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Wonderlands - Associate Director's Diary - Wesley Enoch
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Yesterday we had our first run through in the space. The floor is by far the best dirt floor I have ever worked on, the team have given us the best mix of clay and dirt. The space looks amazing. Tell you what though…..a new work like this can be so demanding, the actors are incredible. We got some cuts and edits just the day before and then yesterday the actors had re-learnt their scripts and the scenes just moved so well. A world premiere is such a responsibilty – to the writer, the audiences and the material.
It’s amazing that in the past week we’ve had national Sorry Day, the 11th anniversary of the Mabo decision and during the tour it will be NAIDOC Week – the National Aboriginal and Islander Celebration. All the signs are in place. Marion has left us now as was always the plan and she is off resting before having her baby. I always think a birth is a good omen. Marion has been very supportive – I mean it’s hard for a Director to have to step away from a project and hand over but she and I have been working closely together for the past year.
I love watching the actors at work. The real danger is that we dwell too much on one side of the story ie the Aboriginal side of the story. The power in this play is not being able to judge one side as wrong and the other side as right. We talk about wanting the audience to feel sympathy for both the Lease holders and the Native Title holders. If we feel that Lon is a bit of a bastard then we devalue the real connection Non-Indigenous people feel for the Land.
Having a cast of four Non-Indigenous actors and two Indigenous actors is a really powerful mix on stage. The stories and emotions are played at high stakes….but amazingly I find myself laughing a lot. Small moments of recognition and moments of joy. I’m getting sucked in just sitting in the theatre. That hasn’t worn off. Actors fascinate me….how they go through the emotional highs and lows.
I think we’re looking forward to having an audience. The count down is on. Friday week…..8 days. Not scared……quietly confident.
Wesley Enoch
Associate Director
Thursday 5th June 2003
It’s only a few days to Opening Night and we are in such good shape. Today the ABC are coming to shoot sections of the show for the TV. I’m on the phone every second day to the writer and Marion about some of the changes we are doing….there are things which worked in the rehearsal room but when you get them into the theatre it’s not as clear. The Saturday run of the show made it very clear that Lon is the central character of the show but Edie is a close second.
Costumes, props and set items have been taking my time as well…..it’s easy to forget about the art when the practical concerns of directing take over. We are in to running the play. I’m always amazed at what actors can create through their intimate knowledge of a play. New things keep coming out with every run.
The pain, the sorrow and the joy. I feel this play keeps bringing out new things each time I watch it. I’m still laughing at the funny things. It’s important not to get too relaxed, I mean we are in such good shape…..got to keep vigilant.
We really need an audience now. The actors will come alive in front of an audience.
I can feel my mind racing and jumping around….I have to write up the notes from last night and think about what scenes I need to do this afternoon and what the pieces will be for this ABC shoot as well. The brain hurts…the sleep deprivation is taking it’s toll but it’s too exciting not be energised by this story. It’s so important to be telling this story.
Wesley Enoch
Associate Director
Tuesday 10th June 2003
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