# Van Badham

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Australian writer and social commentator (born 1974)

Van Badham Van Badham at a 2014 march in Melbourne Born 1974 (age 51–52) Sydney, Australia Occupations Writer, social commentator Years active 2002–present[1]

**Vanessa Badham** (born 29 November, 1974) is an Australian writer and activist. A playwright and novelist, she writes dramas and comedies. She is a regular columnist for the *[Guardian Australia](/source/Guardian_Australia)* website.

## Early life and education

Vanessa Badham was born in [Sydney](/source/Sydney) in 1974.[2] Her parents worked in the [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) gaming and track industry, with her father eventually working as a manager in the [registered club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Licensed_clubs_in_New_South_Wales) industry.[3]

She studied creative writing and performance at the [University of Wollongong](/source/University_of_Wollongong),[1] graduating with Bachelor of Arts and [Bachelor of Creative Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Creative_Arts) (Honours) degrees.[4] At university, Badham won the Philip Larkin Poetry Prize in 1997, and the Des Davis Drama Prize and Comedy Prize in 2000.[5] In 2001, she went on an exchange with the [University of Sheffield](/source/University_of_Sheffield) in the UK to study English literature.[6]

At the University of Wollongong she was drawn into student politics and left-wing activism,[6] and was elected editor of the Student Representative Council newspaper, *[Tertangala](/source/Tertangala)*. She worked with the Student Union as Media Officer and Women's Officer, and sat on the Academic Senate and University Internationalisation Committee.[7] While a student, she was associated with anarchist and [anarcho-syndicalist](/source/Anarcho-syndicalist) causes; more recently, she has described her politics as democratic socialist.[8][9]

In 2013, she completed a Master of Arts degree with first class honours in Theatre at the [Victorian College of the Arts](/source/Victorian_College_of_the_Arts), [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Career

### Stage

In 1999 Badham won the [Naked Theatre Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naked_Theatre_Company&action=edit&redlink=1)'s first "Write Now!" play competition and with it a production of her winning play, *The Wilderness of Mirrors*, at the [Sydney Theatre Company](/source/Sydney_Theatre_Company)'s Wharf studio. About secret service infiltration of an activist organisation, the play brought her to public attention and she began to stage more work across Australia.[10]

In 2001, she relocated to the United Kingdom.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Her work was discovered by the [Crucible Theatre](/source/Crucible_Theatre) in [Sheffield](/source/Sheffield), who staged a collaborative production of *Kitchen* with [Nabokov Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nabokov_Theatre&action=edit&redlink=1) in 2001. A play about marriage as a metaphor for capitalism, it then toured to the [2002 Edinburgh Festival Fringe](/source/2002_Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe),[11] Her 2003 play *Camarilla* was a critical success at the [2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe](/source/2003_Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe), cementing Badham's international reputation as a proponent of radical political theatre.[12]

Badham was appointed literary manager of London's [Finborough Theatre](/source/Finborough_Theatre) in 2009 and worked there until relocating to [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne) to become an artistic associate at the [Malthouse Theatre](/source/Malthouse_Theatre) from 2011 to 2013.[13][14]

In Australia, her plays have had mainstage seasons at [Griffin Theatre](/source/Griffin_Theatre),[15] [Malthouse Theatre](/source/Malthouse_Theatre),[16] [The Sydney Theatre Company](/source/The_Sydney_Theatre_Company),[17] and [Black Swan State Theatre Company](/source/Black_Swan_State_Theatre_Company).[18]

The world premiere of *[The Questions](/source/The_Questions_(musical))*, a musical co-written by Badham with Richard Wise, was staged by the [State Theatre Company of South Australia](/source/State_Theatre_Company_of_South_Australia), in July/August 2024, directed by [Mitchell Butel](/source/Mitchell_Butel).[19] It opened to excellent reviews.[20][21][22][23]

### Other writing

In 2009 it was announced that Badham had been signed for a three-book deal by [Pan Macmillan](/source/Pan_Macmillan) Australia.[24] Her first book, *[Burnt Snow](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Burnt_Snow&action=edit&redlink=1)*, was released in September 2010. In November 2021 she released her debut non-fiction book with Australian independent publisher Hardie Grant Books, *Qanon and On*.[25]

## Media career

In 2013 Badham began writing political commentary and arts criticism for the [Guardian Australia](/source/Guardian_Australia) website.[26]

