WOMEN OVER 40 - the cabaret

  LINDSEY BROWN is a playwright based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Born in the United Kingdom, Lindsey moved to Aotearoa New Zealand aged four. Her passion for performing arts began at a young age and she was initially a keen musical theatre and improvisational performer before moving into scriptwriting.

Lindsey holds a Masters of Creative Writing from Auckland University of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and a Diploma of Secondary Teaching through the University of Auckland. She has worked as a literacy, English and Drama teacher for over fifteen years.

She has penned over forty plays, ranging from one minute long to full-length and with roles for ages 5-99. Lindsey’s collection also includes plays written specifically for schools, which draw on her own teaching experience. 

Lindsey’s plays have won a number of national and international awards, including the Mixing It Up Productions New York One Act Competition 2022, the Show Off 2022 Competition for Camino Real Playhouse, California, and the Long Beach Playhouse New Works Festival 2021, California. In 2020 she was also the recipient of the PANZ Outstanding Achievement Award.

Recently, Zeus Needs a Holiday and Lost in Ever After were named as finalists in the Playmarket NZ Plays for the Young Competition 2023. A Woman Over Forty was the winner of the Chameleon Theatre Circle’s 24th Annual New Play Contest (one-act category), Minneapolis, Minnesota. And Cyber Love Criminal won the PANZ One Act Competition 2023.
Lindsey often favours comedy in her writing, believing that when we laugh, we are most open to learn. Her plays contain strong roles for women that like to challenge universal themes.

   ANNA HONEYCHURCH is a Northern Rivers based pianist, vocalist and Creative Director, and the founder of Merge Music, a platform for live performance, youth music development and bold creative work.

She currently teaches piano and voice at Emmanuel Anglican College and St Francis Xavier in Ballina, alongside her work across performance, music direction and creative leadership.

She is the creator and co-director of Sisters of Neon, a 50+ voice women’s choir, and co-director of The Material Girls Choir in Byron Bay. Her work is strongly women-focused, creating powerful, voice-led musical experiences that bring people together through performance and shared expression.

Prior to 2020, she led a women’s collective, producing events centred on women’s health and wellbeing, including the Women, Wisdom and Wine series.

Originally from Tasmania, Anna built her career as both a music educator and working musician, performing regularly in bands, duos, piano bars, weddings and live venues, including as a resident performer at Launceston Casino.

With a musical foundation in jazz and classical performance, Anna studied at the University of Tasmania and continues to work as a performer, director and creator across multiple musical settings.

In Women Over 40 – The Cabaret, Anna performs as narrator, pianist and ensemble vocalist.

  CASS EAGER is an award-winning Australian singer-songwriter celebrated for her rich, soulful R&B sound and commanding vocal presence. Blending vintage soul influences with contemporary songwriting, her work explores themes of love, resilience, self-belief, and the complexities of the human experience.

Her music has been featured in major international campaigns for McDonald’s and Hyundai, as well as across leading global platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Nine Network, Discovery and E! Entertainment—reflecting the emotional depth and cinematic quality of her songwriting.

In 2025, Cass was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Great American Song Contest, receiving First Place in the R&B category and Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting, along with finalist honours in the Pop category. She also won the R&B category at the 2024 Unsigned Only Competition and has been recognised across multiple international songwriting platforms, including the USA Songwriting Competition, UK Song Contest and the International Songwriting Competition.

Renowned for her engaging live performances, Cass has toured extensively across Australia and internationally, connecting with audiences through warmth, humour and powerful vocals. Her performance highlights include appearances for Prince Harry and tours entertaining international troops across the Middle East, East Timor, Egypt and the Solomon Islands. She has also shared the stage with artists such as Bob Egan (Wilco), Ash Grunwald and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Her EP Down On My Knees was voted a Top 10 Album of the Year in Rhythms Magazine.

Beyond the stage, Cass works across music, radio and live storytelling, including guest appearances on ABC’s Nightlife. In 2026, she expands into theatre as both performer and musical director of the cabaret production Women Over 40, debuting at the Byron Theatre.

  CATHY LEVINS, is a vibrant performer whose life is a dazzling tapestry of creativity across stage, screen, and studio. Her journey began at an astonishingly young age—modelling at 14, rocking out with a band at 15, and stepping into lead roles in Hard Hearted Hannah and Salad Days as a teen musical theatre performer in WA. She soon appeared in TV commercials, films including Windrider and Tudawali, and brought her expressive voice to theatre stages across NSW.

At just 20, she earned a coveted place at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. But true to her adventurous spirit, Cathy followed her heart into original music instead, securing a remarkable five‑album worldwide deal with EMI/MCA by the age of 25.

After a fulfilling hiatus to raise her twin daughters, Cathy reinvented herself as a creative force—co‑founding a national events company and later producing major festivals in some of New South Wales’ most iconic Tourism locations. Yet the pull of performance never left her.

Now, in a thrilling new chapter, Cathy has returned to her roots, stepping back into the spotlight as the charismatic frontwoman of Sydney’s beloved 70s rock band Alive in the 70s. Embracing her bold stage persona, Mama Cath, she delivers powerhouse vocals and emotional storytelling, creating an unforgettable connection with audiences in an all‑women ensemble.

