07/02/2025
JUTE Theatre Company and Overall Arts’ poignant and thought-provoking new production of O, Ophelia, premieres at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, Cairns, on Friday, 7 March 2025 - on the eve of International Women’s Day.
O, Ophelia is co-produced by the two companies and is a seminal new Australian work written and directed by Amber Grossmann of Overall Arts. It spotlights the vital themes of coercive control and emotional abuse, which are woven into a disarming narrative set against the evocative backdrop of Far North Queensland.
At the heart of this production is the dynamic Dr Matt Domingo, who, playing the older and imposing love interest opposite Townsville’s Charlotte Davies in the role of Ophelia, brings Hamish's charismatic, albeit chilling character to life.
A medical doctor and seasoned performer, Domingo draws on his unique professional and personal experiences to portray Hamish, who he describes as "every woman's worst nightmare."
According to Domingo, Hamish's intoxicating blend of charm and control will become a powerful lens from which the audience can examine the dangers of coercive relationships.
A Complex and Timely Antagonist
“This role is deeply confronting yet profoundly important,” Domingo reflects.
“Hamish isn’t your stereotypical villain. He’s charismatic, attractive, and seemingly trustworthy, but beneath that exterior lies a manipulative and controlling nature that reveals itself over time. This duality makes the character so compelling—and so real,” he said.
Domingo’s medical career, which spans psychiatry and general medicine, lends an extraordinary depth to his performance.
“As a doctor, I’ve seen the devastating effects of coercive control on mental health firsthand – patients trapped in toxic relationships, unable to see the warning signs due to their vulnerabilities or unable to remove themselves from their situation out of fear.
Sometimes, it’s simply the fear of being alone, playing on insecurities and low self-worth, or, in the worst cases, the very real fear for their own lives or their children's lives. That’s why this role resonated with me. It’s an opportunity to shed light on a growing issue and start conversations that might save lives.”
The Power of Theatre to Spark Change
For Domingo, O, Ophelia is more than just a performance; it’s a call to action.
“Art has the power to engage a broader audience, offering a powerful complement to the essential work of individual clinical discussions.”
He adds, “If this play sparks even one conversation about coercive control—between partners, friends, or family—it will have achieved its goal.”
A World-Class Talent Returns Home
Having grown up in Toowoomba and completing his medical degree across Townsville, Cairns, Mareeba, Mossman, and Mackay, Domingo’s connection to the far north adds another layer of authenticity to his performance.
“Returning to regional Queensland as an artist is incredibly fulfilling. There’s something magical about sharing a story like O, Ophelia with the communities that shaped who I am today.
“People in regional, rural, and remote areas experience domestic and family violence at higher rates than people in urban areas, facing unique challenges due to their location and the dynamics of smaller communities. That's precisely why this play's subject matter resonates deeply with regional Queensland.”
When and how to see O, Ophelia:
The regional touring co-production of O, Ophelia by JUTE Theatre Company and Overall Arts explores themes of coercive control and emotional abuse, igniting essential conversations about relationship dynamics and societal change.
This exciting new work will celebrate its world premiere in Cairns at Bulmba-ja Theatre on International Women’s Day, Friday, 7 March 2025. The Cairns season will run until Saturday, 15 March, before visiting Ipswich, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, and Yeppoon. To book, visit www.jute.com.au
About O, Ophelia
O, Ophelia is what happens when a small-town girl meets a big secret.
According to the playwright and director Amber Grossmann, Ophelia dreams of freedom at sixteen, but life in Far North Queensland feels like a dead end—until Hamish.
He’s older, clever, and thrillingly rebellious, promising a way out of her overbearing brother’s shadow. But is his world all it seems?
Content Advisories: Contains loud noise, theatrical lighting and asthma-safe haze, depictions/representations of coercive control, drug use, sexual violence, and coarse language.
Context: Coercive control, a significant driver of domestic violence, affects people of all genders in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) reports that one in five women and one in eleven men experience emotional abuse in relationships, while one in five women and one in sixteen men face physical or sexual violence from a partner.
In Queensland, coercive control will become a criminal offence in May 2025, highlighting its devastating impact.
O, Ophelia delves into these themes, exploring coercive control and relationship abuse through a creative lens. While the play avoids explicit depictions of violence, it offers a powerful and thought-provoking reflection on these urgent issues.
(pictured below:) In March, Dr Matt Domingo returns to the far north to play Hamish, a charismatic figure cloaked in darkness, in JUTE Theatre Company and Overall Arts’ co-production of O, Ophelia.
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