Her commentary has also appeared in publications *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, *[Bloomberg](/source/Bloomberg_News)*, *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*, *[Der Freitag](/source/Der_Freitag)*, *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*, *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*, [Women's Agenda](/source/Women's_Agenda_(website)), *[Australian Cosmopolitan](/source/Australian_Cosmopolitan)*, and *[Daily Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Daily_Life&action=edit&redlink=1)*. As a commentator, she has been a guest of *[The Drum](/source/The_Drum_(TV_program))* on [ABC Television](/source/ABC_Television_(Australian_TV_network)), *[Politics HQ](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Politics_HQ&action=edit&redlink=1)* on [Sky News Australia](/source/Sky_News_Australia), [Radio National](/source/Radio_National), *[Sunrise](/source/Sunrise_(Australian_TV_program))* and *[The Project](/source/The_Project_(Australian_TV_program))* and appeared many times as a panellist on the ABC's *[Q&A](/source/Q%26A_(Australian_talk_show))* programme.[27]

She has also been a featured speaker at the [Wheeler Centre](/source/Wheeler_Centre), [Festival of Dangerous Ideas](/source/Festival_of_Dangerous_Ideas), All About Women festival, [Melbourne Writers Festival](/source/Melbourne_Writers_Festival) and [Australian Council of Trade Unions](/source/Australian_Council_of_Trade_Unions) National Congress.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Other activities

As of 2021[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Van_Badham&action=edit) Badham is also an ambassador for the [National Secular Lobby](/source/National_Secular_Lobby).[28]

## Recognition and awards

In 1999 Badham won the [Naked Theatre Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naked_Theatre_Company&action=edit&redlink=1)'s first "Write Now!" play competition for her play, *The Wilderness of Mirrors*.[10]

