A final goodbye

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Drop the curtains. Fade to black. Get the cast to take their bows. Time to say goodbye. This is an overly dramatic way to write my last column. After writing Wayne’s World for two years, I’ve decided to hang up my keyboard.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Drop the curtains. Fade to black. Get the cast to take their bows. Time to say goodbye. This is an overly dramatic way to write my last column. After writing Wayne’s World for two years, I’ve decided to hang up my keyboard.

Thanks for reading the column just this once, the odd time you log on or every single week. I’ve loved sharing my little views, having my dummy spits, letting you know the shows I’ve enjoyed, and naturally, my shameless self promotion. Thanks to Troy and the Aussie Theatre family for the chance to vent and brag.

I guess as this is the end of the year, it’s a good time to look at the year that has just passed. For me personally I produced two shows, but for me the most enjoyable moments have involved seeing people begin in the industry. And to see their joy in starting theatre.

I was lucky enough to direct a bunch of primary schools in a short play for the Fast & Fresh competition at the Riverside Theatre. It was so wonderful to see the joys of the kids as they discovered that feeling of treading the boards. I’m loving kids theatre at the moment, and I’m very excited that the next play of mine being produced, “The Red Kangaroo”, a play starring kids, introducing them to Australia, is making its premiere in San Francisco in just weeks.

I also loved seeing the producing debut of my actor friend Samantha Kenny with my play, “The Subtle Art of Flirting”. It sold out three seasons while in Sydney, and I was so chuffed to see it sell out a season in Melbourne too.

Now for the reason for my last column. I love theatre, and enjoy writing and producing it. But I also need a small theatre break to concentrate on other mediums for a while. While I’ll be excited to see my work produced by others, next year I already have shows planned in the US, Sydney, Melbourne and good ole Wagga Wagga; but I won’t be producing any theatre next year. So I don’t feel I should comment from the outside. I’m still going to enjoy watching theatre as a patron and am excited to see what the year ahead will produce.

So I will leave with a final comment, go see some theatre. Not just starring people you know, take a risk, see something new. Let’s keep our industry alive!