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Meet The Cast
Creating stories feeds communities
Check out our original stellar cast whom perform in Broken River
Broken River
Original 2023 Cast
We are very excited about our premiere at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival
with the original 2023 cast of Broken River. Our talented and brilliant cast
is a mighty talented bunch of beautiful humans.
Introducing, in character order:
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Linda Cookson as Virginia, the formidable matriarch of the family. Not only is Virginia a tough woman with her health issues, but she is also vulnerable, staunchly strong, and bloody-minded. Linda Cookson is a master of telling stories and creating characters, having learned from some of the old-school stalwarts, in Australia and the United Kingdom. Cookson is a graduate of The Journey (Actors' Centre Australia – Patron: Hugh Jackman), under the tutelage of Mr. Dean Carey, and Sydney’s, The Ensemble Theatre under Hayes Gordon AO OBE (1920-1999). Cookson trained at the Pineapple Dance Studios, Soho (London) to study dance and flamenco.
James William as Chad, the eldest son no one wants to get on the wrong side; has his own deep-seated problems. James William is building a strong actor resume, born and based in Melbourne, studied at the University of Melbourne, National Drama School, and The Liminal Space, to his recent film, and theatre roles in the one-man play, I Was Right About Everything from John Patrick Shanley's Rogues’ Gallery (dir. Callum O’Mara). We are thrilled to have James on board.
Joel King-Mayne as Michael, the youngest son struggling to hold his own place in the family unit. Joel King-Mayne is no stranger to Television, Film, and Stage, with his award-winning performance in Little Diva Rising as Jeremy Ballard (dir. Lez Zig. Lemato Films), his day job as a live radio presenter on JOY FM (Up Early Breakfast Show, Host of JOY Weekly, Entertainment Report JOY Breakfast), and with all his talents, one of his specialist skills is, balloon making. Can you make a cat, please?
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Lily Johnson as Tracey, married to Chad, is bitter because she never lived out her dream as a famous reality television star (her character, that is). Lily Johnson, a force of stage and screen comes from a strong academic and training background from National Drama School, Suzuki Training, and Robyn Arthur coaching, to feature films and theatre shows. Calypso (Midnight Valley Productions) yet to be released brings an up-to-date creative resume, whereas Johnson's previous work includes Heads or Tails, and Bad Habits (Drama King Productions).
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To read more about each talented human's details, click on their names (or photos)
and be jettisoned to their world of brilliance.
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CREDIT: Photography by Mike Fletcher
Meet The Team
Linda Cookson
Linda Cookson is a master of telling stories and creating characters, having learned from some of the old-school stalwarts, in Australia and United Kingdom. Cookson is a graduate of The Journey (Actors' Centre Australia – Patron: Hugh Jackman), under the tutelage of Mr Dean Carey, and Sydney’s, The Ensemble Theatre under Hayes Gordon AO OBE (1920-1999). Cookson trained at the Pineapple Dance Studios, Soho (London) to study in dance and flamenco. Cookson undertakes horse riding, artistic roller skating, and trains in classical piano. Cookson also trained in film and television at the International Film and Television School under the watchful eye of Mr Craig McMahon and various other tutors, and currently studies singing at Ian Nisbet vocal coaching (Ian Nisbet Talent Management).
Cookson’s most recent credits includes: Coral in Michael Gow's, Away produced by Theatre Works (dir. Steven Mitchell Wright), Brigid in Exiles for Bloomsday (dir. Carl Whiteside), and Radical Arts Festival - Theatre Works. Prior to this year’s busy performance schedule, Cookson performed at Gasworks Arts Park as Sandra in The Boys, and Nance in Domestic Warfare (both dir. Lucy Klendo); and at The Butterfly Club as Mrs Bouncer in Box And Cox (dir. Jake McNamarra), and in the cabaret in White Hat Hackers (dir. Ella Filla).
Cookson’s Screen Credits include Sheila in Preacher (dir. Johnathon Watson), Singing Lady in The Fires (A.B.C. television) (dir. Michael Rymer), and Joan in Brian Patto's, Snowblind. Cookson also keeps busy with corporate film work including Visual Eyes productions, Sense Advertising, and Visual Domain. And when Cookson is not too busy in the creative industries, she works at Lantern Ghost Tours as a tour guide.