Other awards for her theatre work include the 2005 [Queensland Premier's Literary Award](/source/Queensland_Premier's_Literary_Award) for *Black Hands / Dead Section*,[29] the 2014 [New South Wales Premier's Literary Award](/source/New_South_Wales_Premier's_Literary_Award) for *Muff*,[30][31] and the 2014 [Western Australian Premier's Book Awards](/source/Western_Australian_Premier's_Book_Awards) for *The Bull, the Moon and the Coronet of Stars*.[32]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-creative_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-creative_1-1) Thompson, Angela (11 September 2013). ["Creative arts a degree that will get you a job"](http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1767759/creative-arts-a-degree-that-will-get-you-a-job/). *[Illawarra Mercury](/source/Illawarra_Mercury)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170218144247/https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1767759/creative-arts-a-degree-that-will-get-you-a-job/) from the original on 18 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Van Badham: (author/organisation) Facebook page"](https://www.facebook.com/ThatVanBadham/videos/281060542552615). *Facebook*. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Badham, Van (8 August 2013). ["Would a bigger tax on cigarettes have saved my father's life?"](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/08/tobacco-industry-australia). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Arts graduates recognised as women of influence – News & Media @ UOW"](http://media.uow.edu.au/releases/UOW202664.html). *Media.uow.edu.au*. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Van Badham – Alumni @ UOW"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234029/http://www.uow.edu.au/alumni/alumnistories/creativearts/UOW220049.html). *Uow.edu.au*. 19 August 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.uow.edu.au/alumni/alumnistories/creativearts/UOW220049.html) on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated1_6-1) Huntsdale, Justin (24 August 2015). ["How student activism has helped shape the good life – ABC Illawarra NSW – Australian Broadcasting Corporation"](http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/08/18/4295563.htm). *Abc.net.au*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["UOW student publication the Tertangala celebrates 50 years – News & Media @ UOW"](http://media.uow.edu.au/releases/UOW135724.html). *Media.uow.edu.au*. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** William Verity (14 April 2013). ["The truth is out there in Van Badham's productions"](http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1428317/the-truth-is-out-there-in-van-badhams-productions/). *[Illawarra Mercury](/source/Illawarra_Mercury)*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Badham, Van (28 November 2019). ["A Facebook war in Rose Bay has destroyed my anarchist idealism"](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/28/a-facebook-war-in-rose-bay-has-destroyed-my-anarchist-idealism?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 27 July 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cahill_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cahill_10-1) Rowan Cahill. ["Workers Online : Review : 2001 – Issue 111 : Political Theatre"](http://workers.labor.net.au/111/d_review_theatre.html). *Workers.labor.net.au*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Kitchen by Van Badham | 2001 – 2002 – nabokov"](http://www.nabokov-online.com/productions/kitchen-van-badham/). *Nabokov-online.com*. 2 May 1997. Retrieved 9 March 2017.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Camarilla by Van Badham | 2003 – nabokov"](http://www.nabokov-online.com/productions/camarilla-by-van-badham/). *Nabokov-online.com*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Van Badham named Malthouse Associate Artist"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185603/https://australianplays.org/van-badham-named-malthouse-associate-artist). *AustralianPlays.org*. 26 July 2011. Archived from [the original](https://australianplays.org/van-badham-named-malthouse-associate-artist) on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Robert Reid *Making the improbable inevitable: A history of the Malthouse Theatre. Reid, Robert. Australasian Drama Studies; Melbourne, Vic. (April 2012) 170–184.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["REVIEW: The Bull, the Moon and the Coronet of Stars"](https://blogs.crikey.com.au/curtaincall/2013/06/07/review-the-bull-the-moon-and-the-coronet-of-stars-griffin-theatre-sydney/). *crikey.com.au*. 6 July 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The Bloody Chamber Trailer"](https://vimeo.com/70447108). 16 July 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Review: Spiky Feminist Romcom Crackles With Joy"](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/aug/07/banging-denmark-review-spiky-feminist-romcom-crackles-with-joy/). *The Guardian*. 8 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Animal Farm in the age of Trump"](https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-stage-show/george-orwell-animal-farm-van-badham-dylan-van-den-berg-milk/12613282/). *abc.net.au*. 9 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["The Questions"](https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/the-questions/). *State Theatre Company*. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Mead, Rachael (31 July 2024). ["Theatre review: The Questions"](https://inreview.com.au/inreview/theatre/2024/07/31/theatre-review-the-questions/). *[InReview](/source/InReview)*. Retrieved 2 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Forester, Gordon (31 July 2024). ["The Questions (State Theatre Company South Australia)"](https://limelight-arts.com.au/reviews/the-questions-state-theatre-company-south-australia/). *Limelight*. Retrieved 2 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [Harris, Samela](/source/Samela_Harris) (30 July 2024). ["The Questions"](https://www.thebarefootreview.com.au/menu/theatre/119-2014-adelaide-reviews/2698-the-questions.html). *The Barefoot Review*. Retrieved 2 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Sanders, Anita (1 August 2024). ["Theatre review: The Questions, State Theatre SA"](https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/theatre-review-the-questions-state-theatre-sa-2739351/). *ArtsHub Australia*. Retrieved 2 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["PhD student lands amazing book deal – News & Media @ UOW"](https://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW059598.html). *Media.uow.edu.au*. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Badham, Van (2022). *Qanon and on : a short and shocking history of internet conspiracy cults*. Melbourne. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-74379-787-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-74379-787-7). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1285976834](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1285976834).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Van Badham"](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/van-badham). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Renai LeMay (29 April 2014). ["ABC actively censors NBN issue on Q&A"](http://delimiter.com.au/2014/04/29/abc-actively-censors-nbn-issue-qa/). Delimiter. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Our Ambassadors – Van Badham"](https://www.nsl.org.au/about/our-ambassadors/van-badham/). *National Secular Lobby*. Retrieved 26 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["UOW News -Van's Black Hands receive prestigious liter"](http://media.uow.edu.au/news/2005/1013a/). *Media.uow.edu.au*. 13 October 2005. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Hayward, Tory (21 May 2014). ["The 2014 NSW Premier's Literary Awards |"](http://atthefestival.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/the-2014-nsw-premiers-literary-awards-winning-novel-explores-multicultural-identity/). *Atthefestival.wordpress.com*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["UOW graduate wins 2014 NSW Premier's Literary Award – News & Media @ UOW"](http://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW172799.html). *Media.uow.edu.au*. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["WA Premier's Book Awards 2014 winners announced | Books+Publishing"](http://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2014/09/23/31345/wa-premiers-book-awards-2014-winners-announced/). *Booksandpublishing.com.au*. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2017.

## External links

- [Van Badham](https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/6587) on [AusStage](/source/AusStage)

- [Van Badham](https://web.archive.org/web/20210226063041/https://australianplays.org/playwright/ASC-388) on Australian Plays

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States People Deutsche Biographie Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Van Badham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Badham) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Badham?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.