As far as possible marriage-destroyers go, tragic accidents and living with terrible injuries have got to be high on the list.
Starring Lisa McCune and Darren Gilshenan as the unlucky couple, 'Machu Picchu' is the intense new play by respected Aussie writer Sue Smith ('Kryptonite', 'Saving Mr. Banks'). Two civil engineers who met at university are involved in a horrible car accident, and Darren Gilshenan's character ends up a quadriplegic. Told in a non-linear way you don't usually see on stage, the play focuses on the couple's struggle post-accident.
© Brett BoardmanThe reason for the title is twofold. Machu Picchu (Peru) is the one place the engineer couple always wanted to go. Darren says Machu Picchu was “built for eternity” – they created a building to have lasted 500 years. One of the great wonders of the world, to anyone in the construction industry Machu Picchu would be seen as the ultimate feat, with the strongest foundations. “It's a metaphor for the foundation of their relationship, as well as representing their dreams and aspirations.”
The lure of playing a complex, physical role drew Darren to 'Machu Picchu', as well as working with national treasure Lisa McCune. “I've worked with her before, and we have a great relationship.” Darren says he's also just excited about being in a brand new Australian work. “We're kind of the pioneers with this. We're the ones who determine how to play this story and these characters.”
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Darren's done plenty of work across the board: film, TV, and theatre. Most recently he's starred in Australian shows 'Here Come The Habibs' and 'No Activity', but he also has a long history on the stage, including 12 years at the Bell Shakespeare Company. He says comedy has always been his strong point, if only because he's done so much of it over the years. “But the Bell Shakespeare Company, that was lots of dramatic work. I like to keep a few strings to my bow.” In the relatively small national industry, Darren wants to avoid being pigeon-holed, always trying to surprise people with what he's doing.
Theatre and performing have always been a part of Darren's life, ever since he was 13 and working with local theatre groups in Brisbane. “Theatre's as old as the hills, so it'll always endure.” Darren thinks that ultimately, people love the live experience you get at the theatre – when something is happening right in front of your eyes. He says it's good for the soul, and great for actors wanting to explore their work in a lot more depth.
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With longer rehearsal periods, and characters and generally more complex stories, Darren says theatre allows actors to put a particular finesse into their work. “There's also that immediacy of being able to relate to the audience every night.” Compared to film and TV, the actor is in the driver's seat from the moment the show starts, and has more control over how things play out. “Theatre doesn't pay as much, but still.”
There's this great thing that can happen when you see a certain type of play, movie, or TV show – suddenly you feel present in your life, like it's woken you up to something. That's the feeling Darren hopes 'Machu Picchu' will inspire in the audience. “It's got this really positive message about respecting people around you as well, and being more grateful.” Despite the tough subject matter, Darren says 'Machu Picchu' also has a lot of laughs through it, a little bit of a light touch.
With plenty of TV and stage gigs on the horizon for Darren it's shaping up to be a busy year, but he says it's still a tough industry, where you rarely book more than a year ahead. “You just never know where this industry's going to take you, so you just hang on and go for the ride.”
'Machu Picchu' plays Adelaide Festival Centre 13 April - 1 May.