While she frequently dazzles crowds in Sydney, Cathy proudly calls the Northern Rivers home, where life revolves around music, acting, family, and nature walks with her beach‑loving horse and dog.

From teenage theatre leads to film actor, voice artist, singer, and dynamic live performer, Cathy’s creative evolution continues to unfold— showcasing her relentless growth, creativity, and willingness to embrace new opportunities with each passing season. 

  JOY MILLER's career in the performing arts spans decades of rich and varied experience across musical theatre, cabaret, and television. She began her journey in Brisbane in the late 1960s, performing in theatre restaurants and revues where she developed her natural flair for comedy, character work, and live performance.

In the 1970s, Joy relocated to Sydney to join the highly successful cabaret group The Glitter Sisters, a dynamic ensemble of five women celebrating the music and style of the 1940s. The show enjoyed an extended run and toured extensively across Australia.

Whilst doing The Glitter Sisters she performed regularly on The Mike Walsh Show and Don Lane show.  This period also included a Royal Command Performance for King Charles at the Sydney Opera House.  

Her stage career continued to flourish with roles in major productions, including the original Australian production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She went on to appear in the original Sydney Theatre Company production of Chicago, performing in the ensemble before stepping into the iconic role of Mama Morton during the production’s Hong Kong season.

Joy was also part of the original Australian production of Les Misérables, further cementing her place within the country’s musical theatre landscape. Her additional theatre credits include Billy Elliot (Melbourne season), Stepping Out, Half Time, and numerous other stage productions. including PS you’re Cat is Dead – Sydney and Tricks a magic show with Ross Skiffington Sydney

Alongside her theatre work, Joy has appeared in a range of Australian television series, All Saints, Water Rats, Home & Away, GP, Waterloo Station, Young Doctors, Arcade, The Office, A Country Practice, and All Saints, demonstrating her adaptability across both stage and screen.

Joy is delighted to be part of this cabaret production, working alongside a talented cast and under inspired direction.

  OLGA TAMARA’s career is a remarkable journey across dance, theatre, television, and directing. She began as a dancer with The Australian Ballet, touring internationally and performing alongside the legendary Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. In 1976, she made a bold transition from ballet to acting, following a deep passion for storytelling and performance.

Her breakout role in Glenview High earned her the ABC TV Penguin Award for Best New Talent, launching a successful screen career. Olga became a familiar presence on Australian television, with regular roles in Cop Shop, Holiday Island, and Arcade, along with guest appearances in Chopper Squad, The Young Doctors, Paradise Beach, Blinky Bill , Wild Ass of a Man (with Max Gillies) and The Last Frontier with Jack Thompson and Linda Evans. Most recently, she appeared in The Office.

Alongside her screen work, Olga has built a theatre career, performing leading roles in productions such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sacred Heart, Waiting for Rupert Murdoch, and Morning Sacrifice. Her work in short plays further highlights her versatility and commitment to live performance.

Since 2006, Olga reconnected with her classical roots as a Guest Artist with The Australian Ballet, performing character roles in Romeo and Juliet, Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker, Giselle, La Sylphide, Swan Lake, Onegin, Manon, and Raymonda.

Trained at the Hayes Gordon Theatre and Ensemble Theatre, and continuing her development through private coaching, Olga has also established herself as a director. Her directing credits include Sweethearts, Basket Case, Margot’s Bench, Socialite Networking, and the full-length play ASYLUM written by Ruth Fingret,  which received rave reviews during its' 2023 Sydney season.

With decades of experience across multiple disciplines, Olga continues to be a dynamic and respected force in the performing arts.

 In her role as producer and Director of WOMENT OVER 40, Olga  is thrilled to bring this  cabaret celebration of life, love, loss—and everything in between  to the stage in its' debut performances at the Byron  Theatre. 

EMILY TURNER  is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work moves effortlessly between stage, studio, and soundscape. A performer, songwriter, and voice-over artist based in the Northern Rivers, Emily began her professional journey early—signing with Warner/Chappell at just 22—before spending the next two decades shaping a rich, soulful voice grounded in jazz and R&B across Melbourne and the Northern Rivers.

In 2022, she deepened her technical craft with a Bachelor of Audio from SAE, bringing a refined ear to both performance and production. Her recent return to the stage has been nothing short of dynamic. In 2023, she made her theatre debut with Bangalow Theatre Company in HAIRand The Beast (Eddie Perfect), quickly followed by a screen appearance in the documentary Aquarius.

Emily’s creative reach extends well beyond performance. She is an award-winning costume designer (Into the Woods, 2024) and a nominated sound designer (Speaking in Tongues), with credits spanning The Almighty Sometimes, 10 Minutes of Fame, and High School Musical. A passionate collaborator, she has also developed and performed in cabarets at the Drill Hall Theatre and worked as a backing vocalist for regional artists.

Now in her fourth year as voice-over announcer for the Australian Women in Music Awards, Emily continues to carve out a distinctive artistic voice—one that blends sound, story, and soul with striking authenticity.

Emily is delighted to join this incredible cast of women and as she continues to push the boundaries, weaving sound, story and soul into her work.