Homelessness, drug-taking and begging are not normally the stuff of comedy. But for the Melbourne public housing residents who have channelled their real-world experiences into a new web series, humour drawn from life is a way to show a side of their community that many on the outside otherwise might never see.
Creator and co-writer Will Weatheritt came up with the idea for a show about life in the towers while he was working at a supermarket in Smith Street, Collingwood. He became friendly with some of the resident-customers , and would sometimes visit their homes to lend a hand. That gave him a unique insight into their cares, concerns and above all the humour they used to cope with life’s challenges.
Cast members of the FLATS series in the Fitzroy public housing flats, Jeff McNair, Jessie Pulis Will Weatheritt and Adut Miar.Resident-turned-cast member Adut Miar says the series was only possible because Weatheritt had earned the cast’s trust. “Will has that relationship with everyone in this area,” she says.
Acting, he says, has much in common with the weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings he attends. “I do it all the time,” McNair says. “You’re acting out your story with other people.”The dialogue is often drawn from real life too. When Joey complains of being served endless meals with mashed potato in prison, for example, McNair’s character replies, “same as in the psych ward”. The scene was shot last year, shortly after McNair had left a psychiatric unit., too.