ABOUT US

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

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CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

A directing graduate of NIDA, Briony has a Master of Arts in Theatre (UNSW) and was selected as a participant in Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2020 Women in Theatre Program. Having directed more than 30 plays Briony’s current focus is text-based stories of all forms that have the transformation of women at their core. As associate artist, assessor or director Briony has worked with many organisations including Griffin Theatre Company, Company B Belvoir, Belvoir Downstairs, PACT Youth Theatre, NIDA, ATYP, Playwriting Australia and the Melbourne and Sydney International Arts Festivals. Directing credits include Blank by Alice Birch, Electra and Women of Troy by Euripides, Der Hamletmachine by Heiner Muller, dreamalittledreamalittle by Toby Schmitz, La Dispute by Marivaux and ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman. 

Briony was a recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts professional development grant to teach and direct in the Palestinian Territories and Israel. Founder of the classical acting program at AP Studio, Briony teaches her own acting technique about which she is currently writing her first book. 

ESTHER VAN DOORNUM

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CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Esther is a NIDA graduate and has worked in film, TV and theatre for the past 20 years. She has appeared in TV shows such as Water Rats, 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.