Riding Lights




Just had an amazing week at Riding Lights Theatre Co 'Summer School', where in one week under amazing direction and incite from Play Directors Peter Hutchinson and Bridget Foreman we put on a play called "Cloud Street".

Adapted from an award winning novel by Tim Winton, the play is about two Australian families who come together to share a huge run down house in Perth in the 1940s. Sam Pickles (played by myself and later a friend - Trevor) was a gamblerholic, married to an alcoholic with 2 children. His world view (god) was based very much around the 'Shifty Shadow' of fate. In contrast to this the other family (the Lambs, with 6 children) find meaning in work and God's grace.

The lambs never the less suffer tragedy when their son 'Fish' gets drowned in a a fishing accident. He is ('like Lazarus') 'brought back to life' but suffers brain damage in the event. Despite the tragedy and Fish's eventual return to the water to commit suicide, this play was very much about hope! A real sense in which God is present in times of disaster.

In our version of the play Fish was played (brilliantly and most movingly!) by Johnathan, a young guy with Asperge's Syndrome. Indeed most of the actors and actresses were much more gifted than I am but it was great to come alongside such talent and share in what was an awesome week.

"I know it's a bit run down and it needs a lick o paint, but yer old man's just had a win love - a big win! The Shifty Shadow's shifted - can't you just feel it!"

(Photos by: Andrew Dyer: Riding Lights)

Comments

Annie G said…
Hey you were really good Neil, no need for you to be so modest!

Yes Jonathan was particularly good in his role as Fish - perfectly cast.

Nice post Neil. Take care

Annie
August 14, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Question of Identity said…
Thanks for this Annie

One of the special things about the week was the continuous sense of unity and continuous encouragement from others.

It was a week I will remember for a very long time!

Neil
August 15, 2008 at 8:11 PM
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