I've just completed my debut at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2017 and I am so overwhelmed with the love received from those close to me and also to people who took a chance and booked tickets to my show without knowing me at all. To say I feel blessed is an understatement indeed, for this has become another great step in my life and my career as an entertainer.
I took a chance meeting last August to accept the offer of a venue to support me doing a show and then let my imagination run away with me as to the possibilities that could be brought to life. At first I was hesitant to delve back into my comedic roots, however I am so glad I did. Not only did I revisit a part of my life that I'd longed to do, I'd surpassed my own expectations as to performing as a story teller and standup comic.
They say that the truth of your own life will resonate with others and by sharing real stories a new and fresh bond can be woven with both old and new friends. That seemed to be the case with my show. It was raw and real and my own take on the world as a child in outback NSW. It felt so natural to revisit a comedy character and then to be interacting with her in front of an audience felt like the most normal thing in the world to me. I remember during the first show how scared I was that I would fail somehow and stuff up. A mate of mine and I had been talking a week earlier about a man who had made a big impact on our comedic lives. This man has been sadly gone from earth for 7 years now, but we still feel his presence every so often. Well, that night, in the midst of my internal dilemma he "came to me". His name popped into my head suddenly and, as I looked out into the crowd, I felt he was saying something like "it's alright, you're doing great. This is you". A fleeting moment yet poignant. From that moment onwards I've simply gotten up and done the show. No fuss, no more than normal nerves, as I traversed through my script.
I'm so glad I took a chance on me: so glad I did more than just my music. I feel very much alive and like I am really here again. I've not felt that for a long time. It's brilliant to be honest. The funnest thing is that some of my Adelaide friends have learnt a little bit more about me in the process. It's been a win-win situation and I couldn't be happier.
The show would be nothing without my support team though. The following people made this event a beautiful success:
I have much to thank my darling man Graham Burkin who helped with set design and provided a great sound and lighting rig as well. His business, AMPit has been developed to provide local and interstate bands live production facilities. On top of that he is also an awesome bass player and quite the comic in his own right.
Many thanks to Elisa Franzon and the team at the Hilton Hotel in Hilton. Fedora's restaurant was the perfect setting to have the show in. We had table service throughout the show, making things easier for patrons to simply sit and enjoy the experience.
Lovely to have John de Michele working with us on sound engineer duties. Amongst his many talents that are musical, he is a great sound engineer and also a wonderful human being. Very loyal and genuine, it was a pleasure to work with him on this project.
To my gorgeous friend and "sister from another mister" Carol Hancock a big thank you! Another of my happy accidents in life has been meeting and getting to know Carol. A beautiful soul with a wonderful heart. I can't thank her enough for all the support she gave me during the show. The role of box office/merchandise is a vital part of any team.
Thank you also to Elton Gregory for designing a beautiful poster for me.
Thank you to the many shopkeepers and cafe owners who allowed me to put my posters up in their windows.
Many thanks also to the Adelaide Fringe Festival Headquarters team for all their help, support and advice. It's been a fabulous journey of discovery and learning.
Thank you to Print Mint for giving me great posters and flyers in a timely manner.
I'd also like to thank Anthony Sims and Jim Manning from WOW FM, along with Steve McNally from Coast FM, and Lisa Harper-Campbell from Radio Adelaide for their interviews.
Before I finish I'd like to share with you the opening sequences from the show: the naughty Loretta one and then the one I did dedicated to my late Grandfather, Ronald Waring. Thanks pop for giving me the genes that lead me to comedy and music. I'm so glad you passed them on.
This is the real intro:
Have a great week everyone and thanks again to those who either help me make the show or who attended. Bless you all.
love
Susan xx
