A dramatic change of direction...

I’m finally in possession of the March Market edition of WQ. 

There are some fabulous articles inside:  Marianne de Pierres talks about how to be a series contender; JR Poulter goes global; Anita Bell discusses formatting.  A great article on Educational publishing by Pamela Rushby; romance by Valerie Parv; finding your niche market with Cat Sparks and Somerset author guest, Kate Hunter explores why writers’ festivals are so important.

And…

If you’ve ever thought about writing a play - you might like to check out my article where I talk about how stepping out of your comfort zone can be a highlight in your career.

You can read these articles and more by subscribing here and if you’re already a subscriber then you will agree with me - this is a great issue J

Midnight rambler is feeling inspired

Queensland summer...

If you love Queensland, or have lived in Queensland or visited Queensland

or ever dreamed about coming to Queensland - then this song is for you :)

In spite of Queensland's tragic flooding events and being on a current 'cyclone watch' for not just one but two! I wanted to find some fun in all of this heavy weight pressing down on us.  Evil Eddie throws an interesting spin on the Queensland summer! 





Midnight rambler loves the Sunshine State....

How you can help...





Some great ways to donate for Queensland flood relief.  Click on the pictures for more details. 

From devastation, despair, our darkest hour...comes hope, sunshine and the spirit to move forward and rebuild...

Yes, I’m talking about the Queensland Floods that have thrown Brisbane and Queensland into 75% disaster zone and the chaos has been described by Premier Anna Bligh as being of ‘post war proportions’. 

There has been a lot of comparisons between this flood and the 1974 floods when the Brisbane river broke its banks once before.  I wasn’t living in Brisbane then, I wasn't even in Australia so I have no recollection of it, but like many, have heard the stories.  What happened here in January, 2011 is a new story - our story.  For some - a repeated story.

Click on picture for a slideshow of flood afffected areas

 

 

Toowoomba



I haven’t blogged about it because quite frankly, I don’t know what to say.  I’ve been rendered speechless and there are so many good blogs out there who have managed to report the deluge succinctly and with something to say.   I, on the other hand don’t know what to say except: for giving condolences for lives lost; for homes lost; for treasured memories lost.  My heart breaks for each and every one of you. 

On my walk around Moreton Bay (which has been unaffected by flood inundation) the day after the deluge is when it started to really sink in.  I had clear evidence of the debris being washed up into the bay from the Brisbane river: furniture; huge water tanks; massive dead pythons; rotting fruit and vegetables, and then there is the muddy water - the stink. 

Margate Beach

Queens Beach

No longer was I watching images on the television: the shocking images of  people being washed away to their death; houses and cars completely submerged; rail lines buckled; domestic animals and wildlife dead while others struggled for survival. 

Just the simple images of debris and the filthy ocean and smell made it all real.  But of course nowhere near the proportions of what people are dealing with in places like West End, Rosalie, Toowong, Goodna, Ipswich and the list continues.  The stink I’ve heard is quite putrid not to mention toxic! 

For those of you who don’t know, I became a naturalised Australian in 1991 after leaving the shores of New Zealand behind me in 1984 for the bright lights of Sydney. Sydney became my home, my shelter, my new birth place.   In that moment of taking the oath I was so proud to be an Australian and have embraced the Australian way of life ever since. 

Since moving to Brisbane in 1994, I’ve spent most of my time bayside in the Sandgate area and more recently have embraced the peninsula which I love to bits.  Over the past few days I’ve seen Brisbane rally to their neighbours in crisis and help clear out their mud sodden, ruined homes.  The streets of the flood stricken areas resemble some kind of normalcy except for the remains and debris of people’s lives piled high on the footpaths waiting to become landfill.  Power has been restored to most parts of Brisbane and the CBD has opened its doors to business again.

This is a cleanup of massive scale and so many things have happened over the past week I can’t even retain half of it in my head.  I have retained it all in my heart, though and sometimes my heart aches so much I think it might break. 

It aches with sorrow, and with pride.  I am again standing in that moment of being proud to be Australian – I’m not sure I've lived in Brisbane long enough for me to say I’m a proud Queenslander but I am Australian.  Australia is my home and of which Brisbane has been a huge part of my home for 17 years.  So whatever it is, Queenslander, Sydney-sider – I’m proud. 

The cleanup is going to take up to two years to get Brisbane back on its feet again and you know what? I want to stay here, I want to be a part of the community that rebuilds this city and one day when I’ve lived here long enough I might even earn the title of being a proud Queenslander!

Click here for some footage of the beginnings of the massive cleanup and here for stills.

If you are unable to physically assist with the clean up please donate Queensland needs our help. 

Midnight rambler hopeful about rebuilding and retaining the community spirit ♥

Our darkest hour...

I'm sharing a blog that Rebecca Sparrow has kindly posted to keep everyone updated.  I know my family and friends overseas and interstate are concerned.  I'm concerned for our city and state and my dear friends, many of whom are currently cut off and/or affected or will possibly be affected by this worsening situation.  I thought this was worth sharing...

