Next month, Clockwork Possum Productions premieres its debut work, The Last Parma Night, at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne. Written and produced by Max Meaden, the new Australian play explores friendship, nostalgia and the uneasy transition into adulthood, all set against the familiar backdrop of a local pub’s parma night.
A surreal dark comedy, the play follows Tommy Gibson as he returns to his favourite watering hole chasing the ghosts of his younger years. What starts as a cheeky trip down memory lane soon turns strange, as warped memories and mysterious forces begin to creep in, forcing him to confront fractured friendships and the question of when loyalty starts to wear thin.
The Scoop sat down with Max Meaden, who also stars in the production, and co-producer and performer Alex Stock ahead of the season. They discuss the origins of the work, bringing an original story to the stage, and why stories about mateship still hit close to home. Read the full interview below.
The Last Parma Night is the debut production for Clockwork Possum Productions, a company producing stories ‘they want to tell and that they want to see.’ Can you share a bit about what inspired you to tell this particular story?
Max: Stories about friendship, growing up and finding our place in the world are everywhere and come in lots of different forms. But we wanted to explore these ideas through a unique lens that younger Australian audiences would relate to: through pubs, rock and poor decisions.
You guys met while studying acting back at 16th Street. Did you ever think you’d find yourselves producing your own work together?
Max: I’m sure any acting student can attest that when you first leave acting school you’re all adamant that you’ll catch up on the regular and film scenes, rehearse, etc… It’s rare this ever eventuates, but in our case it did! And I love that I’m telling a story about decades spanning friendships with genuine life-long friends.
Alex: Ohhh, well I think that when you meet people at drama school, you’re all dreaming big and talking about the kind of work you want to do one day. I think there was always a part of me that hoped it would happen. To actually be here now, years later, bringing Max’s writing to life and producing something together, feels pretty special. There’s a lot of trust there because we’ve known each other for so long, and I think that makes the whole process even more meaningful.
Is the group of mates depicted in the play loosely or not so loosely based on your own friendship group? And do they realise it’s about them?
Max: They definitely think it is! They love trying to guess which character is “them.” In truth, the characters aren’t inspired by any one person, but by young and naive friendship groups as a whole. That being said, there are plenty of small character moments and references scattered through the play certain people from my personal life will definitely remember first-hand!
Interestingly, The Last Parma Night started as a short film script back in 2023. What inspired you to take the leap to the stage?
Max: After I finished the short film script, it sat on a shelf for quite a while. I kept having separate ideas with these characters but they never quite fit into a cohesive story. Once I’d had the realisation that it could take place all in the one location, the thread that connected all these ideas revealed itself and it hit me, “this is a play!”
Max, what has it been like in the rehearsal room as both the writer and performer? Are there moments where the script is evolving in real time?
Max: It’s a blessing and a curse! On one hand, being an original work it’s so important (and necessary!) that we can evolve the script as we discover and learn more. On the other hand, knowing when to practice self-restraint is key. It’s been a conscious decision to leave the writing brain elsewhere when on the floor and to not see the solution to every problem be changing a line.
What has that process been like for you, Alex? Is it a gift to have the writer on hand to offer insights?
Alex: It really has been a gift. Having the writer in the room means you can go straight to the source, which is pretty rare, and Max has been so generous with that. Because we’ve known each other for such a long time, there’s already a lot of trust and openness in the room, so it feels very collaborative. We can ask questions, unpack things properly, and really get to the heart of each moment. And if he appears with another last-minute script tweak, at least I know exactly who to blame.
What is your ideal parma meal? For example, what is the best topping? Do you put the chips underneath? What is the perfect drink to have with it?
Max: I’m actually a sucker for a Hawaiian parma. It’s just the perfect combo And yes, I love Hawaiian pizza too… And while having a beer with it is ideal, a Pepsi Max will do the trick.
Alex: Ooft, that is a tough one. I have had many many parmas in my life. My mum actually makes a ripper traditional parma, which the fam always devours. So i’d have to say that. I did once try a Canadian parma with waffles, chicken, bacon and maple syrup, now that was an interesting combo. Still absolutely divine. And for a drink – a beer or a coke pairs perfectly.
Do you want give a shout out to your favourite parma haunt?
Max: It’s gotta be The Temperance Hotel! They’re actually going to provide discounted parmas to anyone who has tickets to see The Last Parma Night!
Alex: The Temperance! We were there a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely delicious parmas. Get the Mexican. You wont regret it.
What are you hoping audiences will come away with after seeing this play?
Max: I hope they call up their mates who they haven’t spoken to in far too long. The ones they grew up with and said they’d buy a pub with, but time got in the way. I want people to realise how important it is not to take those relationships for granted because they don’t come along as often as we’d think.
Alex: So many things. For me, it’s a real trip down memory lane. It captures that transition from high school into life beyond it – when you’d see your friends all the time, head out together, care a little less, and just enjoy being around each other. That feeling of being part of a pack is such a special one. At its core, I think the play is about relationships, and if audiences come away reconnecting with that feeling, or even with the people who gave them that, then that’s pretty wonderful.
And finally, do you have any advice for someone thinking of writing and producing their own work?
Max: Don’t overthink things or allow yourself to get disheartened when the project isn’t clicking. Because eventually it will! You just have to give yourself the time to do the work and the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect it.
The Last Parma Night is presented by Clockwork Possum Productions and runs from 6 – 10 May at Chapel Off Chapel. 12 Little Chapel Street Prahran Vic 3181.
Tickets are available here!
Website: https://www.clockworkpossumproductions.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thelastparmanight/
Images supplied.
Created in partnership with Clockwork Possum Productions. For more information about our partnerships, visit here.
