August 12th, 2025Rebecca Lister at Words in Winter
Rebecca Lister was born and raised in the mining town of Mount Isa in northwest Queensland. It was the boom years for mining and the town flourished both financially and culturally. Rebecca was involved in both the performing arts and sport. Her mum loved going to see plays and took her to see local and touring productions. This has had a lifelong influence on Rebecca who goes to see theatre as often as she can. She was and still is an avid reader – encouraged by her parents. Rebecca studied social work at university but was heavily involved in student theatre and began writing then. She wrote her first full length work in 1989 with her company Feral Arts. They made large scale works with community members – young offenders, school truants, young parents and the mothers of the young people. Rebecca talked with Donna Kelly.
Donna: What is your preferred genre? Writing method?
Rebecca: I am a playwright. My work is often naturalistic, and narrative and dialogue driven. I work on different projects simultaneously, so I have learnt to be disciplined, organised and focused. I am very content when writing and that’s important, I think, to all art makers. Keeps us going when the going gets tough.
Donna: Who are you reading?
Rebecca: I’m currently reading Women & Children by Tony Birch, The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House by Jenny Valentish and listening to the songs of Eliza Hull. These acclaimed artists are my guests on my show On the Couch with Beck Lister which is happening at the Words in Winter Gala. All create work that is informed by their own experiences. I’m looking forward to robust conversations with them and hopefully a few karaoke duets afterwards.
Donna: What’s happening with the Words in Winter Festival for you?
Rebecca: My new play big beautiful female theory will be read on Saturday afternoon at the Daylesford Hotel. It’s based on the memoir (of the same name) by local writer Eloise Grills. It’s a feminist exploration of fat bodies in a society obsessed with thinness. Like the memoir, the play is defiant, poignant, harsh and humorous. It will be read by actors Joanne Davis, Taylor Griffiths and Devon Taylor and directed by Hallie Shellam.
Donna: Will you be checking out others in the program?
Rebecca: I’m looking forward to opening night. The Words in Winter committee will honour two locals – David Hall and Petrus Spronk – for their many years of dedication to the arts and in particular, Words in Winter.
Join Rebecca Lister on Saturday, August 23 from 1.30pm at Daylesford Hotel for big beautiful female theory – play reading and Saturday, August 23 from 6.30pm at Hotel Bellinzona for Words in Winter Gala. Get your tickets and check out the program at www.wordsinwinter.com