"We are facing one of our toughest ever tests; now is not a time for panic, now is a time to stick together,’ said the Premier. “Now is the time to be reaching out to friends and offering help and where necessary, a bed for the night over the coming 2-3 days.”

Read the full article here

Midnight rambler bracing for the worst to come...

Stay safe ♥

GALA/FINAL - SHORT + SWEET THEATRE



S+S cast

 What a week it’s been and so much to share.  Firstly, Saturday 20^th November was the Finals/Gala of the Short + Sweet Theatre Festival here in BrisVegas @ the Judith Wright Centre.  I was excited beyond words to not only be an audience participant for Week 2 of the top 20 on the Friday night but again at the final/Gala Award night on Saturday.   I not only witnessed some really amazing plays but my little play,The Corpse cannot Play was in the Top Ten alongside some of the best!

We were all winners in effect, just having made it into the top 30 was something of an achievement for all of the entrants and congrats to all those who did.  It’s been a top festival and something I’m been very proud to be a part of. 

It’s great to support local theatre and all of the arts for that matter and even if I hadn’t had a play performing,  Short + Sweet  Theatre is well worth buying a ticket for.  You get bite size chunks of theatre from all different genres and no chance to get bored as none of them go longer than ten minutes and what a variety you get to see over one night.  Ten plays, all different.  Some make you laugh, others cry and maybe even shiver with excitement or creeping fear.  It’s great and I for one will be supporting this every year whether I have a play being performed or not.

It was wonderful having so many of my friends come along in support for my play but also for supporting other artists, writers, actors, and directors while being entertained.

Thanks to the awesome Short +Sweet crew, Candice Diana and Sean Dennehy and the many more who I didn’t get to meet.

And now for the winners:

Nuns Gone Wild

The Short+Sweet Award Presented to the best overall production - taking into consideration acting, directing and script - performed at the Gala Final.

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best Comedy Presented to the writer of the Best Comedy performed at the Gala Final.

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best Drama Presented to the writer of the Best Drama performed at the Gala Final.

The Devil’s Aftershave

Writer: Pete Malicki

Director: Matthew Filkins

Cast: Jeremy Wood.

Michelle Miall & Sean Dennehy

Best Director Presented to the Best Director of plays performed at the Gala Final.

Michelle Miall 

for

Lifetime

Writer: Angie Farrow

Sound Designer: Cameron Rollo

Cast: Dirk Hoult, Emma Che Martin.

Best Actor (male) Presented to the actor who gave the most outstanding performance throughout the festival.

Jeremy Wood

for

The Devil’s Aftershave

Writer: Pete Malicki

Director: Matthew Filkins

Cast: Jeremy Wood.

Best Actor (female) Presented to the actor who gave the most outstanding performance throughout the festival.

Bronwyn Morrow

for

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

The Wildcards Winner The play judged to be the best overall production (taking into consideration acting, directing and script) performed during the Wildcards.

Queen Of De Nile

Wrought Iron Productions

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Carmen Cuskelly

Best New Talent Presented to an emerging writer, director or actor who performed outstandingly either at the Gala Final or during the festival.

Marion Welsch

for

Scissors. Paper. Rock.

Writer: Marion Welsch

Director: Marion Welsch

Little Black Duck Productions

and

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best ITC Presented to the Independent Theatre Company who presented the most outstanding overall production either at the Gala Final or throughout the festival.

Testy

Wrought Iron Productions

Concept: Christopher Cherry

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Chris Holt, Adam Drake, Christopher Cherry, Fabienne Drake, Evie Richards.

 and

Queen Of De Nile

Wrought Iron Productions

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Carmen Cuskelly

People’s Choice Award For the most popular play as voted by audiences throughout the festival.

Testy

Wrought Iron Productions

Concept: Christopher Cherry

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Chris Holt, Adam Drake, Christopher Cherry, Fabienne Drake, Evie Richards.

Congrats to all and now can’t wait for next year :)

Midnight rambler is planning.

The Corpse cannot Play



Just some of the lovely audience...

More pix of celebration from the 'Wildcard' session of The Corspe cannot Play held at the Judith Wright Centre for the Contemporary Arts Saturday 13th November can be found here

Professionals shot of the dress rehearsal coming soon...Stay tuned

Midnight rambler contemplating writing some story beats

Truths, love, loss and finding your way...

I saw a wonderful film and beautifully told story yesterday called 'The Tree'.   An Australian tale based on the book 'Our Father who Art in a tree' by Judy Pascoe.  This adaptation of a great book is the work of French Director, Julie Bertucelli. 

This was an evocative tale about grief, love and the power of belief.  

And the other thing that touched me deeply in this film was the soundtrack and in particular this song 'To Build a Home' by The Cinematic Orchestra which touches at the deepest core of me.  A song full of truth with shades of sadness, of hope and new beginnings.

This song can be interpreted a million different ways - I'd be really keen to hear your interpretations. 


Midnight rambler thinks this song is about searching for the truth and sometimes leaving what you've built to find it...what do you think?