‘Don Parties On’ is the incredibly witty and insightful sequel to David Williamson’s play ‘Don’s Party’.
This time around, it is yet another night of an election with another party at Don’s house, although 40 years on the characters have changed and developed just as the governments they have seen come and go have.
With a dynamic script written by David mixed with the directing style of Michael Eustice, the show explores how age changes the people, the friendships and their views on politics in a side splitting, clever, fascinating and engaging way. This time around, the show focuses on commenting on and exploring life from a baby boomer’s perspective.
Image © Richard ParkhillMichael Eustice, the play’s director, has taken then time to answer questions about the show including what drew him to the project and the most challenging aspects of the show.
What was it about this play that made you want to direct it?
'Don’s Party' is an iconic play in the history of Australian theatre, and David Williamson is one of our most talented and probably our most popular national playwrights. When I read 'Don Parties On', I found an immediate emotional attachment to the key characters as if in some strange way they were like old friends. I became fascinated by the way they measured the success of their own lives. I think most of us can relate to the joys and pains to be found in that kind of self-reflection. Oh – and it made me laugh a lot!
What is the relationship like between yourself and David Williamson, the play writer?
I have never had the pleasure of meeting David or speaking with him personally. That said, we are thrilled and proud that he has chosen Red Phoenix Theatre to be the first theatre company in Adelaide to produce 'Don Parties On'.
Image © Richard ParkhillWhere you given a lot of freedom to put your own take on the story when directing?
Absolutely. The only stipulation is that we are true to the story he has written and don’t change the text without permission. The interpretation of the play and the creation of the people these characters have grown into is up to us as actors, directors, and designers to develop during the rehearsal process. That said, while there is much creative freedom, it would be unwise to lose a sense of where this play and characters have come from.
Occasionally sequels to successful shows can just miss the target; in your opinion why do you think ‘Don Parties On’ is just as if not more successful than the first show ‘Don’s Party’?
I’ve felt this myself in the past. Sequels are particularly challenging as they need to bridge the gap between the then and the now, and they must also be a stand alone story in their own right. I believe that 'Don Parties On' achieves this. It won’t matter, if you have never seen the original play as the story has a clear beginning, middle and end. I believe Williamson has brought a new and important depth to this story and these characters. It explores the human journey from “how will I live my life?” to “how did I actually live my life?” That reflection can and does generate great pain and enormous humour – sometimes simultaneously.
Image © Richard ParkhillPolitics can often be a subject that many people don’t engage with but this show has been massively successfully with audiences. Why do you think that is?
That’s an interesting observation. I don’t think either play is really about politics. Instead, Williamson uses political opinion as a backdrop and a vehicle for the characters to express themselves and show the audience what kind of person they are. In this case, the election night broadcast is like another character in the play driving interactions, emotions and conflicts. Let’s face it, yelling at the TV on election night is like a national sport.
The show has a fantastic cast. Describe what the relationship between the cast and yourself is like.
Exciting, challenging, fun. This really is a fantastic cast. We established a sense of ‘team’ very quickly and that has enabled us to work very collaboratively to create the world of Don’s latest party. We’ve been working hard and having a lot of fun together.
As this show has been very successful in past seasons, did you have any nerves when taking on the director role?
Oh. I have almost catatonic nerves about every production. It’s always more than a little bit terrifying to take a company of people on a journey to publicly expose our collective creative souls to hundreds of people who have total freedom to express how much they love or hate you. As director, you must simply trust that hard work, a commitment to finding the truth of the play, and a total dedication to helping your actors and creative team to be the very best that they can be, will result in something successful and meaningful. It’s a bit like planning a party – you can never quite be certain how it will turn out. Just ask Don!
Image © Richard ParkhillWhat was one aspect that you found the most challenging in regards to directing this show?
Comedy, pathos, jokes, cruelty, laugher, tears, and an election night broadcast featuring Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, all crammed within 90 minutes. Yes that has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
On the flip side of that what is your favourite part of the show?
Well, I am a sucker for a laugh out loud gag and Williamson certainly knows how to write those, but for me it’s those beautiful moments when his characters make you smile about how true friendships can ride out the rockiest of roads.
