonic state, whispers of the devil’s influence begin to spread and shameful truths are lost among pointed fingers. Pride, jealousy, ignorance and terror are allowed to flourish amid the panic, with shattering consequences.