In this episode we’re going to hear the short story ‘Ferocious Animals’ by Luke Johnson, read by Bayley Prendergast.
Johnson is the author of the short-story collection Ferocious Animals (Recent Works Press) which takes its title from today’s short story, and an acclaimed poetry collection titled Kangaroo Unbound (Puncher & Wattman). He has won or been listed for numerous national prizes over his writing life, including the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize.
His short story ‘Ferocious Animals’ is read for us by Bayley Prendergast. Bayley is a rising talent who has had roles in numerous stage productions and television shows since graduating from the Actors Centre Australia. Roles have included Fearsome Creatures at the Old Fitz, Beautiful Thing at the New Theatre, and The Inheritance, at the Seymour Centre, and the Australian premiere of Champions. His screen credits include the Stan original shows BUMP and Watching You, the Fox Showcase series The Twelve and the short film WORM which was selected for Cinequest’s North American film festival.
'Ferocious Animals' is a gripping, intimate story set in small town suburbia on a Grand Final Day, about a father who should know better on Grand Final Day, a young son who idolises him—until he doesn’t —and a mother who exerts great power in the flinging of a worn slipper.
The story was performed at StorySALOON's November 4, 2025 show at The Vanguard, Newtown. 'Ferocious Animals' was first published in Griffith Review journal, Number 53, 2016.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about StorySALOON's live shows and podcasts at www.storysaloon.com.au
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.
