The Chronicles of Eldershaw Premieres at the Revitalised Drill Hall Theatre

By Bianca Sirianni

Drill Hall Theatre Company, Mullumbimby
Date: 22 September 2024

We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated production of The Chronicles of Eldershaw, premiering at the Drill Hall Theatre from October 9 to 20, 2024. Join us for the gala opening on Thursday, October 10, where guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival.

Adapted for the stage by Gregory Aitken from Stephen Edgar’s prize-winning verse novel Eldershaw, this compelling drama unfolds in bohemian Hobart during the 1940s and 1950s. It follows the journey of Helen, a free-spirited woman yearning to break free from societal constraints. Under the skilled direction of Kate Horsley, the production features a talented cast of nine actors, including Avia Sebasio-Ong as Younger Helen and Linda Rutledge as Older Helen. The ensemble also includes Russell Eldridge, Cate Feldmann and Yasir Assam, among others, each bringing their unique talents to the stage.

This production is particularly exciting, incorporating elements of circus, projection, and live music to create a multi-dimensional theatrical experience. The physical theatre performances, coordinated by Leonie Mills and Steve Richards, will add dynamic movement to Helen's story, while Hielrick Fidele d’Amour's live music will enhance the emotional landscape of the production. Audiences will be captivated by projections that vividly illustrate Helen’s memories and dreams, immersing them in her world.

Lighting design plays a crucial role in this production, with guidance from renowned lighting guru John Rayment, along with the artistry of Sunita Bailey. Together, they have created a visual feast that brings Helen's memory-scape to life, transforming the stage into a realm of strange beauty and emotional resonance.

The genesis of the Eldershaw project began in 2014, with multiple workshops refining the script. Stephen Edgar, who received the PM’s Award for Poetry in 2021, will attend two performances and participate in a Q&A session on Sunday, October 13. Additionally, on Saturday, October 12, Karen Darby—daughter of Ann Jennings, the woman who inspired Helen—will discuss her upcoming book, Inside The Ottoman: The Diaries of Ann Jennings, with director Kate Horsley.

We are proud to celebrate Locals Night on Friday, October 11, featuring local brewer Wandana's products at a special price of $6.

The Chronicles of Eldershaw is a beautiful tribute to love, memory, and the quest for individuality, resonating deeply with modern audiences. Join us for this remarkable event at the Drill Hall Theatre, where delightful extras await at every performance during our eight-night season.

Bookings: drillhalltheatre.org.au

The Chronicles of Eldershaw Q&A with Kate Horsley

The production is adapted from Stephen Edgar’s prize-winning verse novel, Eldershaw. This is breaking new ground for the Drill Hall Theatre Company. What can the audience expect?

The Unexpected. The production is such a blend of different theatrical styles that there is something for everyone.

The Chronicles of Eldershaw was adapted by the Drill Hall’s Gregory Aitken. How closely did he collaborate with Stephen Edgar?

The actor and producer, Greg Aitken, saw the dramatic possibilities for Stephen Edgar’s book Eldershaw back in 2014. Stephen encouraged Greg to explore his award-winning narrative verse novel’s dramatic possibilities. Over the past year the poet has edited or made suggestions to at least a dozen drafts of The Chronicles of Eldershaw.

What are some of the challenges as a director in staging such an unusual, non-naturalistic production?

The biggest challenge has been honouring and staying true to the text whilst still trying to create something theatrically interesting. Also, staying confident as a director and instilling confidence in the actors to stick with something and develop it, when initially it doesn’t always feel comfortable. Luckily all the actors have risen to the challenge impeccably. I am so proud of them.

Tell us a bit about your own theatre background and what attracted you to directing this work.

Many moons and another lifetime ago I trained at The University of London (Goldsmiths College) gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English Literature and a Master of Arts in Theatre Arts. I performed Repertory Theatre in the UK, predominantly Shakespeare, often rehearsing and performing two separate plays in a month. Only for the young and brave. A lover of all things Bard, what drew me to directing this piece was the sublime poetry. It just stays with you long after the words are spoken. 

The language of Eldershaw is poetic and moves through time zones. Did this provide challenges for you and the cast in telling the story?

Most definitely. We did a moved reading as a creative development in February this year and played it moving backwards and forwards, in and out of time zones. It just didn’t work. So now we are telling the story chronologically. The use of multimedia projections on the back wall helps the flow of the moving time zones of the story.

The lead character Helen is a woman of the 1940s through to the 1960s. How does she resonate with modern audiences, particularly women?

Helen actively goes against the grain of traditional values. She is unafraid and unapologetic in exploring her sexual yearnings in a time when such inclinations were frowned upon. She rages against domesticity despite the impact this has on her life. 

The nature of the play splits the character of Helen into a younger and older version. Was this tricky to juggle?

No, not at all. The splitting of the character Helen works two-fold. Firstly, the sheer volume of lines Helen’s character has would put too much strain on one actor. Secondly, we get to see Helen in two different physical stages in her life. That said, Linda and Avia work so incredibly synchronised at times it often feels like there is only one Helen!

The Drill Hall Theatre recently redesigned the performance space, removing the stage. How has this affected the experience for players and audience? 

At first daunting. What! No proscenium arch? It seemed like such a big space to fill but fill it we have with minimal set and incredible performances. It now feels like we are hanging out in our big but comfy living room.

The entire Drill Hall production ensemble has gone to great lengths to make this a multi-media production, incorporating music and imagery, historical and fictional. Tell us about this.

Whilst I don’t deny how much hard work it has been creating this multimedia production it has also brought so much joy. (Thank you, creatives, you know who you are). It is so powerful to see historical and fictional images sit side by side and I think it really helps the audience follow the flow of the show. We have an archived piece of home movie which depicts a Jennings family picnic back in the mid-1950s. We had so much fun re-shooting this with the actors. We were all film stars for the day, taking a small break from the stage!

About Drill Hall Theatre Company

The Drill Hall Theatre Company, located in Mullumbimby, is a vibrant community theatre dedicated to delivering diverse and engaging performances to the Northern Rivers region. Our mission is to foster creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression, providing a platform for local talent while entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences through thought-provoking theatrical experiences.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Liz Chance, the company has produced a remarkable array of works, including Shit, Switzerland, and Mr Bailey’s Minder. Liz’s innovative direction has consistently pushed creative boundaries, enriching our artistic landscape. Gregory Aitken has also made significant contributions, directing acclaimed productions such as When The Rain Stops Falling and adapting for the stage Stephen Edgar’s verse novel Eldershaw into The Chronicles of Eldershaw, masterfully bringing powerful narratives to life on our stage.

This year, we celebrated our inaugural season of Too Young to Be Angels, a festival showcasing an amazing array of events featuring local filmmakers, musicians, and performers, further highlighting our commitment to community engagement.

Following extensive renovations, the Drill Hall is now an accessible black box theatre equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a newly refurbished dressing room, enhancing the experience for both artists and audiences.

Join us as we continue to explore the power of storytelling through live performances and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of our community.

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