Week 2 of 2024 is off to a banging start. I spent a week in Geelong working out of the beautifully renovated spaces of the Arts Centre. Michael Carmody had this idea that we should adapt this book from the 30s (which originated the concept of “Shangri-La”) into a stage production and asked for me to jump onboard. In the end, I decided that working extensively with text that is steeped in colonialism and Orientalism from the conception is not how I want to be spending my 2024, and if and when the work evolves to a point where it can unshackle the problematic trappings, I might then have a look at the project, but for the time being, we had a great week really pulling it apart and for me to articulate why it’s harmful to be holding onto what might be a beloved classic. Onwards and upwards!
Actor/Theatre Maker
