David Malouf is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers. He is the author of poems, fiction, libretti and essays. In 1996, his novel Remembering Babylon was awarded the first International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. His 1998 Boyer Lectures were published as A Spirit of Play: The Making of Australian Consciousness. In 2000 he was selected as the sixteenth Neustadt Laureate. His most recent novel is Ransom.
Maeliosa has been closely associated with the Galway-based Druid Theatre Company since 1978, as artistic director and actor. He has been involved with premiere productions of Martin McDonagh’s work, including Olivier Award winning and four-time Tony Award nominated The Lonesome West. A co-founder of Sydney-based O’Punksky’s Theatre Company, he has directed and acted in numerous productions, most recently The Night Alive and The Seafarer. He continues to split his time between Ireland and Australia.