I didn’t anticipate such a long break between part one and part two of my reflections on this particular project, however, life threw me and my fellow creatives an unexpected curve ball in mid 2021.
Our last show was on Tuesday 22 June last year, following this we were in extended lock down in New South Wales. The Once tour that was scheduled for the second half of 2021 was unfortunately cancelled.
It was heartbreaking.
I was looking forward to performing at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne as well as embarking on a NSW regional tour to venues such as the Merrigong Theatre in Wollongong, the NORPA in Lismore, Canberra Theatre Centre, the Orange Civic Theatre, and the Newcastle Civic Theatre.
Following this I was offered work on another show in Queensland which will also never be as a result of the intensified border restrictions at the time. I sometimes wonder how it would feel to have completed this 2021 tour. For a long time I was quite sad about it all which somewhat explains my absence from the blog.
The silver lining is that Black Swan State Theatre Company has stepped in to co-produce a 2022 season in Perth alongside Darlinghurst Theatre Company. The show will continue for another couple of months in Sydney.
I’ve been working in Perth for a couple of weeks and am loving being back in the rehearsal room with this dedicated and resilient cast, creatives, and crew. No production comes without its challenges but the past 12 months have been an altogether difficult time to navigate mentally and emotionally.
Nothing can be done about five months of contracted work disappearing – I am one of thousands of workers who’ve been dealt this hand since the pandemic started, and this is only one of the many creative projects I’ve had cancelled since March 2020.
What matters now is now. I am mindful of the many things I have to be grateful for despite the setbacks. I am still employed and I can continue to create work and tell my stories on and offstage.
I’m taking in this lovely city I’m based in and learning new lessons each day – patience, tolerance, compassion, and strength. Previews for our Perth season start in one week, ahead of a limited season (28 May to 12 June). For more information, please visit Black Swan State Theatre Company’s website here. For more information about the Sydney season, please visit Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s website here.
Jennifer Trijo 