I was a Shadow of my Former Self!

Reasons for Some Hardcore Recuperation Time:
The Director’s Season ’08 at the VCA
The Melbourne International Festival
Brutal Aussie virus

Treatment:
Three Days in Lorne!
While it was overcast and there were almost NO waves to speak of, it was WARM…even at night! I enjoyed a sneaky surf on little waves on Saturday afternoon with Alex, and the laziest of all days possible on the beach on Sunday! It was good to relax, spend time with friends and catch up with myself before heading back to the hectic city.

Okay...so it doesn't look hectic! This is a view of Princes Bridge from Southbank in the early evening on a hot day.

Note to Self #15

It is inevitable that one will have to deal with a ridiculous bout of sickness after a show closes. Maybe going for that Lymphatic Drainage massage 2 days ago was not such a good idea. I have copped a wicked virus sweet!
Aussie term: To cop it sweet means to take it on the chin; deal with the consequences whether it's a pie in the face, a stiff uppercut to the chin or the world's worst flu.

Cohen and Glass In Concert

More great performances at the Melbourne Fetsival this week! Last night we saw Leonard Cohen and Philip Glass present their collaborative musical interpretation based on Cohen’s art and his book, The Book of Longing. It was long, and sometimes slow and sometimes beautiful and funny.(Glass is on the piano on the left, and Cohen is on the right.) Brenda and Samara and I perched in the balcony of the State Theatre in the Arts Centre.

10 Cool Things About Directing at the VCA

1. I didn’t have any ushering duties.
2. I only vomited 3 times from nerves.
3. Our venue was nicknamed STRIKEZONE.
4. The 72 tires stayed in the venue…we didn’t have to toss them down halls or between floors.
5. I have learned to better appreciate the term "ephemeral"...often bandied generously around the VCA.
6. I loved watching the works my colleagues directed.
7. We had great audiences.
8. Closing night was A GOOD TIME! (understatement)
9. I didn’t go over budget.
10. Someone else is picking up and disposing of the tires.

Patti LIVE!

Now that our directing season is over, the Postgrad directors are enjoying 2 weeks at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. On Sunday night, we went to see Patti Smith In Concert. Pretty damn cool!

“Chookas!”

...is the Australian equivalent to “Break a Leg” in the theatre. Apparently it is a term that may have been born in Western Australia…and it has something to do with chickens.
Regardless of its provenance and meaning…it’s good fun to say!

The cast of 27 WAGONS FULL OF COTTON: Alex, Nikki, Josh and their director on closing night.

Note to Self #14

Do not smash people when they make the following tire puns:

"You must be tired of moving those from room to room!"

"You have a wheel-y cool set."

"Look at you! You're on a roll!"