Nick Waterman and Meg Washington.

Filmmakers Nick Waterman and Meg Washington (How to Make Gravy) have revealed their next project, the feature film Rosaleen – a gripping, romantic musical inspired by the untold, scandalous affair behind the birth of the Sydney Opera House. The project is being developed through their production company, Speech&Drama Pictures.

Set in 1950s Sydney, Rosaleen uncovers the true forbidden love story between Rosaleen Norton, the infamous ‘Witch of Kings Cross’, and Sir Eugene Goossens, the British conductor who spearheaded the creation of the Sydney Opera House at the height of his fame.

Waterman and Washington breathe new life into the explosive tale that ended Goossens’ career, and immortalised Norton as a cultural icon – unveiling the unlikely origin story behind one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks.

Nick Waterman is director, writer and producer. Meg Washington is writer, producer and composer.

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Waterman and Washington previously collaborated on the feature film How to Make Gravy, which received 15 nominations at the AACTA Awards and became the most-watched film ever on Binge / Foxtel.  Washington also wrote the original songs for The Deb, directed by Rebel Wilson, which closed the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024.

On Rosaleen, they reunite with Academy Award-nominated producer Schuyler Weiss (Elvis), who was also a producer of How to Make Gravy.

The film has received development support from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. Casting is underway with details to be announce later this year.

In announcing Rosaleen, Waterman and Washington said:  “This forgotten true story is made for the cinema – we’re excited to bring this extraordinary chapter of Australian history out of the shadows and into the spotlight.”

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