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The Placeholder

@theplaceholderplay

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A bold new queer Australian play by trans playwright Ben MacEllen, premiering at fortyfivedownstairs | Midsumma Festival 2026.
👇𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰👇

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These two behind-the-scenes legends did an outstanding job as part of the world premiere season of The Placeholder at @fortyfivedownstairs.

Charlotte Fischer brought every facet of the production together as Stage Manager, while also being a tireless technician for every performance — calm, thorough, and utterly dependable.

Grace McLaughlin supported the cast with line learning and prompts, and always mucked in wherever needed with generosity, focus, and good humour.

Both Grace and Charlotte are graduates of @collarts, and I can’t wait to see them continue to shine in their respective fields. Thank you for your skill, care, and hard work — this show was stronger because of you.

Photo by @Cal.dib

#ThePlaceholder #StageManagement #TheatreLife #CollArts #MidsummaFestival

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My little homage to Benjamin MacEllen 's wonderful play "The Placeholder".

Swipe through for pics of the set, the stellar cast, playwright (and the drawing in progress).

#PostcardsFromTheHeart #theatre ##TransRightsAreHumanRights

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🎭 The Placeholder @fortyfivedownstairs @theplaceholderplay
LAST SHOW TODAY! 5PM

A small-town circle of women. Grief, secrets, and the courage to embrace change. When one announces his transition, bonds are tested, loyalties splinter, and love is challenged.

✨ Funny, sharp & deeply human, this bold new queer Australian play by trans playwright Ben MacEllen explores friendship, feminism, and chosen family.. all while celebrating the radical act of living truthfully.

📍 Fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD #LGBTQIA #Pride #MelbourneEvents #QueerMelbourne #midsummafestival #MidsummaFestival #Midsumma

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#theplaceholderplay #livetheatre #fortyfivedownstairs #midsummafestival #transstories

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Table is set for the world premiere of THE PLACEHOLDER ~ a monumental new play by @benmacellen, brought to life with immense love and support by @midsummafestival and countless incredible artists over the last few years. See you at the theatre @fortyfivedownstairs!
📸 @darren.gill

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Trans masc playwright Ben MacEllen's The Placeholder is about a trans man coming out to friends in a regional town. Plays at fortyfivedownstairs, 27 January to 8 February. Image: Ben at 3CR.
#benmacellen #fortyfivedownstairs #midsumma #midsummafestival #midsumma2026 #inyaface3cr

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the lovely James McKenzie for his radio programme ‘In Ya Face’ on 3CR.

We chatted about ‘The Placeholder’ — where it came from, the journey of bringing it to the stage, and my experiences as a queer, regional playwright making this work now.

If you’d like a listen, you can catch the interview here:
👉 https://www.3cr.org.au/inyaface/episode/playwright-ben-macellen-placeholder

Please check out James’ program ’In Ya Face’, Friday 4:00pm to 5:00pm where he explores LGBTIQA+ issues with interviews, music and commentary.

#ThePlaceholderPlay #benmacellen #3CRMelbourne #MidsummaFestival #fortyfivedownstairs

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The Placeholder is a bold new queer Australian play by trans playwright Ben MacEllen, premiering at fortyfivedownstairs.

Funny, sharp, and deeply human, The Placeholder explores how feminism, friendship, and chosen family collide — and how love is tested when those closest to us change in ways we never expected.

Directed by Kitan Petkovski (The Inheritance) and performed by an extraordinary ensemble, The Placeholder is a fearless and emotionally charged work about the radical act of living truthfully in a world that resists change.

Link to Tickets in Bio.

#ThePlaceholderPlay #midsummafestival #benmacellen #kitanpetkovski #fortyfivedownstairs

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Our interview with transgender playwright Ben MacEllen digs into #ThePlaceholder, a tender, sharp-eyed work exploring grief, transition, and community in a regional town. MacEllen reflects on writing trans stories with care, the challenges of representation on stage, and why messiness, curiosity, and imperfect support matter.
*interview in bio link*
#Melbourne #Midsumma #MidsummaFestival #Theatre #MelbourneTheatre #Gay #Transgender #Queer @fortyfivedownstairs @midsummafestival @theplaceholderplay
📸: Meagan Harding

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What a night at the Midsumma Festival Program Launch on Monday @ Fed Square’s The Edge!

We opened with a beautiful, honouring Welcome to Country by the Djirri Djirri Dancers —
always was, always will be Aboriginal Land. 🖤💛❤️

I also got to hang with some of my absolute favourite creatives
(didn’t snap nearly enough photos!)
including Dean Arcuri, Rebecca Bower, and Harriet Devlin.

And then — a real pinch-me moment — Karen Bryant, CEO of Midsumma Festival, gave a beautiful introduction to The Placeholder as part of Midsumma Presents.

Here’s a little peek at the 2026 program… with The Placeholder hitting @fortyfivedownstairs
27 Jan – 8 Feb 2026.

I can’t wait to share this story with audiences.

Writer: Ben MacEllen

Director: Kitan Petkovski

Cast:
Oliver Ayres
Maude Davey
Brigid Gallacher
Rebecca Bower
Michelle Perera
Alessandra Merlo

Producer:
5 Foot Entertainment | Chelsey Weisz

Set & Costume Design:
Bethany J Fellows

Lighting Design:
Tim Bonser

Sound Design:
Ian Moorhead

Dramaturgy Consultant:
Kate Mulvany

Hero image:
Meagan Harding

Ticket links available in bio.

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#ThePlaceholderPlay #MidsummaFestival #BenMacEllen
#creativeaustralia #creativestate #creativevic
#fortyfivedownstairs #KitanPetkovski #5FootEntertainment
#Theatre #Playwright #LiveTheatre

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The Placeholder has been assisted by the Australian Government
through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and by the State Government of Victoria through Creative Victoria.

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#midsummafestival #theplaceholderplay #benmacellen #kitanpetkovski #fortyfivedownstairs #5footentertainment

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