Antipodes Theatre Company's 月を見る夜 MOONGAZING Comes to La Mama HQ in February

月を見る夜 Moongazing will kick off LA MAMA PRESENTS in February 2026 at La Mama HQ. Performances run 4-22 Feb 2026. 

Playwright Maki Morita is interested in how language informs our relationships and understanding of ourselves in the digital age. Her linguistic inquiry spans beyond her proficiency in Japanese and English, extending into the ways we now communicate online
and in 'real life'. She is curious about the impacts of tech-dependency on our mental health, like chatting with AI in search of practical, emotional, and spiritual guidance.

Inspired by the Japanese folktale 'Ubasute-yama' and its Nōh rendition, 月を見る夜 Moongazing is a poetic exploration of loneliness in our increasingly atomised and technology-driven society. A tender, budding intergenerational relationship anchors the play to ask where the future and past meet, where they clash, and where they blur together.

Maki Morita, Playwright, said, "This play is inspired by ghost stories, folktales, Noh, endless doomscrolling and astrology obsessions, among other things. It's really for anyone who has grieved or felt lonely or a little out of place, anyone who wants to switch their phone off but doesn't because you need it to participate in today's world."

Brandon Pape, Antipodes Theatre Company Artistic Director, said, "This piece touches on the fragility of self-esteem and self-image in our modern digital landscape, where human connection can be both meaningful and vacuous. There are so many incredible facets to Maki's storytelling style that feel visceral and impactful."

Australia - Melbourne Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL (Regent Theatre, Melbourne)

54.4% of votes

2. TWELFTH NIGHT (St Kilda Botanical Gardens)

18.4% of votes

3. MJ THE MUSICAL (Her Majesty's Theatre)

15.9% of votes

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