Whether you’re a tennis fan or you couldn’t care less about the sport, there’s a darn good chance you’ll love Megan Wilding’s new play regardless. Taking place at the Australian Open – notably one of the hottest (and sexiest) times of year in Melbourne/Naarm, Game. Set. Match. is a rom-com with a dark twist. We stole a few minutes of Meg’s time to chat about both writing and starring in the play, and why tennis is the perfect set-up for a hot and heavy story.

Tell us a bit about you and your creative background. Hi hi! I’m Meg Wilding. Proud Gamilaroi woman. I’ve been an actor/writer/director for about 10 years now. But the dream started way back in primary school when I played one half of a kitchen sink.

How did the story behind Game. Set. Match. come about? The idea first started brewing back in 2017. It started as a reflection of me and the world around me. More things began to circle around my brain and I just started drawing parallels between my own life and bigger institutions. Writing has always been my outlet, so fingers went to the keyboard and got to typing. I’ve always thought that tennis players had the best conversations with each other using no words, so I wanted to see what I could do when I gave them words. Tennis is one my favourite sports to watch, so I just went with it.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Malthouse Theatre (@malthousetheatre)

How does being both the writer and star of a play change how you approach the material? There are two wolves inside me, you know? Both of them have extreme egos. Hahaha. The writer does their job the best they can and the actor comes in and tears it all to shreds. There are arguments between them and both have made valid points. It’s a big balancing act with lots of challenges but I trust them both to find their way through it.

What other stories did you draw on when crafting Game. Set. Match.? Old Boy, Kill Bill (both volumes), Hamlet, Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Megan Wilding (@ladymeganlillywildthing)

Why did you want this story to unfold during the Australian Open? I just love that time of year. It’s hot and the game is hot. I think we buzz as a country when the Open is on, like we’re all talking about it, you know? We’re connected. Vibing. Like the energy we all have… And I just think we all look really hot when we’re a bit sweaty.

This will be your debut play in Melbourne. How are you feeling about bringing your storytelling skills to new audiences? I’m very excited and nervous and scared but I’m at a point in my life where if something scares me, I just have to run towards it. I think Naarm mob are gonna enjoy the grit. I love the grittiness of Naarm. We’re mirrors.

Megan Wilding appears in Game. Set. Match. at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre from May 1st. Snag your tickets from the Malthouse Theatre website. For more rad chats with playwrights, peruse our chinwag with Tahlee Fereday or check out our chat with Iolanthe and Janet Anderson. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.