La Caduta - The Fall, by Laura Lattuada. Live Play Reading.
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Tuesday 18 August 2026, 6.30-8pm
CO.AS.IT., 199 Faraday St, Carlton
Ticket $ 10. Registration essential here: https://www.coasit.com.au/la-caduta-2026
Join us for a live play reading of La Caduta – The Fall, a funny, tender and haunting black comedy written by Laura Lattuada. Presented in both English and Italian, the work was recently warmly received as part of La Mama Explorations. When Angela, the founder of a once-iconic Italian social club, is placed in aged care after a fall, she refuses to go quietly. Convinced that her club is changing without her, Angela becomes determined to escape and reclaim her life on her own terms. But when her younger self begins to haunt her, past and present collide in a volatile world of memory, rebellion and defiance. Surreal, darkly comic and unflinching, La Caduta – The Fall explores ageing, migration, autonomy, memory and identity. At its centre is a woman who still wants to dance, flirt and win – ad who refuses to allow her failing body or fractured memories to decide who she is. The play asks: Who gets to decide when a life is no longer one’s own?
Laura Lattuada brings more than 35 years of professional experience across theatre, film, television and radio. Her work spans performance, singing, voice, directing, writing and theatre-making, and she has created and co-created new works for Melbourne Workers Theatre, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Moreland City Council. As an actor, Laura has performed with Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company South Australia, Malthouse Theatre, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Belvoir, Griffin Theatre Company, La Mama Theatre, Theatre Works, Doppio Teatro and the Victorian Arts Centre. She has received two Australia Council grants, which enabled her to work as a performer and translator with major theatre companies in Milan and Bologna. In 1996 and 1997, she was nominated for Green Room Awards for Best Female Performer in a Leading Role for Malthouse Theatre’s production of Emma – Celebrazione!
Writer / Performer: Laura Lattuada
Director: Adam May
Dramaturgy: Kate Gillick and Peter Matheson
Cast (in alphabetical order):
Gina..................................................................Francesca Arena
Luisa................................................................ Debra Batton
Young Angela / Woman............................Alyssa Campagna
Melina...............................................................Carmelina Di Guglielmo
Angela..............................................................Laura Lattuada
Frances.............................................................Michelle Perera
Alessandro / Man.........................................Luca Romani
BIOGRAPHIES
CAST (in alphabetical order):
Francesca Arena (Gina) is an established actor and singer from Melbourne, helming a career of over 30 years, working professionally in musicals, theatre, film and television, performing in Australia as well as touring overseas
Debra Batton (Luisa) has more than 40 years of experience in physical theatre, circus and contemporary performance. She is also an accomplished director, choreographer and mentor.
Alyssa Campagna (Young Angela / Woman) is a Melbourne-based actor, dancer and singer who holds a Bachelor of Acting from JMC Academy. With training in theatre, film, musical theatre and dance, she brings a versatile performance background across stage, screen and modelling.
Carmelina Di Guglielmo (Melina) is an actor whose career spans more than 45 years across theatre, film, television and web series. She is also a voice-over artist, emcee, community artist, writer and director.
Laura Lattuada (Angela) Laura Lattuada is an actor, singer, director, writer, and theatre-maker with more than 35 years of professional experience across theatre, film, television and radio. When not performing, Laura lectures in acting, and devising new performances in a range of leading educational institutions.
Michelle Perera (Frances) is a Sri Lankan-Australian actor, voice artist, radio presenter and arts advocate. She has worked across theatre, television, film and radio for more than 30 years.
Luca Romani (Alessandro / Man) is an actor and theatre-maker who trained at Italy’s Silvio D’Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts. His work combines physical theatre, music and intercultural performance, and he is the founder of Roman Flowers Theatre Company in Castlemaine.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Adam May (Director) is an actor, playwright, director and producer whose career spans several decades. An award-winning playwright, his work has been performed at Malthouse Theatre and broadcast by the BBC World Service. The Age has described him as a ‘fine craftsman and consummate storyteller.’
Kate Gillick (Dramaturg) has more than 40 years of professional experience across theatre, film and television. Her extensive career encompasses work as an actor, writer, dramaturg, director and producer.
Peter Matheson (Dramaturg) is a freelance dramaturg and script assessor with a career spanning more than 24 years. He has worked with over 80 organisations and supported the development of work by more than 450 playwrights.
Image: Laura Lattuada.
