Aidan Fennessy (died 13 September 2020) was an Australian playwright, stage director and actor, known for his work with the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC), where he was at one time aAssociate director.[1]
Fennessy's career began in the 1990s in Melbourne, using his talents as writer, director and actor.[1] He acted in a number of television series, including Neighbours, Introducing Gary Petty, Blue Heelers and City Homicide. In 2012, he was the programming director at MTC.[1]
National Interest (2012) was commissioned by MTC and the Black Swan State Theatre Company (Western Australia) on the theme of the Balibo Five.[2] Fennessy's cousin, Tony Stewart, was one of the five journalists who became known as the Balibo Five after they were murdered in Balibo, East Timor, in 1975. The play focuses on Stewart's family, in particular his mother and sister, as well as the Indonesian Government's cover-up and the Australian Government's handling of the affair. The play incorporates media coverage, speeches, court transcripts and other factual material into this "deeply personal story".[3] It was performed in Perth and Melbourne during 2012.[4]
Fennessy had two children with his partner, Nova. He died from a terminal illness during one of the lockdowns imposed in Melbourne because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[1]
Plays written by Fennessy include:[1]