I feel like I’ve just come out of a really deep slumber or
maybe I’m just going into one. Nothing could have prepared me for the massive
‘thing’ that was devising a show. The past 6 weeks and beyond has consisted of
Phoebe and I scratching and scouring our brains and bodies to piece together
the show that was GORGE. And then the 5th of March came. Opening
night… and gushes of bodies swarmed into the Old Folks hall and in a haze we handed the show over to a bunch of friends and family and
strangers. I think I’d totally lost sight of any
sort of concept of audience response which I think turned into a good thing –
what a surprise it was to hear people laugh and sigh and smile and look
disturbed and clap. I cannot stress how amazingly lucky I was to have been able
to work with Phoebe. Anybody who has worked with her will back me up in saying
that she is this wonderfully creative and open and unique being that just
brings magic to everything she touches. I miss you already Phoebe and sometimes
wish you weren’t a grown up who is at Uni doing a majorly important law degree.
No, I don’t – I am happy for you. But I still miss you.
For anyone who missed the show or is interested here are some really lovely reviews: Lumiere review of Gorge Theatreview review of Gorge Theatrescenes review of Gorge Theatrescenes highlight: Gorge NZ Herald review of Gorge Mac + Mae review of Gorge Craccum review of Gorge
Some things I learnt from devising a show:
1.
People from all walks of life and your past will
seek out your work and support you and come to your show and bring friends and
be amazing
2.
You realise how amazing and giving your friends
are whether it be lending you lights, speakers, baking you cakes or even just
letting you rant in their ear for hours about weird shit
3.
It is really rewarding putting on your own
work as opposed to doing random projects if you are not connected with
them in some way.
Anyway I would just like to thank everyone for coming to our little show. It meant so much to have such wonderful audiences every night. And also just thank you to everyone who helped in someway or another - we can't tell you how much we appreciate it. Here is a little collection of photos from our journey.
Lot's of love, virginia.
|
phoebe+i outside our shop staple - geoff's emporium (wearing matching sunglasses) |
phoebe and virginia's pride and joy - cobham's corn field |
painting pig 'porko' |
paper mache cake |
rehearsal snacks - corn and choc |
the human scarecrows |
craft dud - this 'baby corn doll' that burst into flames didn't quite make the cut. #reject |
after weeks of deciding what to call our main 'corn' character we decided on 'Cobham'. Look what we found on the wall of the Old Folk's Ass on the day we left the venue. #spooky |
these guys are all amazing. |
the set after our final show |
aftermath |
who knew phoebe is a WHIZZ with chords and other technical stuff i don't understand |
thank god for joseph, ruby and chris helping us set up! |
the end of the party |
token table |
fringe awards. el vino did flow ;) |
#warpedperception |
the gorges visit the venue |
phoebe and the corn |
amazing nana helping with the mammoth bedsheet backdrop |
sore wrist. note: the red is not blood. it is craft paint. |
just one of the many giant gorge feasts we created at lunchtime rehearsals |
joseph carting everything in the trailer on the world's hottest day |