30.10.24
Hello, it’s Andrea here, Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatremaker and Associate Artistic Director, reporting for duty.
I have one of the best jobs in the world. I’m wing lady to Declan Greene (one of Australia’s hottest and brightest Artistic Directors in town) and I get to contribute to the programming of new Australian Theatre and direct a Griffin play once a year.
You may have noticed that a certain King and Queen did but “pass us by” during their fleeting (pun intended) visit to Gadigal Country; and I’m writing this note as the helicopters hover overhead while they visit Redfern.
You may also have heard about Djabwurrung/Gunnai/Gunditjmara Senator Lidia Thorpe’s protest performance of sorts at Parliament House—wrapped in a possum skin cloak, gum leaves in hand, loud, projected, unwavering voice—that captured the world’s attention and forced us to reconsider, yet again, the troubled foundations of our country… and it’s got me thinking about politeness.
(Disclaimer: I have a bloodline connection to Senator Thorpe through my Grandmother).
Imagine if theatre was always polite—merely a place to be humbled and entertained? Imagine if we didn’t have a place to sit in the dark in communion with others to consider the big questions of our nation and the world around us, as Australia continues to grapple with its place in the world?
Griffin is currently couch surfing while our beloved SBW Stables Theatre readies herself for redevelopment and we are bunking down with Hayes Theatre Co for Flat Earthers: The Musical written by the blindingly talented trio, Jean Tong, Lou Wall and James Gales and directed by Declan. I think Hayes and Griffin are making good housemates and, needless to say, Declan has taken to directing musicals like a duck to water.
I must admit, I’m not a big musical theatre-goer, but I had the great pleasure of donning my “Illuminati chic” and getting on down to the opening night; and even this old girl had a rollicking good time. This show is not at all polite and might even be a little risqué, but boy oh boy (or should I say, girl oh girl/them oh them!) does Flat Earthers have something to say about the states of mind on our planet. If you haven’t experienced this funny and supremely smart musical, catch it while you can!
Meanwhile I’m in pre-production for Alana Valentine’s Nucleus that’s first cab off the rank next year and, even though I’ve read the play a gazillion times, it’s just impossible for me not to be reduced to a blubbering mess by the sheer beauty of the writing and Alana’s call to arms to save our planet and love each other with all our might.
In the meantime, our hothouse of resident artists at the Griffin Studio (Josipa Draisma, Jorjia Gillis and Jacob Parker) and our inaugural Suzie Miller Award winner (Mary Rachel Brown) are tinkering away at their craft, considering the big questions of the nation and being not at all polite.
I pinch myself at the great privilege I have at Griffin to bear witness to these works in development—the delicate, brave revealing of the soul that comes with speaking truth to power and saying what you really need to say. Thankfully, Griffin Theatre Company is a safe place for these divergent views to be creatively expressed in all their power and glory and that you, our audience, come along for the ride.
See you in a Griffin (couch surfing) foyer somewhere in Sydney soon to yarn and consider the big stuff.
Andrea James
Associate Artistic Director
