
The Eternally Hopeful
BY ISABELLE DAVIS

22-26 SEPTEMBER | EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
BY ISABELLE DAVIS
"While there's life, there's hope." - Cicero.
Isabelle Davis, in partnership with Fresh Works, premieres The Eternally Hopeful, a compelling new song cycle featuring four actors and a piano. The exploration of hope through multiple mini narratives theorises that humans are inherently hopeful, culminating in a 50 minute collection of songs and stories that either expose the hidden optimist in each of us - or truly affirm our pessimism.
We could all use hope right now, could we not? Or is hope naivety setting us up for failure? Davis’ offering is that hope is innate, and in presenting stories with varying degrees of hope she poses a challenge: Was Cicero right, that while there is life, there is hope? Is it okay to feel hopeful when the world is on fire? Is that perhaps why we must?
With strong, dynamic performances and a stunning score, The Eternally Hopeful is sure to provoke thoughtful, reflective conversation on our values, our hopes and our fears.
VENUE
EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
Rear Laneway, 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
DURATION
50 minutes
WARNINGS
ACCESSIBILITY
Explosives Factory is accessed via a flight of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
"Isabelle is one of the most dedicated and driven creatives I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. Her professionalism on stage and in the studio makes her a joy to work with, and her talents both as a songwriter and performer never cease to amaze me.”
- Liam Bell, CEO of Playlunch

DATES + TIMES
Tuesday 22 September - 7:30pm (Preview)
Wednesday 23 September - 7:30pm (Opening)
Thursday 24 September - 7:30pm
Friday 25 September - 7:30pm
Saturday 26 September - 7:30pm

Theatre Works has a lockout policy for latecomers. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you don't miss out.
Refunds will not be issued to latecomers.
TICKETS
FULL PRICE
CONCESSION*
PREVIEW
$38.00
$30.00
$28.00
*Seniors, Student, MEAA, Health Care and Low Income card holders

CREDITS
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY
Isabelle Davis
MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND ACCOMPANIST
Daniele Buatti
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Anita Mei La Terra

MEET THE ARTIST
ISABELLE DAVIS
Isabelle Davis is a Melbourne based, Shanghai raised and WAAPA trained Actor and Singer/Songwriter. Her theatre credits include Children of the Air (Be New 2025), Fizzy the Fairy (Banyule City Council - also written by Davis), Romeo and Juliet (MSC), The 3 Little Pigs (AG Theatre), Sharehouse: The Musical (Arts Centre Presents), Outback Adventures (MSC) and Ordinary Days (Be You Productions). Isabelle released her debut album An Inconvenient Youth in October 2025, following five singles and an EP released since 2021. Isabelle also features on the original cast recording of Jude Perl’s Sharehouse: The Musical, and as the singing voice of Talia Wick in the audio drama The Realm Tree.


