an Anniversary

Exactly two years ago today, I stepped off a plane at Perth airport, facing, with about an equal amount of fear and excitement, my “new life” in Australia. Family reasons had led me to give up a comfortable and secure existence in London (where I had lived and worked my whole 44 years), to start out again in a city on the other side of the world that I had only visited two or three times before.

Sometimes we get too close to something and cannot step back and look at the big picture. The daily grind of putting on plays can blind us to the sheer delight of being part of this world of theatre. I know, I know, there is bitchiness and backbiting, jealousy and gossip. There is everywhere. But there is also an incredible city-wide sense of BELONGING. Of being part of something that is warm and welcoming. As an outsider I could see and feel this powerfully. In Perth theatre, you can feel part of a whole in a way that London (and probably Melbourne or Sydney) cannot allow. And speaking from experience, it quickly draws you in and makes you feel at home.

And never forget how beautiful this city is. The first time I travelled along Mounts Bay Road, the sheer beauty of the Swan took my breath away. I said to myself that I must never allow myself to become inured to this sight. But when we are rushing around, late for a rehearsal, or thinking about a million trivial things, we may forget to look at how lucky we are. To see a play under the stars at the New Fortune, the Quarry or KingÂ’s Park (and that incredible night time view of the city!), or a summer evening in the hills at Kalamunda or Roleystone. Believe me, I am very grateful to live and work here.

And two years on, I am finding my feet at last. I have learned to drive (that test is more nerve wracking than any acting), and made many many friends. I was going to name names here, but when the list got into the forties (and as I worried about forgetting some name who would be mortally offended) I changed my mind. So let me just say that I value you all, and feel incredibly lucky at the delightful and charming people I have met.

But there are some people I must say thank you too, for the help they gave a nervous and (OK, I admit it) scared newcomer. So those who hate these Oscar type speeches can stop reading now.

First, and absolutely foremost, to Kerri Hilton, who answered an e-mail and single-handedly introduced me to just about everyone here (I met so many people in those first few weeks I felt my head would explode); to Mark Blades and Jarrod Buttery who were extremely welcoming at my first theatre outing; to Grant Malcolm who (with everyone at GRADS) took a leap of faith in giving me a production to direct (“The Taming of the Shrew”); to my first stage manager Paula Griffiths, who kept me sane in the tough times of directing at the New Fortune; to David and Shirley, who gave me my first acting role (“Elephant Man”); and to Angelique Malcolm, who offered me the chance to direct professionally. And to Marcelle and John Milson who have had to put up with me in their productions. And finally to this website, an utterly invaluable aid in binding this community together.

Treasure this city and its theatre. There may be a whole raft of negatives (there always are), but trust me, the positives are pretty good too. Though letÂ’s see how feel after another two years!