Living in Paradise sometimes has its perks. Paradise is generally considered the playground and retirement village of Australia's rich and famous/infamous. I am neither rich, even slightly rich nor famous, so by rights I probably shouldn't be living here. Most of these are "famous" people that overseas readers will not know, but are reasonably well known within Australia.
There's a very well established arts/theatre community here, one of the local residents on the coast is the playwright David Williamson, and each year a local festival is run in June/July called The Noosa Long Weekend, where many Australian and international artists come to talk, recite, and act. Tonight I was lucky enough to go to a fundraiser for this organisation. It was a reading of David Williamson's play Emerald City. He had updated it to include current political/satirical/sport topics and it was very very good. A number of high profile people were roped in to read and they all did very well, some at their first ever play in front of a large audience.
The only one that any UK citizens will probably know is Daniel McPherson, whose acting debut was on Neighbours, he has also acted in The Bill. He has been hosting Australia's Dancing With the Stars.
Some other notable Australians on stage tonight were:
Robyn Nevin - actress and director
Mikey Robins - stand up comedian and TV performer
Ita Buttrose - former editor of the Australian Women's Weekly and made immortal in a Cold Chisel song.
David Field - currently appearing on TV in City Homicide (he was brilliant)
Bob Ansett - founder of Budget Rent a Car
Paula Duncan - actress and also appears in Spray and Wipe commercials lol
Ian Roberts - former football player who is now an actor ( I didn't know that and he was very good)
Sorry to everyone else in the universe I'm pretty sure you won't have a clue who I'm talking about.
It was a really great night, the acting/reading was excellent, lots of laughs and very topical.
I am so very glad I live in this little part of paradise, as I am able to experience something that is so rare and would usually only be available in a big city. An absolutely fabulous way to start my weekend.
Glad you were able to enjoy some theatrical fun. Have to admit I had never heard of any of them but I'm sure they were worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteJane
How cool! Sounds like an awesome time was had by all. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't know any of the people you mentioned, but honestly, I'm so bad about learning the name of celebrities, I can't tell you the names of a lot of the popular actors/actresses here. Or maybe I know the name, but not the face.
Well, rats. I thought you were going to say that you know Hugh Jackman and were going to introduce me to him (wink, wink).
ReplyDeleteThat is fun, though, that you've had such neat opportunities to meet famous people.
xo -El
I practically have to hold a gun to Mr. P's head to get him anywhere near a theatre unless we are going to a comedy show.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a great time. Yes living in Paradise does seem to have a few perks.