Theatres, Beards, Smoke and Strings

Deloraine, Performing Arts Centre's Little Theatre was the venue for an afternoon of filming.

Fraser Deeth and myself had organised to meet at the Little Theatre, for an afternoon of filming and recording! Laden with old suitcases full of quirky props and drapes we made our way inside.

Biding their time

My little friend

The former council chambers gave off a neglected and mysterious feel. With many sealed over doors, little tucked away rooms and spider webs draping the ceilings.

The whole building felt somewhat out of place, backing onto a busy railway track.

The rows of old folding seats where rumoured to "... have a thirst for human flesh." but seemed to be occupied only by an inquisitive lizard. 

Fraser posing amid his improvised foil light tree

The new smoke machine doing what it does best

My old trunk brimming with drapes and props

First time on stage

The row awaiting

Filling the theatre with smoke

The balcony housed the main spotlight, which penetrated the smoke 

and lit up the harp quite hauntingly.

In my sights

A clearing view

Half an hour after the last blast of smoke was released, the theatre still had a few strands wafting about, yet we managed to finish our session without setting off a single fire alarm!

The final shot

After five hours of filming, we topped the day off by having lunch (four hours late) 

at the local 50s Diner. Full to the brim, and totally done in, I packed up my gear and bid farewell!

Many thanks to Fraser, who not only provided this great opportunity to record my playing and have a bit of theatrical fun, but who also helped me last month in purchasing my first amplifier! A top muso and a great new friend.

Greatly looking forward to sharing the footage on this space! 

Twisted Strings FaceBook Page 

https://www.facebook.com/twistedstringstas

Bedford Bus renovation blog page 

http://omnibusconundrum.blogspot.com.au/

Surprise Party

Saturday the 15th has come and gone, and my first booking with it. I am glad to say that all went well (despite the blisters from my latest busking session) and I had a great time serenading the party. 
The owners of the venue, This Cafe, on George Street Launceston were especially accommodating and welcoming. The cafe was small enough that my music could be heard by everyone over the banter, talk and clatter of dinner, and many commented on how beautiful and relaxing it was. During the evening I was the target of many violent and disconcerting camera flashes, perhaps even on equal footing with the cake! 

Violin Birthday Cake

The highlight of the evening would have to be the logistics of cutting the masterpiece of a cake, and the joke that followed about broken G strings, which I was asked to replace! 

Everyone was out to have a good time and even though I was just the hired entertainment, I felt comfortable spending a night in the company of such friendly strangers, and almost privileged to have been given a glimpse into the lives of these people. 

It is a strange sensation, almost a high, leaving the reasonably private affair of celebrating a birthday, and knowing that you will likely never see those people again, but that you will feature in the photos and memories of that night.

I hope I made a small impact on their lives, by helping to make their special day just that bit more so. I can only explain the feeling as one of satisfaction and gratitude.

As I left the party amidst more appreciative comments, I resisted the great urge to announce that 

"My work here is done!"