There are few genres that elicit so polarising an opinion amongst casual and passionate theatregoers as musical theatre, but it's hard to deny that when you get amongst a group of passionate musical lovers, the energy is infectious. Join Andrew Baker and Claire Nichols as they discuss how musicals changed them, the importance of community theatre, pre-show sherry, positive artificiality, and buying CDs at "That's Entertainment" in Old Theatre Lane. From touring shows to venue challenges to jukebox musicals to the gateway drug that is Andrew Lloyd Webber, get ready to have a good "theatre cry" and consider what happens when you have just enough talent for it to be a problem.

SHOW NOTES (links live on show page)

 * Claire Nichols [https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/claire-nichols/6531350?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * The Book Show [https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-book-show?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Andrew Baker [https://www.minderoo.org/stories/context-waapa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Minderoo [https://www.minderoo.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * The Premiere Collection [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Premiere_Collection:_The_Best_of_Andrew_Lloyd_Webber?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * WAAPA [https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Western Sky Projects [https://www.westernskyprojects.com.au/]

Named Musicals (selected)

 * Les Mis [https://lesmis.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * JCS [https://open.spotify.com/album/2utlHy2K3j4lpaVauM1aUU?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Oliver! [https://oliverthemusical.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Joseph [https://www.josephthemusical.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Chess [https://chessbroadway.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Rent [https://broadway.fandom.com/wiki/Rent?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Pacific Overtures [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Overtures?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Hello Again [https://broadwaylicensing.com/shows/off-broadway/hello-again/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Anything Goes [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMov1bG10nY&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Evita [https://www.evitathemusical.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * The Book of Mormon [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of5cgecGIhg&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Matilda [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Et3NoVWkaA&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Cats [https://www.catsthemusical.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * Miss Westralia [https://www.westernskyprojects.com.au/work/miss-westralia]
 * Tony Galati [https://www.westernskyprojects.com.au/work/tony-galati]
 * Bat Boy: The Musical [https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2025-2026/bat-boy-the-musical/]
 * Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence [https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lady-macbeth-played-wing-defence]



Season 2, Episode 2: Musical Theatre with Andrew Baker and Guest Interviewer Claire Nichols

Comedy, whether stand-up, comedic plays, improvisation, sketch, or burlesque, is an omnipresent genre: universally beloved, indispensable, and… underestimated? The second season of Georgia Malone’s Here Goes Nothing launches with comedy stalwart Libby Klysz in conversation with Big Hoo Haa! founder Sam Longley to discuss why the Trojan Horse of comedy is so important and brave, despite the lack of respect it’s constantly afforded. From court jesters to COVID, from punching up to fart jokes, from ego to gender politics, this is an episode that covers the lot! Yes, And!

Show Links:

TheatreSports Australia: https://www.facebook.com/theatresportsoz/about/?_rdr

The Big Hoo Haa!: https://thebighoohaa.com.au/

Chuck the Hoo Haa a follow: https://www.instagram.com/thebighoohaa/

The Hoo Haa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigHooHaa

Bindjareb Pinjarra: https://www.ilbijerri.com.au/event/bindjareb-pinjarra/

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: https://trockadero.org/

YUCK Circus: https://yuckcircus.com/

For enquiries, suggestions, or bookings, email; tobypmalone at gmail dot com.

Season 2, Episode 1: Comedy with Libby Klysz and Guest Interviewer Sam Longley

After a necessary hiatus, Georgia Malone's Here Goes Nothing is back, with a new format but based on the same drive that speaks to Georgia Malone's vision for a legacy defined by the ripples impactful artists can make. Toby and Jo Malone introduce this new era, with hope and optimism.

Show notes:

Georgia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geordiem/

Georgia's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@georgiathroughlife

For enquiries, suggestions, or bookings, email; tobypmalone at gmail dot com.

BONUS: Here Goes Nothing for the Future with Toby and Jo Malone

Australia has always punched well above its weight in global artistic affairs, and artistic collaboration is at the heart of that.

David Ryding has had a long career in the arts, as a performer, director, and arts administrator, before beginning a fruitful term as Founding Director of the  Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office. Georgia and Dave take this opportunity to catch up, many years after they first connected at the University Dramatic Society, to talk about the state of the arts, literature, and how things have changed.

For links to many of the initiatives Georgia and Dave talk about, visit the Substack at heregoesnothingpod.substack.com.

Episode 10: Australia on the world stage with David Ryding

The role of the critic is a thankless one, and one whose influence is sadly waning as mainstream media abandons traditional criticism and resorts to reducing the arts to a mark out of five stars.

In this week's episode of Georgia Malone's Here Goes Nothing, Georgia welcomes Nina Levy: dancer, visionary, and writer: co-founder of the Seesaw arts magazine, and fierce defender of the importance of the critic's voice. This lively discussion includes insight into the way the critical voice has changed in recent years, reducing a critique to a poster quote, the logistics of writing about something you hated, and the truism that quality journalism must be paid for.

