The Fig Tree – A Reading Presentation
Sign up here for Gillian Cosgriff news, special offers & pre-sale access.
We only link to official ticket sellers for Gillian Cosgriff.
The Fig Tree
Award-winning musical comedian, writer and composer Gillian Cosgriff presents a work-in-progress showing of her new musical The Fig Tree. It’s an existential rom-com about relationships, choice, indecision, monogamy, love, parallel universes, and figs.
Liv and Tom are a couple in their thirties trying to decide whether or not to have a baby. Tom is ready, Liv is unsure. Tired of discussing it round in circles, they agree to take six weeks apart – a “monogamy vacation” – before they make a decision. When Liv meets Elliott, a former student of Tom’s, the two hit it off and things become complicated. Complications escalate further when Liv begins entering alternate realities via an ancient fig tree in her family’s backyard.
The Fig Tree focuses on the constant struggle in any relationship between security and spontaneity. It has the romantic intellect of Before Sunrise, the humour and neuroses of When Harry Met Sally, and the strange other-worldly sadness of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It’s about reckoning with the fact that we only get to choose one life to live. Even though the world presents us with myriad possibilities, we cannot keep our fingers wedged in every page of a choose-your-own-adventure book.
Following an initial development showing at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and a concert showing at the Hayes Theatre’s Festival of New Work, this is the first Melbourne presentation of Cosgriff’s witty and poignant new musical.
This is a script-in-hand presentation of the show’s current draft, with actors performing at mic stands, and no set or costumes, choreography etc. The writer and/or director will introduce the work at the start of the event.
The Cast
Gillian Cosgriff, Liv
Gillian is a versatile performer, graduating from WAAPA in 2010. Her 2023 solo show, Actually, Good, won the top gong at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her credits include Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Come Rain Or Come Shine, TV appearances, extensive touring, and directing Michelle Brasier’s Average Bear.
Her new stand-up comedy show Fresh New Worries is touring in 2025.
Harry Targett, Elliott
Harry Targett is building his musical theatre career with roles in Hairspray, A Chorus Line, The Fairies, Sweeney Todd. He can currently be seen in the production of Dear Evan Hansen.
A WAAPA graduate, he received the Leslie Anderson Showcase Award and has performed in Strictly Ballroom and Rock of Ages.
Michael Whalley, Tom
Melbourne audiences may recognise Michael for playing Ron Weasley in the long-running hit Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Perry Heslop in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical.
His theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet, Hir (Sydney Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor), Cock, The Pillowman, and The Glass Menagerie. On screen, Michael has appeared in Wanted, Halifax: Retribution, and Unbroken.
Christina O’Neill, Tess
Christina graduated from WAAPA in 2005 and has since carved out a a successful stage and screen career. Her theatre credits include My Brilliant Career, Hour of the Wolf and Vivid White. Her musical theatre roles include Girl from the North Country, Avenue Q (Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actress), and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
An ensemble member of Red Stitch, she’s starred in productions like The River and The Motherf*cker with the Hat. TV credits include Neighbours, The Power of the Dream, Offspring, Rake, The Code, and How to Stay Married.
“Energetic and poetic, funny and philosophical…quick-witted and relatable. The songs are outstanding.” – Theatre Travels
