Crash victim playwright Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton’s rise to fame
Dancer, actor, model, writer, producer, director: 21-year-old fatal crash victim Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton was a dazzling talent who ‘lit up the stage’ and was rising to fame.
South West
Don't miss out on the headlines from South West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
At just 21 years old fatal crash victim Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton had an already dazzling career which was preparing to see her soar.
The dancer, actor, writer, producer, model and director was tragically killed in a crash at Benaraby, near Gladstone, Wednesday, December 14, while on the way back to her Brisbane home after her grandmother’s funeral.
The young artist, from Red Hill, had already managed to pave a successful career in the creative industry for herself.
Ms Morton’s first ever performance was when she was just three years old at her sister’s gym competition.
There was a technological issue, and when the MC asked for someone to step up and entertain the audience while they worked to fix the glitch; three-year-old Fliss jumped up to sing an ‘unpolished but heartfelt’ version of Mary had a Little Lamb.
Her hunger to perform was then ignited — a fiery passion doused too soon when her life was cut short.
Throughout her schooling life, a young Ms Moreton participated in school plays, speech, drama and dance eisteddfods, singing recitals, percussion shows, and violin showcases.
She also trained and performed with Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy in Morningside.
The dance school shared a tribute on Facebook this week.
“Our deepest condolences to the family of Felicity Morton,” they said.
“A beautiful girl who will always be in our hearts.
“May happy memories of dear Felicity bring you comfort at this sad time.”
She also trained and performed with Theatre & Dance at Coorparoo.
The creative company also shared a tribute on Facebook.
“Let’s all pause for a moment to bow our heads and remember this beautiful soul who was taken from the world,” they said.
“Fliss Morton, you will always be remembered as a kind hearted, gorgeous spirit with a smile that lit up the stage …. you were dazzling.
“You will forever be in our hearts. We are devastated.
“Our condolences and love to Felicity’s family and friends in this time, from everyone at Theatre & Dance.”
While at these dance schools Ms Morton became proficient in ballet, tap, contemporary, and jazz dance styles.
After graduating from elite Brisbane private school All Hallows in 2018, Ms Morton went on to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in drama, at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
While studying she created theatre shows and short films with her circle of creative university friends.
According to a professional actor’s statement Ms Morton wrote herself while studying at university, her love for the creative arts stemmed from her love of people and storytelling.
“I am a vibrant and dedicated emerging actor. My love of people and storytelling is what inspired me to act, and my passion to create genuine, meaningful and beautiful stories is my driving force,” Ms Morton previously wrote.
“I bring my contagious energy, industrious mentality and passion for my craft into every project I am a part of.”
Ms Morton graduated from QUT this year and had recently been accepted to complete a Master’s degree at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Despite being an all-star talent and dabbling in dance, acting and modelling, Ms Morton’s true creative aspirations were as a playwright, producer and director.
In late 2020 her first ever theatre show, Growing Pains, debuted in Brisbane.
Since then she ha also written, produced and directed The Only Kind of Soulmate which premiered at Vacant Assembly in West End, August, 2021, as a part of the Freshblood Festival.
Her third show Politics of Vodka Lime Soda, which Ms Morton also wrote, produced, and directed, came next to a sold-out audience in late October, 2021, at Blutes Bar in the Fortitude Valley.
This show was the debut for her latest creative project, an award-winning feminist theatre collective called T!TS AKIMBO – ‘where badly behaved creatives tell fem-centric stories’.
Ms Morton launched T!TS AKIMBO, with friend Kian Dillon in March this year, under which she worked as a playwright, director and producer.
The pair’s most recent project, before Ms Morton’s tragic death, was Sex Fest based in Brisbane in November, 2022.
Sex Fest was intended to demonstrate how every person, no matter their gender identification or sexuality, deserved respect — a cause she was passionate about showcasing through her creative pursuits.
The show was premiered in partnership with Fringe Brisbane, and according to T!TS AKIMBO’s Instagram page was ‘part-revolt, part-celebration, part-block party’.
It was held at the Fringe Headquarters in South Brisbane and also sold out.
According to the event description it was a ‘one-day festival with 50 fem and non-binary artists and experts across seven different rooms, giving you the sex talk you wish you had’.
It is understood a new creative project was not yet in the works following the success of Sex Fest.
T!TS AKIMBO’s co founder and Ms Morton’s close friend, Kian Dillon, has been contacted for comment.
‘You f***ing dog’: Man’s fiery email over mum’s ashes
A bayside man has avoided a conviction being recorded after breaching a domestic violence order by sending an abusive email to his ex during a bitter fight over his mother’s ashes.
$1500 gulf in fees: The SEQ councils slugging residents the most
Residents of one South East Queensland council area will pay $1500 more a year for rates, fees and water than their neighbours, new data shows. SEE HOW MUCH YOU’LL PAY.