Nina Levy is a West Australian freelance arts writer and editor, and communications co-ordinator at Community Arts Network. At a national level Nina made her name as writer and critic for Dance Australia magazine, 2007-2020, co-editing the print publication 2016-2019.  
Nina is best known in her home state for her work as dance critic for The West Australian newspaper, 2009-2018, and as co-founder of Seesaw Magazine, an online publication covering the arts.  Seesaw Magazine was launched by Nina and co-editor Varnya Bromilow in 2017, in response to the decline in coverage of the arts by mainstream media. Nina was the magazine’s managing editor until September 2023 when publication was paused due to lack of funding.

For links to many of the areas that Georgia and Nina discuss, visit https://heregoesnothingpod.substack.com/

Episode 9: The Role of the Critic with Nina Levy

The playwright's role is one of the most vital yet mysterious in all of the arts: far from the classic idea of a single writer in a room producing a completed script, the playwright is a collaborator and innovator, who generates ideas that must then be brought to life through dramaturgs, actors, directors, and designers.

 TJ Young is an award-winning playwright, fierce advocate for equity, beloved educator, and acclaimed podcaster. TJ joins Georgia this week to discuss the playwright's process, tips for getting started and keeping going, as well as details about the new play that Georgia has written! Inevitably, the conversation strays into American politics and the way the current environment has impacted the arts sector, but when you have two people in the room accustomed to solving all the problems in the world, the outcome is nothing but positive.

For links to what TJ and Georgia discuss, check out https://heregoesnothingpod.substack.com/

Episode 8 : Playwriting and activism with TJ Young

Arts advocacy always requires its champions, and Jeremy Smith has ben a constant presence in the Australian arts scene over the last 25 years. Jeremy is a Perth-based arts administrator and self-described fierce advocate and ally for difference. Jeremy joins Georgia for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the arts, on his origins in lighting design, and on advocacy that is all about turning empathy into tangible action.

Jeremy is currently finishing his four-year term as senior producers at Performing Lines WA, building on his past experience in arts administration with organisations like PICA, Creative Australia, DADAA, the AWESOME Festival and ArtsWA / Department of Culture and the Arts. Jeremy has worked closely with artists, organisations and communities in all corners of the country promoting artistic bravery, self-determination and brokering opportunities. In addition to his extensive portfolio, Jeremy championed Regional and Remote Australia under the Australia Council’s Cultural Engagement Framework and helped to develop and deliver key arts and disability initiatives.

For links to many of the initiatives Jeremy and Georgia discuss, check out https://heregoesnothingpod.substack.com

Episode 7: Arts and Advocacy with Jeremy Smith

Talking about money can get uncomfortable but it's important to talk about it! 

In the arts, the world of philanthropy can be a tricky on to navigate - we all know we need to raise private funds to support the organisation and the work they create. 

This, expert philanthropy manager, and friend of the pod, Jo Malone returns to talk about money, how to raise it, how to give it and how to ensure you have a will. 



Episode 6: Talking Money with Jo Malone

Books are such an important part of life. It’s how we understand the world better and stretch our imagination. Whether it’s only reading books about WWII conflicts or sticking to romance novels, all genres have their place and audience.

This week I talk to Jayne Cleave, librarian and good friend, about her love of feminist sci fi and big alien epics. Sci fi isn’t for me - but through this chat, i may have found a way in and realised that a lot of books do fall into this genre.

We also discuss the importance of of libraries in communities, beyond being a place where you loan books, and how Jayne’s career took a journey from arts marketing to publishing to working in libraries.

There are many books mentioned in this conversation and you can find them all at heregoesnothingpod.substack.com we’ve also included a list from Jayne of the books she forgot to mention…

Episode 5: Feminist Sci Fi with Jayne Cleave

Join Mace Francis and I as we discuss his journey into jazz and what is jazz really?

Raised in a creative family in regional Victoria, Dr Mace Francis is the Artistic Director of the Perth International Jazz Festival and previously the Artistic Director of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. Mace is a composer and musician and his band, the Mace Francis Orchestra released his 10th Album in 2024. 

Mace completed his PhD in 2015 and has undertaken a Churchill Fellowship and was composer in residence at the National Trust's Gallup House. 

Music in this episode is from 'No Postcode' by the Mace Francis Orchestra

Episode 4: What is it about Jazz? with Mace Francis

Created by Georgia Malone; presented by Georgia Malone (episodes 1-10); guest presenters (episodes 11-on).

Taking a dive into the impact of arts and creativity.

What is it that makes us human, what makes us unique, and what adds value to your life? Often the answer to all of these questions can be traced back to our connection to arts, culture and creativity. The ‘Arts’ is often seen as a high brow endeavour that only some enjoy and partake in but it is in everyone’s lives, in some way. We all listen to music, read books, watch movies and connect with creativity for our enjoyment or mental health. This podcast gets to the heart of what the arts is and what it means. It will explore different topics with people who have devoted their lives to the arts in some way, to understand what drives them and how they connect with the arts on a personal level.

Discussions will include the importance of a good play, how jazz can penetrate your soul, the role artists play in society, what compels people to leave their money to the local art gallery, why festivals just hit different, and how feminist sci-fi is a gateway drug.

Interesting people with interesting ideas join me for interesting conversations.

Georgia Malone's Here Goes Nothing

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