A new chapter in Northern Beaches theatre is beginning in Mona Vale, with NoBAD Theatre creating a space for experienced performers, emerging creatives and local theatre lovers to come together.
The not-for-profit community theatre group NoBAD Theatre will stage its first production, The Waiting Room, at Mona Vale Performance Space from 21 to 24 October.
The new Australian comedy brings together eight locally based actors, with past credits spanning Hollywood films, Australian and American television, and Australian theatre.
Among the cast is Gillian Alexy, known for McLeod’s Daughters and appearances on American television including Damages and NCIS: Los Angeles. Chris Sadrinna appeared in 198 episodes of Home and Away, while Raylee Hill was a regular on Water Rats, Neighbours and Farscape.
Behind the production is writer and founding member Mike Bullen, who has spent more than 30 years working in television. His credits include the BAFTA award-winning UK comedy drama Cold Feet. The show ran for nine seasons across its original and later revival runs, as well as the Australian drama North Shore.
But for Mike, NoBAD Theatre is about more than bringing an experienced cast together for one production.
“I decided I want to go back to having fun, to just that joyfulness of putting on a show with like-minded creators,” he says.
The Story Behind The Waiting Room
Written and directed by Mike, The Waiting Room explores the complicated, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable realities of family.
The play follows four siblings returning to their childhood home as their 70-year-old father, Frank, lies dying in a coma. While they gather at his bedside, old tensions resurface, and questions around family, relationships, and inheritance begin to emerge.
As NoBAD Theatre describes it, the play is “a thoughtful comedy about life, death, and the joy and pain of being a family.” Rather than presenting perfect characters, Mike is interested in the messy parts of human relationships.
“I’ve always been most interested in flawed characters because we’re all flawed,” he says. “The truth of the matter is, you are both wrong and right. There is no correct answer. There’s simply perception.”
Building A Creative Community in Mona Vale
While The Waiting Room is the group’s first production, Mike sees plenty of creative talent across the Northern Beaches that is not always connected or given the opportunity to develop.
“There’s definitely a lot of talent here which is going untapped at the moment,” he says.
His ambition for NoBAD Theatre reaches much further than a single production. Mike hopes the project can grow into an ongoing creative community, with opportunities for people who want to develop their skills and contribute to future productions.
“I want to create a little community where we will continue doing creative work into the future,” he says. “I’d love to draw in young people who say, right, let us write and put on a show. That would be my dream.”
The production is entirely volunteer-run, with everyone involved offering their time for free. Any profit will be reinvested into NoBAD Theatre to help create future productions and opportunities for local creatives.
How Northern Beaches Locals Can Get Involved
NoBAD Theatre is inviting locals aged 16 and over to join the production team. Volunteer roles are available across stage management, set design, sound, lighting, costumes, hair and makeup, props, publicity, and house management.
Previous experience is welcome but not essential.
The group’s first production may be The Waiting Room, but the bigger idea is to create something that continues well beyond October. As NoBAD Theatre puts it: “It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a community to stage a play. Come join ours.”
For Northern Beaches locals looking for a creative outlet, a chance to learn something new, or simply a reason to support homegrown theatre, NoBAD Theatre is opening the door.
NoBAD Theatre
📍 Mona Vale Performance Space, Bungan Street, Mona Vale
📅 ‘The Waiting Room’ is playing from Wednesday 21 October to Saturday 24 October 2026 – see website for specific dates and times.
🌐 https://www.nobadtheatre.org/
Story by Evie Scully