CO.AS.IT., 199 Faraday St, Carlton
Ticket $ 10. Registration essential here: https://www.coasit.com.au/la-caduta-2026
Join us for a live play reading of La Caduta – The Fall, a funny, tender and haunting black comedy written by Laura Lattuada. Presented in both English and Italian, the work was recently warmly received as part of La Mama Explorations. When Angela, the founder of a once-iconic Italian social club, is placed in aged care after a fall, she refuses to go quietly. Convinced that her club is changing without her, Angela becomes determined to escape and reclaim her life on her own terms. But when her younger self begins to haunt her, past and present collide in a volatile world of memory, rebellion and defiance. Surreal, darkly comic and unflinching, La Caduta – The Fall explores ageing, migration, autonomy, memory and identity. At its centre is a woman who still wants to dance, flirt and win – ad who refuses to allow her failing body or fractured memories to decide who she is. The play asks: Who gets to decide when a life is no longer one’s own?
Laura Lattuada brings more than 35 years of professional experience across theatre, film, television and radio. Her work spans performance, singing, voice, directing, writing and theatre-making, and she has created and co-created new works for Melbourne Workers Theatre, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Moreland City Council. As an actor, Laura has performed with Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company South Australia, Malthouse Theatre, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Belvoir, Griffin Theatre Company, La Mama Theatre, Theatre Works, Doppio Teatro and the Victorian Arts Centre. She has received two Australia Council grants, which enabled her to work as a performer and translator with major theatre companies in Milan and Bologna. In 1996 and 1997, she was nominated for Green Room Awards for Best Female Performer in a Leading Role for Malthouse Theatre’s production of Emma – Celebrazione!
Writer / Performer: Laura Lattuada
Director: Adam May
Dramaturgy: Kate Gillick and Peter Matheson
Cast (in alphabetical order):
Gina..................................................................Francesca Arena
Luisa................................................................ Debra Batton
Young Angela / Woman............................Alyssa Campagna
Melina...............................................................Carmelina Di Guglielmo
Angela..............................................................Laura Lattuada
Frances.............................................................Michelle Perera
Alessandro / Man.........................................Luca Romani
BIOGRAPHIES
CAST (in alphabetical order):
Francesca Arena (Gina) is an established actor and singer from Melbourne, helming a career of over 30 years, working professionally in musicals, theatre, film and television, performing in Australia as well as touring overseas
Debra Batton (Luisa) has more than 40 years of experience in physical theatre, circus and contemporary performance. She is also an accomplished director, choreographer and mentor.
Alyssa Campagna (Young Angela / Woman) is a Melbourne-based actor, dancer and singer who holds a Bachelor of Acting from JMC Academy. With training in theatre, film, musical theatre and dance, she brings a versatile performance background across stage, screen and modelling.
Carmelina Di Guglielmo (Melina) is an actor whose career spans more than 45 years across theatre, film, television and web series. She is also a voice-over artist, emcee, community artist, writer and director.
Laura Lattuada (Angela) Laura Lattuada is an actor, singer, director, writer, and theatre-maker with more than 35 years of professional experience across theatre, film, television and radio. When not performing, Laura lectures in acting, and devising new performances in a range of leading educational institutions.
Michelle Perera (Frances) is a Sri Lankan-Australian actor, voice artist, radio presenter and arts advocate. She has worked across theatre, television, film and radio for more than 30 years.
Luca Romani (Alessandro / Man) is an actor and theatre-maker who trained at Italy’s Silvio D’Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts. His work combines physical theatre, music and intercultural performance, and he is the founder of Roman Flowers Theatre Company in Castlemaine.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Adam May (Director) is an actor, playwright, director and producer whose career spans several decades. An award-winning playwright, his work has been performed at Malthouse Theatre and broadcast by the BBC World Service. The Age has described him as a ‘fine craftsman and consummate storyteller.’
Kate Gillick (Dramaturg) has more than 40 years of professional experience across theatre, film and television. Her extensive career encompasses work as an actor, writer, dramaturg, director and producer.
Peter Matheson (Dramaturg) is a freelance dramaturg and script assessor with a career spanning more than 24 years. He has worked with over 80 organisations and supported the development of work by more than 450 playwrights.
Image: Laura Lattuada.
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Where is it happening?
189-199 Faraday Street, Carlton, VIC, Australia, Victoria 3053, 189 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia, Melbourne
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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