I’ve always had a love of the theatre, and thankfully that love seems to have transferred to my children as well. Over the years, we’ve seen lots of wonderful shows in Melbourne, from musicals and plays to the big touring productions.
When I was still living in Hobart, theatre was also a big part of our lives. We often went to productions at the Playhouse and Theatre Royal, as well as heading to the Derwent Entertainment Centre for the really big shows, concerts and productions.
So, when my daughter Sarah came over from Hobart for her birthday, it seemed only fitting that we should include a little theatre in our celebrations.
Noni Hazlehurst in The Lark
Last week, Sarah and I went to see Noni Hazlehurst in The Lark. It was a one-woman performance lasting about 75 minutes — and what a performance it was!
Written by Daniel Keene, The Lark tells the story of Rose Grey, a woman in her seventies who is preparing to say a final goodbye to the small inner-city Melbourne pub that has been her home for most of her life.
Rose was born at The Lark and eventually took over the pub from her father as he grew older. But now the pub has been closed for six months and is destined for demolition as the neighbourhood around it changes.
For Rose, however, it is much more than an old building. It holds her childhood, her family, her work, her memories, her disappointments and the life she has known.
The play becomes a reflection on ageing, loss, memory and the difficulty of letting go of a place — and perhaps a life — that has shaped who you are.
How Does She Remember It All?
I was absolutely in awe of Noni Hazlehurst.
At one point, I was reminded that Noni is now 73. I couldn’t help thinking: how on earth does she remember that whole dialogue?
Seventy-five minutes of speaking, moving, acting and conveying such a complex range of emotions — all without another actor on stage to share the load.
I struggle to remember one sentence in my prepared speeches for Toastmasters!
And yet Noni delivered page after page with such confidence and apparent ease. There was no sense that she was trying to remember lines. She simply was Rose.
That, to me, is the extraordinary skill of a great actor.
Featured Image of a Lark:
Photo by David Thielen on Unsplash – Thankyou
