Anthology comes to life at Red Tree Theatre

Acclaimed Central Coast based playwright and director Joshua Maxwell will bring an anthology of short plays, Liminal, to life on stage for the first time at Red Tree Theatre.

The performances, scheduled for December 6 and 7, will be co-directed by Maxwell and long-time collaborator Tayah Blackman.

The cast features over a dozen emerging and established performers from the Central Coast and Newcastle.

The production marks Maxwell’s fourth original work to be presented on the Coast, following the success of their previous works, including the AWGIE-nominated Very Happy Children With Bright and Wonderful Futures and its sequel, Space Cadets, as well as Bogan in 2018, which Blackman also co-directed.

These productions have cemented Maxwell’s reputation as a leading voice in Australian theatre.

Liminal is a collection of short plays and monologues set over the course of a single night in regional NSW, weaving together themes of loss, transformation and self-discovery.

Of the 11 pieces in the anthology, four have been performed by various companies along the east coast over the past decade.

The remaining works were crafted specifically for the anthology or have never been staged before and will make their debut in this production.

“As I started collating my short works a few years ago, I realised that with some very minor tweaking, they could all fall within one night,” Maxwell said.

“They’re all snapshots of very simple moments in the lives of everyday people,.”

The production explores liminal spaces—those moments that feel suspended in time, where characters confront profound questions about identity, relationships and life’s transitions.

“While I didn’t set out for these works to all be about losing something or someone—or even themselves—it happened naturally,” Maxwell said.

“It enhances the sense of these spaces feeling altered and fragile.’

The Liminal world premiere is a deeply personal project for Maxwell, whose creative journey has been intertwined with the Central Coast arts scene for years.

From founding and leading the youth theatre company Jopuka to championing bold and innovative works as artistic director of Red Tree Theatre, Maxwell’s influence has shaped the cultural landscape of the region and beyond.

For co-director Blackman, the production represents the latest chapter in a long and fruitful collaboration with Maxwell.

“Joshua has always sought to push boundaries and bring new voices and perspectives to the stage,” Blackman said.

“Liminal is a testament to their creativity and resilience.”

The premiere of Liminal offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience these evocative works in their intended form—live, immediate and profoundly moving.

Tickets are available now at Red Tree Theatre’s website.