Iron Lung is a Melbourne-based independent theatre company. We produce classic and contemporary Australian, American and European text based work and create theatre of imaginative daring and emotional depth.
BRIONY DUNN
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Briony has a Master of Arts in Theatre from UNSW and is a NIDA directing graduate. She is currently a member of Melbourne Theatre Company's Women in Theatre program and Literary Development Manager at Theatre Works. She is also is co-Artistic Director of Iron Lung Theatre.
Briony has worked with many organisations developing new work including Griffin Theatre Company, Company B Belvoir, Belvoir Downstairs, PACT and Spark Youth Theatres, NIDA, ATYP, ANPC, Playworks and Playwriting Australia. Directing credits include Blank by Alice Birch, Electra and The Women of Troy by Euripides, Der Hamletmachine by Heiner Muller, dreamalittledreamalittle by Toby Schmitz, La Dispute by Marivaux, Are We There Yet? By Vanessa O’Neil, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman. Briony was Mentor Artist and Associate Director on Melbourne and Sydney International Arts Festival projects with the award-winning Big hArt, and was a recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts professional development grant to teach and direct in the Palestinian Territories and Israel. In 2020 Briony is directing creative developments of The Greer Effect by Vanessa O’Neil and a new interpretation and translation by Julia Landberg of Strindberg’s The Stronger. For Theatre Works’ 2021 season Briony will direct When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell for Iron Lung Theatre.
ESTHER VAN DOORNUM
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Esther is a NIDA graduate (1999) and has worked in film, TV and theatre for the past 20 years. She has appeared in TV shows such as Water Rats, Neighbours, All Saints and Jack Irish. She recently completed four short films - Teddy, To the Sea, Louisa and Overshadowed. In 2001 she worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company appearing in main stage productions of Anthony and Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, both directed by John Bell.
In 2005 Esther appeared in the award-winning play Whale Music with the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. While at NIDA she performed in several shows including Whale Music, Top Girls, Boy's Life, Touched, Chaste Maid in Cheapside and The Libertine, which was directed by Richard Cottrell. In 2019 Esther played Jessie Cates in Iron Lung's inaugural show 'night, Mother by Marsha Norman. Esther also works extensively as a voice over artist. She recently worked with voice and acting teacher Patsy Rodenburg and the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Esther also holds a BA in Fine Arts (Photography) and an Associate Degree in Writing and Editing from RMIT.
