As The Living Room Theatre marks 25 years of bold, immersive storytelling, we present The Tales Project: Tales from the Inner West—a powerful fusion of film, theatre, and lived experience. This project amplifies the voices of women, exploring themes of violence, resilience, memory, and justice in both intimate and public spaces.

Funded by the Inner West Council, this initiative unfolds across iconic Inner West locations, including our future home, weaving together live and filmed vignettes that capture the essence of our community—its struggles, its beauty, and its stories.

STORIES THAT DEMAND TO BE HEARD

At the heart of this project is a series of four short films (each approximately two minutes) that challenge how we listen to stories of sexual assault and trauma.

🔹 Landscape – A meditation on the systemic barriers women face in seeking justice. A man in a suit bows in endless repetition as the camera circles a roundabout. Behind him, a café crowd sits motionless, arranged like a Bill Viola composition—silent, indifferent, watching.

🔹 Portraits – A series of tight close-ups of three women struggling to tell their stories. This is not about words or memory lapses, but about the weight of pain and shame carried in the body.

By contrasting the broad systemic perspective of the landscape with the deeply personal, embodied experience of the portraits, The Tales Project demands we reconsider who we listen to, who we ignore, and why.

A CITY AS A STAGE

More than just film, Tales from the Inner West transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary stages. Through movement, music, theatre, and film, we highlight stories often overlooked—bringing them into the public sphere and inviting the community to engage, witness, and reflect.

This project also invites local residents, businesses, and passers-by to take part in the creative process. We’ll be sharing shooting schedules and locations, encouraging the Inner West to step into the work—not just as spectators, but as active participants.

CULMINATING IN A SHARED EXPERIENCE

Once complete, The Tales Project: Tales from the Inner West will culminate in a special viewing event, where audiences will experience these powerful vignettes in both film and live performance.

This is more than a celebration of 25 years—it’s a call to action.

JOIN US

📍 Follow us for filming updates

🔴 Donate via the Australian Cultural Fund HERE

Producer
Ben Crisp

Concept
Michelle St Anne

Cinematographer
Jonathan Baker

Editor
Cass Thompson