In the beginning

Having recently been redundant to the TMR, I opted for retirement - at least till I work out what the other options may be.   Since my official retirement on 19 October 2012, I am just starting to find time to do things other than what has come my way naturally.  The lead up and immediate following of my Dad's passing on 3 November, my son, Jeff's breaking his femur on 30 Nov., have added to the time I would have normally enjoyed with youngest son, Andy, on holiday from school with my involvement in cricket and driving lessons.  It has also been good to be at home to help Mary-Anne with household duties while she coped with the uncertainty of what lay ahead for her in a changing school environment.   We made it through Christmas, with a couple of functions at our house as well as celebrating our 25 anniversary.
Now that things are starting to settle down, I am feeling the need to do some mentally stimulating stuff.   As I enjoy writing, why not give it a go.  We have renewed our Qld Theatre Company membership this year so was thinking about testing my skills on reviews.  Below is my first attempt at a review of the Bille Brown memorial - "This is the stuff".  I was happy with it so might toss a few more in.  Also might capture a little of my life at home - let us see what turns up.


All that glitters was Brown
Glistening nuggets of stage and screen performances were displayed at the Playhouse as Brisbane’s theatre community farewelled one of their favourite sons, Bille Brown. Friends, members of the acting fraternity and curious theatre goers gathered to celebrate the life of Bille in a fashion that reflected his life.   
“This is the Stuff” summarised a life on the stage and on the screen that showed his creativity as an artist and warmth as a friend.    In the tributes that flowed from near and far, Neil Armfield’s comment struch a chord with an interested onlooker – “Since he could not play fabulous characters 365 days of the year, Bille decided to be a fabulous person 365 days of the year.”
A cello, piano and harp provided the background music, close friend , Geoffrey Rush delivered the Prologue and Epilogue, actors and singers provided snippets of his plays, while film clips captured magic moments of his screen appearances as well as providing a vehicle to include tributes from overseas friends. The semi-finale of “Always look on the bright side of life” allowed the audience to stand and clap along as an appropriate reflection of the brightness of the big man we were there to respect.  A man who was recognised throughout the English speaking world yet chose Queensland to be his home.
Flowing drinks afterwards was the necessary conclusion to a function that reminded us of a great man who lived life to the full and will always be a part of Queensland Theatre history