Platon Theodoris on the set of The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour.

Help us continue to cover more Australian films by making a donation to Cinema Australia below.

Welcome to latest episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast.

I’m very excited to be discussing the wonderfully weird, and outrageously funny The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour with the film’s director and co-writer, Platon Theodoris. 

The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour follows radio host Neville Umbrellaman. When Neville lands in hospital, a group of unexpected performers crash his show, The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour.  

Platon Theodoris is an Australian film director, producer and screenwriter. His debut feature film, Alvin’s Harmonious World of Opposites, had its world premiere at the Revelation Perth International Film Festival back in 2015 and I’ve been anticipating his next film ever since. Platon is one of the most unique filmmakers working in Australia today. 

If you’ve seen Alvin’s Harmonious World of Opposites and The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour I’m sure you will agree, and if you haven’t seen those films then you really need to amend that ASAP.

The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour is adapted from Nitin Vengurlekar’s incredible theatre show of the same name. The play is described as being a “wonderfully absurdist comedy which drew inspiration from both Jacques Tati and Spike Milligan and was a rare gem in Australia’s cultural landscape.” The stage play premiered at Sydney’s Bankstown Arts Centre and then played The Griffin Theatre.

ADVERTISEMENT

In this interview Platon discusses everything from his first viewing of the original stage play, continue his work with this incredible group of actors he’s built a community around, as well as some technical aspects of his filmmaking. 

The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour will stream on MIFF Play from August 11-28. Details here. The MIFF screenings will be followed by another film festival run which will be announced over the next week. You can find out more abut The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour here.

Keep an eye on cinemaaustralia.com.au for updates about that and other screening details for the film. 

Anyway… enjoy.