It’s been a week since week 2 of Stories from the 428 closed- and I thought it would be nice/handy or interesting to write a little reflection on Week 2- and perhaps on the whole reflection of the project. I am in the process of de-briefing with all the directors about the project (and the process) – and this is always an important part of everything I do- it helps steer my projects, my design, my plan and focuses my passion for new work.

There couldn’t have been a more different experience for the bump in/tech of Week 2’s show. 5 directors completely prepared- wrangling blocking of a cast of 34- and 18 pieces overall. A bigger week- epic in cast and ambition. I can’t say I wasn’t a littel nervous about how this would appear. Double the cast of Week 1 (how DID that happen?) and more works. Where as Week 1 was more introspective (and contained more watery/rain references- yes the bus trips were taken in the rain)- Week 2 was a kaliedoscope of ensembles tumbling out like a morris minor filled with clowns. Two of the writers Lenton and Marlow especially responsible for the more sketch comedy style plays- fun/funny and very entertaining- a very different texture to the literary texts of Freidman and Janaczewska- or the stylistic adventurousness of Corin and Abela… or even the poetic of Erskine and Edgerton. Week 2 fulfilled the design of the project in a much more whollistic way- all writers travelled on the same bus at the same time together (this didn’t quite happen in Week 1) and the directors worked collegiately sharing actors and resources. So in the lead up- this process was working- perhaps the festival feel of the pieces helped this along? I don’t know- but the feel was very different. Not better. But different.

Tech happened. It was fun. Directors ready, clear and excited and ready to solve their own and each others challenges. And I must say that having 5 stagemanager types in the room (one actual, 3 directors who are ex stage managers and a Production manager who is a stage manager by trade) was wonderful and made everything easy.

Dress run with the actors was easy. A little weird having 34 actors to contend with- but wonderful none the less! I was scared I would look greedy or disorganised having that many actors on stage- that I was being indulgent or sloppy… and there were some decisions that needed to be made and I made them (like not having full cast on stage at all times). But it went brilliantly- actors stepped up- directors stepped up- and it was smooth and without a hitch.

Two tragedies happened that week, however. One: A director had suffered a personal loss- and had two funerals to attend in one day (wednesday) and as I had hoped- anything she needed the other directors pitched in and supplied. Two: after the dress rehearsal one night one actor (one of my favourite all time actors I have worked with) Mary Sherman, was in a motorbike accident and was rushed to the emergency department of the hospital. The director of the pieces rang me as soon as he heard and we went straight into solution solving- within 2 hours Mary’s role was recast into 4 actors who were in the cast- Cheryl Ward, Mark Dessaix, Matt Charleston, Lib Campbell came to the rescue… I went to the emergency room with a bag of snacks and foods and some of my favourite Little Golden Books to see my beloved Mary. She is recovering well and I have promised to work with her again when she is better- she is a marvellous and beautiful actor and a sublimely genuine and interesting person- the show was very different without her- but talent like her’s can’t and wont be kept down and I can’t wait to see her return to performing once she has had a full recovery.

Opening night glistened. Adrenilin/panic is an amazing thing- the evening was a rollicking adventure of a fountain of energy and fun and set up the week as one where we were turning people away at the door most nights… which was especially relieving as it was a long weekend AND daylight saving changed the times too! I couldn’t be more proud.

Of course the main thing about the 428 Project was the idea of a colleagiate team- a team who worked together to conquer an amazingly ambitious and multifacetted project which was about the community of commuters and artists who live in the area. The idea was about promoting bus travel- celebrating the good bad and the ugly of commuting. Recognising that Australian writers are up for a challenge and willing to work- and WORK HARD… that actors are brave enough to take a punt on a concept and on new work. That directors CAN work together… and really at the end of the project, the tail to this comet continues to streak across my heart.

Remarkably- it was the team who was spectacular- PJ Gahan- ever calm, clear and efficient (a multi tool triumvirate of Production Manager/Stage Manager/ technical Manager), Miles Thomas (Lighting designer), Alison Murphy -Oates (Stage Manager/mother/ friend/ Seamstress/ list maker/ legend), Gavin Roach (Sponsorship Coordinator/comic relief/ caterer/ friend), Julia Lenton (publicist/ marketing manager/ foyer decorator/ confidant/ door bitch/ list keeper/ venue liaison), Gemma Lark Johnson (Designer/ sign writer. prop maker/ costume maker), Karolina Novak (Artist/ graphic Design/ print manager), Jeremy Silver (composer/sound designer/ sound compiler/ APRA advisor) Rosie Chase (composer/ singing teacher/ musician/ counsellor), Grant Moxom (webdesign/cheerleader).

EVERYONE involved went above and beyond- and all I can say is that I am humbled by the energy, the passion, the professsionalism, the commitment, the humour, the community of artists which defied gravity and expectations and made Stories from the 428 what it was. And it is impossible to do anything but remember never to underestimate artists and their ingenuity, their drive, passion and focus- and I am honoured to keep such company.

