Help capture a Queensland theatre legend on film, record a Brisbane architectural gem – and secure an invitation to a unique cultural event.

Bryan Nason has given his entire life to the stage.
He directed the Queensland Theatre Company’s first production, founded ther ground-breaking travelling theatre troupe Grin & Tonic and has been decorated with a UQ Honourary Doctorate and as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Now, at 82 years of age, he's finally agreed to make his cinematic debut.

Bryan plays the sorcerer Prospero with Scott Maidment as Ariel in The Tempest. 

But the short film, Not To Be, will also be a closing of curtains for Heath House, which dates back to the 1880s and has been Bryan’s spiritual home for 70 years.  Yes, his old Queenslander on Bonney Avenue, Clayfield – site of some of Bryan's most memorable, outrageous and scintillating performances – has been sold. And we’re inviting you to be a part of one last hurrah for the grand old home, but this time in a format that will be able to be seen around the world and kept for posterity.

Director Katrina Channells and Bryan in the kitchen of Heath House. 

The timber floorboards groaning under the weight of a lifetime’s accumulation of Shakespearean robes and masks. The bookshelves stacked with scripts, literature and, of course, Montaigne. The grand piano room. The fairy-tale like folly perched atop the roof. The lush garden, whose tendrils reach inside the windows, whose roots have gifted some walls their eccentric angles and whose trunks hold others from toppling over.
Our short film aims to capture Bryan’s house in all its rambling glory.

And though Bryan plays a fictional character, the film aims to capture elements of the man too, his joie de vivre and his singular devotion to the craft of acting and the pursuit of art.

A collage of Bryan in his early theatre days.  

What is the film about and who is making it?

Not To Be is a playful meditation on life, death and legacy, with a dash of black humour and suspense.

Set over the course of one eventful day, it will be shot solely in Bryan’s house and star one other actor, Tonia Hammerich.

Tonia Hammerich on set of 'Not To Be'. Photo: Rhett Wyman

It is directed by Katrina Channells, whose film Leaving Allen Street won the 2020 Audience Choice award at the Melbourne Documentary Festival and was recently aired on the ABC.

Katrina was born and raised in New Farm. Her work spans documentary and fictional film.
Bryan will play the film’s score on his piano.

Bryan plays 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'. Photo: Rhett Wyman

Sydney Morning Herald photographer Rhett Wyman will also be on set to capture the house, Bryan and the making of the film.

There is a whole host of other talented people involved in this project: from director of photography Caleb Ware - whose work includes a QLD & NT Australian Cinematographers Society Gold Award-winning documentary - to Maria Papoutsis, who edited Lion, Ride Like a Girl and most recently Penguin Bloom.

Some of the beautiful crew behind 'Not To Be'. 

How you can be involved?

Any money you can chip in will be appreciated.

What are your rewards?

Everyone who helps fund the film will see their names appear in the credits.

Those who contribute at least $50 will get an invitation to an exclusive screening of the film with Bryan and Katrina. Ideally, we’d like this to be at Bonney Avenue itself. But if that will not be possible, due to the sale, we’ll come up with another charismatic location. Back in his Grin & Tonic days, Bryan put on a performance of Hamlet in the boxing ring in the now-demolished Brisbane’s Festival Hall and an adaptation of Gilgamesh in the Ashgrove quarry in Brisbane. We'd like to continue that legacy.

Katrina, Bryan and crew in kitchen during shoot. Photo: Rhett Wyman

For $350 you can have a one-off, orginal photo of Bryan at Heath House during the shoot by Sydney Morning Herald photographer Rhett Wyman. You pick the picture, no-one else gets it. Play your cards right and we'll get one, or both, Rhett and Bryan to sign it.

Contribute at least $1000 and you will be credited as an Executive Producer.

What will your money go towards?

Camera gear is expensive and our hard working crew deserve a wage, especially at this time during which work in the arts is such a challenge to secure.

Bryan and Katrina on set. Photo: Rhett Wyman

The director, Katrina, is not being paid. Nor is the co-writer and producer, Joe Hinchliffe. In fact, they are investing their own money into this project.

Photographer Rhett Wyman is also donating his time. He flew up at his own expense on his weekend! Others, including caterer Coral Wynter, also worked for free.
The actors will receive a modest fee.

Cinematographer Caleb Ware on set of 'Not To Be'. Photo: Rhett Wyman

To give an idea of some of the expenses this project will need to cover:

Camera gear and lighting: $8,000
Sound: $2,000
Catering: $1,000
Crew and cast wages: $9,000

How do I find out more information?

Give Joe a call on 0474 208 556. Or email [email protected]