Buckle up cuties because it's time for another guest ep! If you have been to a mainstage musical in the last few years, odds are you would have seen this star on the stage, whether it be playing the role of Eliza in Hamilton or Catherine Parr in Six, she is a force in this industry and she's joined us today... it's Vidya Makan!

In today's episode Vidya chats all about the process of writing her musical 'The Lucky Country' which is opening for Melbourne Fringe this October and for Melt Festival this November! We also chat navigating Australia's industry as a minority that isn't often represented on stage and how beautiful collaboration can be in the artistic process. Of course it wouldn't be a Ratbag without opening up our hotline for your questions, and then we get Vidya improvising her own spin off Hamilton-adjacent musical in our 'Hit It Toots!'. We are beyond grateful to Vidya for joinung us. Go and follow her / her work - she is brilliant!

We hope you enjoy!

See you on Thursday for another 'Ratfood'.

Love Mel and Sam

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You can watch the full video form of this episode on YouTube HERE: https://bit.ly/MelAndSamYouTube

Follow Vidya here: https://www.instagram.com/vidyamakan/?hl=en

Buy tickets to 'The Lucky Country' for Melbourne Fringe here: https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/the-lucky-country

Buy tickets to 'The Lucky Country' for Melt Festival (Brisbane) here: https://www.melt.org.au/events/the-lucky-country/

Follow Mel & Sam on Instagram (@themelandsam) to keep up with all things pod, live shows and other nonsense. And remember, our Bring Bring Bitch hotline is always open! You can also send submissions to ratbagpod@gmail.com!

Buy tickets to our LIVE POD @ Cheerful Earful: https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/ratbag-with-mel--sam---live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-4-oct-2025-tickets?clientside_routing=true

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Mel & Sam would like to acknowledge that Ratbag is being recorded on Stolen Land.

The original custodians of this land have had a rich history of storytelling for over 65,000 years, and we pay our respects to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation whose land we are recording Ratbag on.

Treaties were never signed. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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A Grouse House Podcast

Recorded at Haven't You Done Well

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