The Playground in the Sky 2025: A Cast and Creative Interview

This week, we sat down with 'The Playground in the Sky' director Virag Dombay and lead actors Leyla Ergasheva (Samantha) and Charlie Holt (Melanie). Here’s what they had to say…

Question: If you could place a playground in any random place, where would it be?

Leyla: On the beach. Like a very nice beach. A little beach playground with a bunch of volleyball courts and just right by the ocean.

Charlie: I think I'd put it on top of like a nice mountain. It would be really cool if you could like let's say take like a travelator? You know those... What are they called? They're like the like the swingy things gondolas gondolence on the side of the mountain. Then can arrive in magical playground.

Virag: I'm not sure where I'd pop a playground but I would love to use slides as way to get from one floor of a building to another. Can you imagine riding a slide down in the library? It would be epic!

Pictured: Leyla rehearsing a scene with ‘The Playground in the Sky’ actors Rylee McNeil and Anton Klein

Question: What is something fun you like to do when you’re feeling sad?

Leyla: I like to watch a rom-com with my friends. Get a bunch of good food, some snacks, some drinks. Or watch it with my mum. I also love my sitcoms. Friends, Brooklyn 99, How I Met Your Mother…I love them all!

Charlie: I like to listen to music that really connects me or makes me feel better. I also like to read.

Virag: I love to get lost in a good story or novel, with a warm coffee or tea in hand and my dog Babushka lying at my feet. It really warms up my soul.

Pictured: Charlie (in the centre) rehearsing a scene with the 2025 cast of ‘The Playground in the Sky’

Question: Where is you favourite spot in Brisbane?

Leyla: My favourite spot in Brisbane would probably be the city. Just because there are so many fun things you can do over there. I like shopping with my friends, there are some very nice restaurants. I like hanging out there at night, there's river fire and the city cats. It's a very iconic Brissie Space.

Charlie: I like Indooroopilly shipping centre as it has bookstores. You can get drinks or shopping. I also love my house in Brisbane because there's nothing really other than to feel like home again, especially after travelling for ten weeks.

Virag: My favourite place in Brisbane might be Sandgate. I love walking along the sea-front with our dog, taking in the view. I do also love the Brisbane Powerhouse. Whenever I perform there, I feel like I've stepped into another world. Another time.

Pictured: The cast and creatives of the Playground in the Sky during rehearsals.

Question: How does the rain make you feel?

Leyla: I like it when I'm at home. It makes you feel very calm and add peace, especially with a nice beverage and a crazy book. I just feel as though there's something about it. You just know everything's going to be okay and it sort of like a recharging energy to it.

Charlie: I love the rain because you can do a lot of things. It can make you feel really calm. I also love like sitting down on the back deck watching the rain, smelling the rain and having a nice warm mug of hot chocolate.

Virag: Like George in ‘The Playground in the Sky’, I too was evacuated from my apartment in Red Hill due to flash flooding a few years back. Like George, for many months I was scared of the rain and couldn’t help constantly looking out the window to check what level the water was at. But now, I’ve made peace with that experience and caught enjoy using a rainy day as an excuse to introvert all day!

Pictured: The cast of ‘The Playground in the Sky’ in their cast shirts

Question: What’s your favourite thing about working on “The Playground in the Sky”?

Leyla: My favourite part about working on the show would be the very, very amazing creative team and a very supportive cast. It's been very fun collaborating with everyone. It's just a very safe space for everyone can take creative risks. We can all explore and have a lot of fun while working on the show.

Charlie: My favourite thing is probably meeting new people along the way. It can be really interesting and fun to watch how different people act, especially all the older cast members. You take it all in and learn from them.

Virag: This is my second time working on 'The Playground in the Sky', having directed it in 2024 as well. Returning to this show has felt like returning home. My favourite thing about working on this show is seeing all of the hard work, enthusiasm and passion that our young people bring to their characters and to the world of the play. Working with and directing young people is truly the greatest gift.

The Playground in the Sky runs at the Ron Hurley Theatre from Monday the 22nd - Thursday 25th of September. Get your tickets now.