Thank you to all who came along to support the show… and All the artists and crew on board (whether it was for three months or for one month) – Theatre is what you make it.

In eight days time, Sidetrack Theatre will be hosting the first week of Stories from the 428. In under 3 months, two groups (a cluster perhaps?) of 8 writers will have created two full length works – which have been auditioned for by 150 actors, rehearsed by 8 directors and finally staged at Sidetrack Theatre, in the Addison road centre…

Largely this has been a playground for theatre practitioners: writers- given permission to write hatever they want (to a maximum of 12 minutes) and know that whatever they offer, will be staged. Directors- given actors, time, space and scripts with which to work. Actors- given a chance at being a part of an exclusive Australian premiere. Designers- given the chance and the challenge to create for 32 vignettes…

Over the past 6 weeks, I have been asked “where did the idea for this project come from?” and “what’s it about”… to which I take a deep breath and reply- community.

It seems as though the more tools we have to keep in touch- mobile phones, texting, email, facebook, internet- the harder it is to feel well and truly connected to people. As the tidal wave of technology swells, and the immediate heat of someone else’s presence subsides and is substituted for the blue glow of a computer screen… However- it is a truth that I hold with both fists- that ultimately all humans- regardless of faith, background and politics yearns to be loved and understood. We need each other- we want to be around and with each other- because it gives us something to respond to. Something to think about. Something to learn. People seek to teach and seek to be taught by each other- we yearn for a connection or a connectedness that reassures and reminds us- we are not alone.

To best explore this notion, this project has a two fold approach-
Firstly, it seeks to create a collegiate space within which writers and directors work together, sharing cast and resources. It seeks to create a realm wherein all crew are valued for what they bring to the community of artists- and a keen awareness that without anyone person working on a show- we are weaker. 428 would be nothing without Gavin Roach as sponsorship coordinator- it wouldn’t be lit without Miles Thomas, nor would people be rehearsing and scheduled without Alison Murphy-Oates. There would be movement but no sound with Jeremy Silver, No one would have an image to associate with it- if it wasn’t for Karolina, no one would have heard of it without Julia Lenton… without PJ Gahan at the helm- I don’t know what we would be doing… and without the tenacity and designs from Gemma-Lark Johnson- the stage would not be set. And without Leah McGirr- no proof that any of this ever happened. This is the crew and creatives that have created a community- taking care of each other, the show and the to-do lists.

Secondly, this is a show which reaches out into the community to say, that local is wonderful, inspiring- that the everyday is important and sublime- that theatre isn’t for the lucky, the rich nor the recent art school graduates- it is for everyone- and it is as simple and honest as telling a story about where we live- how we feel- what we think- what we yearn for- what frightens us- what annoys us… this is a snapshot of the community which thrives along the artery of the 428 bus route.
This is a reaction to the life and times of where we are- it is a reflection, a response, a fantasy and a re-telling… which says to all – “you are not alone, you are not invisible, you are apart of my community whether you know it, want it, like it, or not.”
Week 1 is stunningly beautiful, quirky and surprising- check out the work from:

The writers: Vanessa Bates, Kit Brookman, Rebecca Clarke, Sime Knezevic, Ned Manning, Brooke Robinson, Alison Rooke and Phil Spencer.

The Directors: Zoe Carides, Glenn Hazeldine, Augusta Supple, Ian Zammit.

The Cast: Anna Lise Phillips, Rob Jago, Stephen Peacocke, Emma Jones, Jan Langford-Penny, Brendan Hawke, Leo Domigan, Felix Jozeps, Bridgette Sneddon, Julian Ramundi, Suz Mawer, Amy Kersey, Jovana Miletic, Kailah Cabanas, Felix Gentle, Adam Demos and Helena Stamoulis

Go to the theatre- embrace your community- experience something completely new and unexpected- go on… can’t be as bad as waiting for someone to “like” something on your facebook page…

Stories from the 428 launched last night- with the help from our friends at the Coopers Hotel in Newtown, Marrickville Council, ACTT and Queen Street Studio- writers, directors, designers, crew came together to have a few drinks, to meet the people who they will be working with in the next 3-4 weeks. This launch was for the participants… United by a love of theatre, new Australian Playwriting and buses- nearly 100 local artists are starting rehearsals this week.

Combining the a mix of writers from a range of backgrounds this is theatre at its most diverse- a patchwork of ideas that are stitched together through the common experience of the 428 Bus ride from Circular Quay to Canterbury.

What never ceases to amaze me is the passion people have within them – to make theatre- to make anything where before there was nothing. It is truly breathtaking.

People from different backgrounds and different levels of experience coming together to say something they believe in…

People who wouldn’t ordinarilly cross paths, meet each other in the context of this type of project- share ideas, contribute, support and inspire each other.

But one thing is for certain- without an audience these stories are mute, these ideas lay dormant. It is the everyday and the ordinary which inspires us to come together and share our Stories.

All this will come together in 3 weeks at Sidetrack Theatre. Tickets are $25… hope to see you at the show!
http://sa2.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/EventSearch?presenter=AUCENTURY&event=428STORY