Enquiries re. performance rights etc can be sent to Noel’s Literary Agent, BMEG.
e: mav@bmegonline.com m: 0418 608 194
Published in 2023: “Plays: Noel Hodda.” A book containing The Secret House, Half Safe, Across The Water, Threat: Norma, Norm & The Dog and In This Light. Published by Janus Imprint.
The book was launched at Flight Path Theatre by esteemed Australian playwright Michael Gow.
Photo by Robert Catto.
Photo by Robert Catto.
Contact via the Contact page for direct purchase from the playwright.
Most recent Production:
In This Light had its World Premiere in November 2022 at Flight Path Theatre in Sydney. 
In this light, everything is possible.
In This Light is set in a world both familiar and foreign with characters isolated by choice or fate until the past literally walks into the middle of the hidden present, changing the future irrevocably.
From the Australian bush to the streets of Paris In This Light sends its roots through two continents, eight lives, a new generation and bravery born of lost and found love. Secrets are revealed and hope rises with the light of a new day.
Some quotes from reviews of the production:
“In This Light” is a play that supplies nourishment as well as entertains…” “This is big, bold storytelling.” “A knockout piece of theatre” “…deeply honest and compassionate…” “Exquisite…”
The play was directed by Des James, designed by Angelina Meany, with a lighting design by Grant Fraser. Sound design was by Jeremy Ghali. The outstanding cast was Sophie Gregg, David Adlam, Kate Bookalil, David Woodland, Tom Cossettini and Omray Kupeli.
In May & November of 2021 two different but equally stellar casts assembled for round table readings of drafts of In This Light prior to production…
In Development:
Rehearsing Julie, a play set in 1908 & 1966 as an elderly actor recalls a formative time from her past.
Bright September, a play set in the world of modern music.
Other recent work:
Threat: Norma, Norm & The Dog: A triple bill of discrete one act plays – Norma, Norm and The Dog. The plays can be presented together in any combination or separately. 2F/2M/2F & 2M. Minimum cast of complete trilogy 4: 2F & 2M, or more to suit. Threat: Norma, Norm & The Dog is available for production.
Audio project: An audio version of Norm, Part 2 of the trilogy of one act plays that make up Threat: Norma, Norm & The Dog. Recorded by Bill Conn & Noel Hodda, directed by Noel Hodda.
Short film:
A short film based on Norma, Part 1 of Threat: Norma, Norm & The Dog was shot in late 2020. Two extraordinary actresses, Di Smith and Di Adams, came on board and a great production team in Leo Bosi (Camera), Ken Moffatt (Lighting & Production Mgr) & David Lynch (9th Best Boy) handled all the technical aspects. The film was directed by Noel Hodda.
Watch the film on Vimeo by hitting this link.
The film was shot in The Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville and a huge thanks goes out to Kate Bookalil & Siobhan Lawless for offering their theatre.
An audio version edited by the writer from the film soundtrack of NORMA featuring Di Adams & Di Smith can be played below:
Past Work:
The Secret House: First produced by The Griffin Theatre Company at The Stables Theatre in 1987, this play marked the directorial debut of Michael Gow, who was also an extraordinary dramaturge for the project. Subsequent productions at The Hole In The Wall Theatre Perth and Playbox Theatre Melbourne as well as amateur and student productions including The National Theatre Drama School in Melbourne. 2 M / 2 F. Available for production.
“…a humorous, fascinating yet horrific study of a family; …tunes the humour and the horror so that both empathy and revulsion are pitched against each other in fine tension.” Angela Bennie. The Australian
“…a ripper, full of passion and anger and sorrowful humour.” Bob Evans. The Sydney Morning Herald
“…a wonderful play, a play of great sensitivity and a most poignant piece of theatre.” Susan Bredow. The Daily Telegraph
Half Safe: Originally commissioned by The Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney and first produced in 1990 in a co-production with the Riverina Theatre Company, a company Noel was a founding member of. Des James directed and the production toured the Riverina before playing at The Stables Theatre in Sydney. Half Safe is a discrete companion play to The Secret House. 2 M / voices off. Available for production.
“The play’s structure is beautifully controlled…Hodda’s achievement as playwright is profound. …I recommend this play unreservedly.” Adrian Wintle. The Daily Advertiser.
“…hilarious, terrifying and moving. …a rare blend of the laconic vernacular…with a disturbing resonance of the absurd in Pinter.” David Gilbey. The Leader.
“Hodda constructs an often haunting filigree of thoughts and hints and guesses which reach to the very heart of being human.” Brian Hoad. The Bulletin.
Photographs: Commissioned for and performed by the graduating performance students at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga under the direction of Ray Goodlass. This play was later revised for the Griffin Theatre Playreading Network and with new scenes and associated re-writes it was presented as a smaller cast version in a rehearsed reading. David Lynch directed and the reading had a stellar cast including David Wenham, Sancia Robinson and Karen Vickery.
The two versions of Photographs (larger cast: 9 F / 4 M {adjustable} and sundry characters played by company; smaller cast: 6 F / 2 M) are most suitable for production by student ensembles or community groups. Both versions available for production.
Later: The premise and some of the material of Photographs were used for a new more concise play titled Later which was workshopped in 2003 at the Rex Cramphorn Studio at Sydney Uni under the direction of Des James before then being chosen to be workshopped in 2004 at the Banff playRites Colony in Canada.
Across The Water: The play Later was subsequently completely re-written, changing the time period and the approach to the characters and was re-born with a new title, Across The Water. 
The play had its premiere production in November 2013 at The Valley Artists under the direction of Bob Philippe. 3 M / 2 F. Available for production.
“…a beautifully evocative and poetic elegy. It’s dense and structurally complex, but always clear, amusing and moving…” John Senczuk.
Across The Water is a discrete companion play to The Secret House and Half Safe. Each play stands alone but taken together they form The Lake Cycle. They could be produced together in any combination.
Across The Water also had a very successful rehearsed reading at the Bowen Library Maroubra in July 2016 as part of their cultural program. The reading was directed by Bill Conn.
More Past Work:
On The Public Record: Commissioned for and performed by the graduating performing arts students at The University of Wollongong and presented as part of a double bill with Under The House by Wendy Richardson. The director was John Senczuk. 4 M / 3 F and doubling/sundry characters played by company. Available for production.
Never A Moment’s Peace & Our Doors Were Always Open: Site-specific local history based one-act plays presented as part of the Pyrmont/Ultimo Festival in Sydney.
Enquiries re any of the plays or other writing can be addressed through BMEG.
Television and Corporate: Blind Freddy and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, episodes of the ABC television series GP. Multiple Corporate Videos and Training Films for Optus Communications, State Rail and private companies.
Non-Performance Writing: Contributions to Grapeshot, a literary magazine published in Wagga in the late 1970s. Noel was also co-editor of several issues. Short Stories And Landscapes: Poems 1989-1992, a limited edition self-published poetry collection.