Benjamin Maio Mackay-
Benjamin Maio Mackay is an Australian actor, director, writer, singer, producer, host and podcaster. He is the owner/founder of Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage; a production company that specialises in producing innovative content for the theatre and the internet.[4]
Preachrs Podcast started as a Doctor Who podcast, which was successful[5] and lead to Benjamin working for the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.[6] The podcast turned into 4 live touring shows, written, directed and starring Benjamin. The shows were well received by audiences and critics alike.[7][8] The shows toured Australia. The live shows also featured comedian Rob Lloyd (Comedian).[9][10][11]
Benjamin went on to produce, adapt, direct and perform in the world premiere of Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live. The show opened in the Adelaide Fringe 2015.[12][13][14] A revised version of the show began its Australian tour Australia in 2016 to 5 star reviews.[15] The tour will again star, be directed, produced and adapted by Benjamin.[16] The tour has played Sydney, Adelaide, Mount Gambier and is returned to Adelaide in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe for Adelaide Oval.[17] Benjamin was nominated for “Best Actor in a Play,” “Best Director of a Play” for his work on Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live. The show was also nominated for “Best Play” in the 2016 Broadway World Theatrical Awards.[18] The show is reportedly finishing its tour after the Adelaide return season in early 2017.
His podcast, Benjamin Maio Mackay’s Talk 2 Me! is an entertainment chat show and has featured a wide range of celebrities. The podcast has a large following and also reviews films, theatre and DVDs on the podcast.[1] The podcast has featured Zoë Wanamaker, David Yates, Harry Lloyd, Arthur Darvill, Midge Ure, Clive Standen, Kourtney Hansen, David Stratton, Vincent Rodriguez III, Brandon Victor Dixon, Anthony Rapp, Greg Grunberg, Claudia Wells, Enver Gjokaj, Ian Bohen, Natalia Tena, Will Smith (comedian), Stephen Hall (actor), Brian Krause, Jason Watkins (actor), Mark Collie, James Marshall (actor), Hudson Leick, Cody Christian, Steven Williams, Wil Travel, Kevin Brown (actor), Hugh Fraser (actor), Rob Mills, Daran Norris, Phil Davis (actor), Adam Hills, Jerome Flynn and many more.[19]
In 2015 Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage and Benjamin Maio Mackay alongside Matthew Reilly announced an audio drama adaptation of Reilly’s best-selling novel Ice Station. A live version was performed in 2016. “Matthew Reilly’s Ice Station Live” was performed in the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and the live show piloted the first 3 episodes of the audio drama.[20] Four cast members, including Maio Mackay appeared at Supanova Pop Culture convention to promote the project. It was well received by audiences and critics. It played 15 sold-out shows, but was ultimately not picked up.[4][21][22][23][24]
Benjamin before founding Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage worked extensively in Australian theatre. He has performed in more than 30 musicals and more than 40 stage shows.[25] He is a trained pianist, singer and voice over artist.
Benjamin announced that he is producing an audio drama version of the Australian series The Phoenix Files. He announced the project in conjunction with the author Chris Morphew. The first of 3 instalments is set for a late 2017 release. Maio Mackay is adapting, performing and directing the project.[26] Paul McGann, John Jarratt, Stephen Mahy and Andrew Hansen are set to star alongside frequent Maio Mackay calibrators Jennifer Barry and Julia Sciacca.
