Director, choreographer and author extraordinaire David Bell has a long history in Australian and international theatre.
His most recent project 'Gloria', written by the talented playwright Elaine Acworth, tells the story of a successful woman who is trapped in her past who is seeking to piece together her fading memories after a stroke has broken her world. But the only way she is able to piece her life together and find a path to reconnect with her past and her son (who she was forced to adopt out), is by reliving her life through the music that once consumed her life as a singer.
It takes a certain talent to be able to convincingly deliver such an intense story and a cast with enough experience and the right kind of direction to pull it all together in a coherent and connecting way.
David talked about what it takes to create an emotional piece like 'Gloria' and the processes those involved go through to put their experiences into a character to be portrayed. “Well, it is the casting, that’s certainly the trick. I look for actors who are collaborators and for actors who you feel will be able to connect with the characters. I think everyone who works in theatre or film or works in bringing theatre/ film/ performances to life use things that have happened to them but they don't have to be the same of course.
"This is why an actor can play a serial killer for example. You look to a part of your life that you can draw on in an interesting way. You don't try to recreate things, you try and use it and to push it in some other direction to make it a more sort of universal thing that anyone can relate to.”
When talking about the challenges of finding the right people for the characters, David’s experience in the industry was instrumental in finding the right leading lady. “We were so fortunate. Christen O'Leary is a very good friend of mine and also an extraordinary performer. I think that because we have this close relationship, we have a shorthand with each other which makes working together effortless.
“Another challenge was casting her grandson (who is played by 16-year-old Elijah Wellsmore). Originally in the play he was 11 however I felt that was just too difficult for such a young boy to perform and to understand what was happening. Actually even just technically to perform it would be very hard. As it happened, Elijah just kind of came along and he felt very right for us. He was less experienced than maybe some of the others but he has a wonderful natural quality which we all really responded to.”
Theatre is such an engaging format because it’s so real and present; the audience is involved and connected. When asked what people will be able to take away from the show David says, “the bigger message of the play is this is a piece about people who have hung on to their past memories and histories and have let it destroy their life, It's those very adult moments where there is no easy answers. If you've got an issue, deal with it before they become cemented in and your life or relationships are ruined forever.”
If you like your theatre gripping, intelligent and a musical journey, we think 'Gloria' could be just the show for you.
'Gloria' plays at the Billie Brown Studio, QTC, from July 19 - August 16.
