Play
Playwrite

The Demigod of Preston Woolies


Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025

MC Showroom. October 15 - 18


The Demigod of Preston Woolies was my first foray into playwriting. Darren Thao, the producer and director, who brought us all together for the project, asked that I write an original play; while we were both on comms at the rear of the plenary theatre, Melbourne Convention Centre, waiting for direction to jump on our follow spots.

‘Hey Rob, ever thought about writing a play?’ Darren asked. 

‘I’ve never thought about writing a play,’ I responded. 

Being an anxious robot, I offered to write a first draft within a month so if I couldn’t he’d ahve time to find someone else. I ended up writing two first drafts: one sci-fi and one absurdists panic attack - and so the existential crisis that is The Demigod of Preston Woolies was born.  



ALT: Video taking on iphone by Robert Healey, playwrite, closing night (18 October 2025) at MC Showroom Prarhan, Victoria. This performance was 4 of 4. Acknowledgement of country was given by Helene Dunlop.

Synopsis:Suburban nightshift worker, Seb, is in his mid-thirties, lost and wayward in life. Burnt out, hungover and unsure if it’s Tuesday or Wednesday, he encounters Sheryl, an ex-dedicated-party animal in her late fifties. Sheryl’s knowledge of the cosmos and cathartic lack of care for humanity’s tribulations leaves Seb uncertain if he’s encountered a potently articulate local drunk, an alien in human form, or a fallen deity. Whereas Sheryl – whether hyper-dimensional-being or just shopping for abundant cheap wine – hasn’t any fucks to give.

Credits:
  • Robert J. Healey - Playwrite
  • Darren Thao - Producer, Director, lighting designer
  • Helene Dunlop - Lead Actor (Sheryl)
  • Luke Andrews - Lead Actor (Seb)
  • Chloe Munro - Sound design 
  • Kaleb  Macdonald - Theatre technician