Dying: A Memoir (MTC)

When the acclaimed author Cory Taylor was diagnosed with a terminal illness, what followed was an astonishing creative surge that resulted in a memoir Barack Obama named as one of his favourite books of 2017. Equally moving and hilarious, Taylor’s last work has been adapted with great care by writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law, who brings a loving ear to this most intimate tale. Dying: A Memoir invites you on a potent and playful journey to explore the essential things that are put into perspective as we all approach the finishing line.With honesty and unsentimental clarity Taylor confronts the swamp of anxiety and despair that traditionally surrounds death and opens the door to the bright clear-eyed vision it ultimately grants us. Learning to face death is, in the end, learning to live fully.

Audio extracts from The Sound of Cancer project provided with thanks to Professor Patrick Humbert, James Curtis, Penelope Bartlau, Adam Mechler, La Trobe University, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Barking Spider Creative and Commonwealth Bank Australia. 

https://www.mtc.com.au/discover-more/backstage/dying-a-memoir-programme

CAST 

Cory Genevieve Morris

CREATIVE TEAM 

Director Jean Tong
Set & Costume Designer James Lew
Lighting Designer Rachel Lee
Composer & Sound Designer Darius Kedros
Associate Composer & Sound Designer Todd J. Bennett


Stage Manager Oriana Papa
Assistant Stage Manager Lucie Sutherland
Stage Management Secondment (NIDA) Jun Tung
Rehearsal Photographer Sarah Walker

This production contains dynamic sound, theatrical haze, strobe-like lighting, frequent strong references to death, dying, terminal illness and mental health, and includes depictions of real deceased persons. For detailed information about the production’s content click here.

The running time for this production is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no interval.

If this production raises concerns for you or anyone you know, support is available. For assistance with the death of a loved one Grief Australia or Griefline (1800 845 745). If you or a loved one is living with terminal illness Victorian Palliative Care Advice Service 1800 360 000. For mental health support Lifeline (131 114) or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636). LGBTIQA+ communities can contact Rainbow Door (1800 723 367) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can contact 13 YARN 13 92 76. 

Commissioned and developed through Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program, with the support of our Playwrights Giving Circle.

Playwrights Giving Circle
Tony and Janine Burgess, Fitzpatrick Sykes Family Foundation, Jane Hansen AO and Paul Little AO, Larry Kamener and Petra Kamener, Susanna Mason, Helen Nicolay, Pimlico Foundation, Tania Seary and Chris Lynch, Craig Semple, Dr Richard Simmie, Andrew Sisson AO and Tracey Sisson, Derek Young AM and Caroline Young

Audio extracts from The Sound of Cancer project provided with thanks to Professor Patrick Humbert, James Curtis, Penelope Bartlau, Adam Mechler, La Trobe University, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Barking Spider Creative and Commonwealth Bank Australia. 

Melbourne Theatre Company thanks Dr Nick Carr and Claudia Kardaras for their consult and support.