The Hidden Orchard

Image credit: Photo of Colin Mullens, the father of director Sharyn Mullens Taylor OAM, who grew up on an orchard. Photo by Bobby Dong.

Share a glimpse into the fascinating orchard history of Maroondah.

Dating from the 1860s, apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, lemons, peaches, quinces and hops were grown throughout the area. Wisps of this history still exist in the local community with well-known streets and parklands named after orcharding families and further afield with the Pride of Ringwood hops an essential component in many a contemporary brew.

Theatre production and video installation

Based on verbatim research and drawing on her father’s stories of growing up on a nearby orchard, project director and playwright Sharyn Mullens Taylor OAM has created a new theatre production and video installation for ArtSpace at Realm.

In The Hidden Orchard, Sharyn has created a narrative inspired by real stories of local human experience woven together with cinematic visuals and integrated sound design. 

The Hidden Orchard is created and directed by Sharyn Mullens Taylor OAM, founder and director of Fresh Theatre for Social Change, who grew up in Ringwood and received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to amateur theatre. Fresh Theatre is a Maroondah-based, not-for-profit organisation that works in applied theatre, aiming to provoke thought, instigate conversation, challenge ideas and incite change for the betterment of our society.

Project development

Listen to The Hidden Orchard commute-cast to hear director Sharyn Mullens Taylor discuss the development of the project with Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Zeta Thompson and historian Kerrie Handasyde.

Creative Team

• Project Direction and Playwright – Sharyn Mullens Taylor OAM
• Creative Director – Eva McEntee
• Cinematographers – Finn Clarke, Bobby Dong, Hugo Stevens
• Composer and Sound design – Andrew Bacaller
• Performers – Adam White, Bridget Sweeney, Jordan Chodziesner, Paul Armstrong, Phoebe Anne Taylor and Peter O’Brien

Video installation

The Hidden Orchard can be viewed as a video installation from 24 September to 5 November. 

Croydon Historical Society, Heathmont History Group and Ringwood and District Historical Society have been invited to present displays relating to Maroondah’s orchard history in the Realm Collectors Cabinets on the ground floor and in Realm Library. 

The Hidden Orchard installation can be viewed during Realm opening hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 5pm except when a rehearsal is in progress (Mondays and Thursdays, 5pm to 7:30pm) or the theatre production is being performed (see dates and times below).

Theatre production

The Hidden Orchard theatre production will be performed in ArtSpace at Realm from 13 to 28 October.

The theatre production has adult themes suitable for 12+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Book online

Date	Time
Friday 13 October	7:30pm
Saturday 14 October	7:30pm
Sunday 15 October	2pm
Friday 20 October	7:30pm
Saturday 21 October	4:30pm
Saturday 21 October	7:30pm
Sunday 22 October	2pm
Friday 27 October	7:30pm
Saturday 28 October	7:30pm

When

Location

ArtSpace at Realm, 179 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, 3134, View map