Merran Hughes
Interdisciplinary artist and writer Merran has a particular focus on the ocean and our fragile coastal systems. Much of her work and advocacy stems from that love and concern.
That care led to her co-founding, with a group of friends, Blue World, to ”catalyse positive change for a clean and thriving ocean” for which Valerie Taylor (one of the biggest guns in ocean advocacy) is a patron.
Merran is also an amateur historian and has brought the story of the great Australian competitive swimmer Fanny Durack from the early 1900s to our attention. And of course, this interest led Merran to co-writing a vaudevillian musical about Fanny and another local swimmer Mina Wylie.
“My Bondi story stems from my passion for swimming and the ocean. My writing, artwork and recreation centre on our coast.
My current project is a vaudeville musical comedy. Dangerous When Wet - The Musical is about local pioneer swimmers Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie of Wylie’s Baths. Actually Fanny Durack swam at Bondi Baths at the height of her career, and even broke world records in our local pool. A local that should be claimed!
Dangerous When Wet tells the story of the women’s fight to compete at the 1912 Olympics, their rivalry and, at the heart of it all, their friendship. We have an incredible creative team. I’m working with Eliane Morel, Joanna Weinberg and Daryl Wallis, and the comedy is written in the vaudeville style, which suits the era and is so much fun.
Dangerous When Wet premieres at Randwick Town Hall from 8–18 October 2026. So come along, and enjoy a Sydney story. We even have a sea horse.
Cypriana Singh plays Fanny Durack and Grace Trainor plays Mina Wylie”.
Bookings: dangerouswhenwet.com.au Tix $25-$100
It’s going to be a very fun night out.
Matt and Andy from Macelleria Bondi
New Mural by Trish Garcia
Squad Time
David Leser with the Book
