I don’t like labels. If someone tries to put me in a box then I try to break out of it as quickly as I can. But, recently when I called Club Tivoli (Melbourne’s German Club) to organise extra rehearsals for ‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets’ the German girl on the other end of the phone said…
“Hallo…?” I responded back. Then she added “Oh! You’re that theatre guy. I remember you.”
I’m that theatre guy, I thought!
After I hung up the phone, I found myself thinking long and hard about that label.
Sittin’ at the Railway Hotel in Windsor I found my mind wandering while drinking James Boag’s…over of the words in that statement…I’m that theatre guy.
Indeed, theatre has dominated my life. I’ve found myself standing on many stages across the east coast of Australia, throughout the ups and downs of my life, in every major city in fact…directing.
Sometimes, the shows I’ve been directing have dramatically mirrored my life experience so closely that I often found it hard to direct the rehearsal.
In the middle of Fitzroy Romance for example, which played successfully at La Mama several years back…while in the middle of a relationship breakdown, I was directing a show about…guess what?…a relationship breakdown.
Am I Crazy Doc For Doing It?
But, you keep going…Why?…because you’re that theatre guy.
If it’s true that we only ever have one great love in our lives, then I guess I would have to say, after considerable hours of pondering…mine would be theatre!
Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets is my 51st first show, a musical no less, that I’m producing and I’m also co-writer.
Musicals are no place for sissies is what I’m discovering.
No! Hang on! Correction! Aussie musicals…are the toughest gig in showbiz, and only the strongest of directors come out of the onslaught of an Aussie musical and production week alive…still…I’m that theatre guy, right? The German girl is right…isn’t she? Life is about challenges after all, isn’t it?
Melbourne…and particularly all my Facebook friends, if you are reading this, and I hope you are…You guys know my journey, it’s played it out for everyone to see on Facebook.
I’d like to invite you all personally to see ‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets.” It’s playing at the Melba Spiegeltent for two weeks only from 29th October to 7th November.
Bookings: Audrey Hepburn And I Consider Our Assets
Labels…Honestly, I’ve never ever liked them….(I’m still thinkin’) I don’t want to be put in a box, would you? …(still thinking)…
But, hell…I’m that theatre guy I guess!
Love always Noel x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80d8gZ7Dghk