"passion, playfulness, tenderness and brutality all flicker between them like lightning sparks...
Southern Magpie are clearly one to watch." Islington Tribune
"moving, provocative, truly original as a work of art" Camden New Journal
We tell stories from around the world that are constantly curious in people; our relationships with each other, the places we've come from,
and the people we might become...
Southern Magpie is the film and theatre production company of writer and director Max Kirk
Artistic Director/Founder - Max Kirk
Max is a theatremaker, writer and director with tri-nationality (New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom). He graduated LAMDA's MA Directing programme in 2017 and has assisted directors including Ria Parry and Olivier Award winner Rebecca Frecknall, and observed former Donmar Artistic Director Mike Longhurst and Te Rākau theatre company in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
For more info on Max's other writing/directing work click here:
Two 8-year-olds meet in the nurse’s office at their elementary school. Kayleen has a stomach ache, Doug has just ridden his bike off a roof. Over the next thirty years, a strange love story unfurls as two wounded people are drawn together, again and again, scars and all.
Designer - Tomás Palmer
Lighting Design - Chris McDonnell
Sound Design - Marie Zschommler
Stage Manager - Elinor Albu
Associate Producer - Samantha Gruskin
CAST
Doug - Seb Carington
Kayleen - Katie Matsell
“Matsell and Carrington bounce off one another brilliantly and are a joy to watch”
**** theatre and tonic
“Taut revival of Rajiv Joseph’s grisly play gets under your skin”
The Stage
“A wicked sense of humour. Highly recommended!”
**** Londontheatre1
“the audience could feel the raw emotion... touching and heartfelt”
South London News
GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
by Rajiv Joseph
Dir. Max Kirk
The Glitch/VAULT Creative Arts, March 2025
1950s, the rural plains of Southern New Zealand. She has to go, he can’t let her.
A couple’s past unravels in a tender, playful and bruising encounter.
"Moving, provocative, and truly original as a piece of art"
"bursts with passion and energy... Kirk brings out the roar of
love.... made me cry big fat beautiful tears."
"Sensual and balletic...expertly directed"
***** Close Up Culture
"A polished piece of work from an exciting new company. Southern Magpie are clearly one to watch."
***** thespyinthestalls
"fervently brought to life... we should highly anticipate what is next to come from Southern Magpie Theatre"
***** londonpubtheatres
"solid writing and superb acting really draws the audience in and holds them spellbound"
***** londontheatre1
"earthy, balletic... emotionally bare".
****1/2 Breakingthefourthwall
"mesmerising movement... breaks the heart"
2017 Production
Designed by Rachael Twyford
Lighting Design by Oliver Bush
Costume Design by Kilah Williams
Produced by Cindy McClean-Bibby for Southern Magpie Theatre
CAST
Tom - Philippe Edwards
Elizabeth - Louise Hoare
2021 Production
Original Design by Rachael Twyford
Lighting Design by Chris McDonnell
Additional Set & Costume by Rachael Light
Assitant Producer - Rachel Harley
Produced by Cindy McClean-Bibby for Southern Magpie Theatre
CAST
Tom - Adam Slynn
Elizabeth - Louise Hoare
SKIN TIGHT
by Gary Henderson
directed by Max Kirk
Carne Studio Theatre 2017
The Hope Theatre 2017 & 2021
Off West End Award Finalist 2021 - Best Movement
Off West End Award Nomination 2017 - Best Director
CRITICS CHOICE BEST SHOW 2017 - London Pub Theatres
WINNER Best Cinematography - SENE Film Festival
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM - Runner Up - SENE Film Festival
SEMI FINALIST - Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Lighthouse International Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Fastnet Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Scout Film Festical
LONGLIST - National Youth Film Awards
Returning home for the last day of summer, three friends look back on their childhood and glance ahead to their futures.
Written and directed by Max Kirk
Cast: Jenny Wall, Rebecca Tebbett, James Musgrave
Animation: Ana Caro
Cinematography: Natalja Safronova
Editor: Emil Joseph
Original Music: Adam Double
Sound Design: Adam Woodhams
Produced by Samantha Gruskin and Jenny Wall
A Southern Magpie Film
Our Old Den
A short film by Max Kirk (2021)
Ryan, an artist, falls in love with Emma, a composer. Also he’s going blind and she’s going deaf.
20 years later, and struggling to let her go, he meets Lily, a young woman struggling to let go of a loss of her own.
Written and directed by Max Kirk
Cast: Katie Matsell, Douglas Mundane, Eadie Whitehead
Animation: Ana Caro
Cinematography: Jono Le Grice
Editor: James Jameson
Original Music: Jessie Marcella
Produced by Samantha Gruskin
Based on the short play of the same name by Max Kirk originally commissioned by LAMDA Mishmash
UPCOMING WORK
Mamihlapinatapai
a short film by Max Kirk (currently in post production)
Contact
Please get in touch via one of the emails below :)
