WWLT AUDITION: A Broadcast Coup by Melanie Tait, directed by Christine Vale 

Monday 26 October, The Peninsula Theatre, 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm start

• A Broadcast Coup will be performed from 19 February to 7 March 2027
• Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from the beginning of November (with break over Christmas / New Year).

A Broadcast Coup by Melanie Tait

Melanie uses her personal experience in the Australian media scene to offer a realistic look at the changing roles and relationships of people in the Broadcast industry. 

Cut-throat journalist and podcaster Jez Connel is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio in her sights. 

Mike, has just returned from an anger management course, and says he is a changed man. 

Also standing between Jez and her coup is Mike’s longstanding loyal producer, a new eager junior producer and the radio’s station manager.

LOUISE: (50-60): Mike’s loyal and long-term radio producer 

NOA: (20s): new, young, enthusiastic producer

MIKE: (60s): Popular radio host 

TROY: (40s): radio station manager

JEZ: (40-50): successful podcaster 

More… from an edited Review by Carly Fisher from the play performed at The Ensemble

In A Broadcast Coup, Tait uses her personal experience in the Australian media scene to offer a realistic and very familiar look at the #MeToo movement within the Broadcast industry. Her writing is fast paced, authentic and perfectly conversational, laced with great humour and clever character writing. Tait is a beautiful playwright with a natural flair for interesting dialogue, a great command of levity when it is possible, depth when it is needed, and a commitment to well-rounded characterisation. 

The Characters

The story that A Broadcast Coup tells is not one that you haven’t now heard or seen before – a hot shot radio host, Mike,that treats his studio as his kingdom doesn’t seem to quite recognise that his behaviour with and treatment of women in the workplace is no longer acceptable as it once (still wrongly) was. His repeated defence is of course that all of the women were over age and everything was consensual but his oversight of the career ruining effects of a relationship with him for these women is something that he hasn’t just not considered, it would appear, he has not even noticed. 

Like so many men in positions of power, behind the scenes, a team of women work round the clock to make him look as good as he does. Louise is his long- time producer who seems to allow the lines to blur between her job as an executive and being used as his personal assistant. She has kept his life in check, his scripts on time, his guests booked, and his every need attended to for decades and from the moment the show opens, we question why such a talented woman is still pandering to this man’s every need. How much longer can she take this for? And what keeps her there? 

New to the studio, young producer Noa brings a fresh set of eyes as the resident millennial. Charged with enthusiasm, ideas and ambition, Noa is a highly intelligent independent woman ready to take her career all the way. She wants to be a presenter – a big-time presenter at that – and seeks guidance and mentorship from those in the studio, particularly from Mike, whom, though she claims is totally not woke and more of her ‘dad’s favourite,’ she clearly admires. 

Rounding up the in-studio team is Troy, the nerdy, rule driven Troy, who works as the station manager. Sick of being bullied and overlooked by those in the studio, Troy is a perfect reminder, regardless of industry, never to undervalue the management teams that make it all happen. 

And then there is Jez who, though once a colleague of many in the studio, is now a highly successful podcaster with Australia’s most downloaded and listened to podcast. An investigative journalist, Jez is on the forefoot of the Me Too movement and uses her podcast as a platform to lead to real ramifications for those accused and real progress for those who have, till her podcast, been rendered voiceless in the matter. Jez is an exciting character whose passion for uncovering truth allows the audience to return faith to journalism through the play. 

AUDITION PIECES

Noa and Louise

Preparing for daily broadcast

Pages 11 to 14

Louise and Mike

Mike’s first day back from Fiji

Pages 15 to 19

Mike and Troy

Mike meeting with station manager

Pages 20 to 23

Noa, Mike, (Louise)

First meeting between Noa and Mike

Pages 24 to 27

Jez

Recording intro to podcast

Pages 27 to 28

Jez and Mike

On air interview

Pages 32 to 35

Jez and Troy

In a bar

Pages 36 to 39

Troy and Louise

Discussion Mike’s behaviour

Pages 45 to 46

Mike and Noa

Mike working with Noa

Pages 47 to 50