Pinchgut Patter: July 2026

July 2026

Welcome to the very first edition of Pinchgut Patter, a brand new feature in where we shine a spotlight on the artists and creatives who bring our productions to life.

This month, we're catching up with director Eugene Lynch, who returns to us following his delightful work on Maid Made Boss last year. Eugene is currently busily preparing to direct our upcoming production of Coffee and a Dead Canary.

To help you get to know the person behind the productions, we asked Eugene a handful of light-hearted questions from what he's working on at the moment, to his coffee order. Enjoy getting to know the mind behind Coffee and a Dead Canary.

Tell us what you are up to at the moment?

Today, I spent the day finalising the design for Coffee & a Dead Canary in beautiful Balmain! It’s a joy to be silly with Mel (set designer) & Veronique (lighting designer) … and I can’t wait to show you what we’ve dreamed up!

How do you like to spend a day off?

Walking, reading & café hopping! I just spent 10 weeks working in Brisbane so when we had a day off, it was spent exploring the city on foot and finding the best coffee around… I’m crossing my fingers that all that coffee is tax-deductible - thanks to this project!

What’s your favourite book.

I just finished re-reading Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red – a gorgeous re-imaging of a myth that had essentially been lost to the sands of time.

My other favourite book (at the moment) is The Maniac by Benjamín Labatut. It traces a series of thoughts through the 20th century so begins as a fictionalised autobiography of John von Neumann who invented an early computer called MANIAC I. It basically explores the history of artificial intelligence and ends with Lee Sedol’s Go match against AlphaGo. It’s heady, moving and gives you a lot to chew on! Highly, highly recommended!

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received - on stage or in life?

Be light, be cool…

It’s advice that seems to work well on and offstage!

What's your favourite city you've visited?

Tokyo is a wonder! It’s a true metropolis that allows you to get absolutely lost and discover something incredible and lifechanging. It’s a mecca for design and I always leave the city inspired… and with a bunch of new clothes! Also… maybe the best coffee in the world is there!

On that note, how do you take your coffee?
Cappuccino with skim milk, puh-lease!