Cookson is looking forward to coming on this Journey with you and to working with Darren Brealey and the team. She says, “I could tell from the onset, in the writing of the audition piece this will be a wonderful project to work on.”
James William is an actor born and based in Melbourne. Having studied creative writing at the University of Melbourne, William trained full-time at the National Theatre Drama School. William’s passion for the performing arts, cinema, and storytelling inspires him to delve into other interests such as sports, music, and language.
After graduating from The National Theatre Drama School, he exceeded with an advanced diploma, and furthered the development of his process, he continued studying at The Liminal Space focusing on scene study for additional understanding of the inner and outer workings of character.
William’s smooth baritone voice is an additional attribute to add to this young man’s exceptional talents. He believes in the joy of singing as well as telling stories through song, connecting with the audience through a deeper relationship directly to their souls, akin to the oral tradition.
Every actor needs to have balance throughout their life and William is no exception with a passion for Australian football and test cricket. A supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club, he has been a member for over twenty years. William attributes his love of the club to his mother, who also fuelled his love for The Rolling Stones.
Most recently, his roles have included the one-man play, I Was Right About Everything from John Patrick Shanley’s Rogues’ Gallery (dir. Callum O’Mara), Noah in the site-specific Mysteries Parts 1 & 2 (dir. Harry Haynes), and Caesar/Octavius in Julius Caesar (dir. Harry Haynes).
As well as an actor, singer, and avid football supporter, William is a brilliant poet. William strongly believes in the power of theatre to show audiences not just themselves, but the lives of others.
James William
Joel King-Mayne is a trained actor, writer, producer, radio presenter, and voice-over artist. King-Mayne currently co-hosts his national radio show JOY WEEKLY every Wednesday evening on Joy Media 94.9.
Entertaining has always been one of King-Mayne’s big passions; he has been acting and performing from a very young age, having had the good fortune and privilege to study and work with some of the industry's most well-respected, highly acclaimed professionals and creatives here in Australia, London, and the United States of America.
King-Mayne’s experience as an actor, writer, and producer in productions across Television, Film, Commercials, and Theatre, most recently playing Jeremy Ballard in Little Diva Rising.
King-Mayne’s other Television and Film credits include Neighbours, Underbelly, Housemate Wanted, The Pacific, The Jammed, and My Brother Jack. Having grown up treading the boards on stage, his theatre credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Crave, Waiting For Magnus, and What If.
Outside of performing, King-Mayne’s other passions include storytelling. Through his business In Your Words - A Legacy of Love and Podcast, The Other Joel Podcast, he is giving individuals a platform to have their stories voiced and recorded - creating a memory to last a lifetime.
King-Mayne is really excited about getting the opportunity to bring Darren Brealey's character of 'Michael' to life under the guidance of Director, Elizabeth Way in the new play Broken River.
Joel King-Mayne
Lily Johnson is a graduate of The National Theatre Drama School, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Acting. Johnson also trained at 16th Street, NIDA, and Bayside Actors Studio.
Johnson enjoyed the opportunity to study Mike Alfreds and Michael Chekhov techniques and were greatly influenced by directors such as Peter Blackburn, Robert Meldrum, Robyn Arthur, Katie Cawthorne, and Danielle Carter.
Johnson’s acting credits include Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Clytemnestra in Iphigenia in Aulis, Pearl in Summer of 17th Doll, Billy in Shit, and Sally Banner in Chapel Perilous. Johnson’s recent work includes Actor 1 in Holding the Man at Chapel off Chapel with Taylor Made Productions, Courty in Heads or Tails, and Shantelle in Bad Habits by DramaKing Theatre company at the MC Showroom.
Johnson’s work in film and Television includes Alex in ABCs Social Media Me, Season 2, she appeared in Morman Yankees Spirit of the Game, and she will be seen as Tennis Barbie in Blondes short film, to be released in August, 2023.
Johnson recently stepped out into presenting work as well, and you can also find her hosting screenings with Cineverse Film Fest in Melbourne.
This will be Johnson’s first time performing one of Darren Brealey’s plays. She is very excited to bring his work to life and be in Melbourne’s 2023 Fringe Festival.
Lily Johnson