Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 3, the Daintree

The Glyndebourne of the Daintree?

Tom rescues a fair maiden from certain peril

Sometimes you know when you walk into a theatre that you are in for a great show.

That's what happened at Karnak Playhouse on the fringes of the Daintree Rainforest last weekend!

With the orchestra in a copper and timber-lined sound shell providing a stunning acoustic and the stage erected in 'concert mode' by our intrepid crew, we strode into a unique experience at this extraordinary venue.

Due to driving rain all through the day and night the company was faced with numerous challenges - how would the show go on in this beautiful, yet very exposed, outdoor venue? In a show of true professionalism the company banded together and gave a powerhouse concert version of Trav to an almost sold-out audience, headed up by theatre legend and hostess Diane Cilento. The orchestra belted out an incredible sound from behind the flowing white silk, and Eddie Muliau stepped up to the plate to MC a brilliant show. In the end we were all relieved that the result was so 'electrifying'.

Oz Opera blog updates courtesy of a
double shot espresso

The audiences know the faces of the singers, but some of the unsung heroes of Oz Opera are the crew.  In trying circumstances: bogged trucks, jammed fingers, theatres that don't quite fit the set, our unflappable crew somehow helps us all create magic every time.  It's probably one of the most interesting things about the tour, seeing how an opera is put together night after night out of the back of a semi-trailer.I write this to you the morning after our second show in Townsville and I find myself now sitting at the shared table in the local coffee shop, double shot espresso and iPad in front of me, waiting for the bus to the airport.  Next stop, Rocky!  The show has found a rhythm and we are settling into a life in thongs and board shorts, singlets and sun cream.  Opening night seems a lifetime ago already and Darwin looms large in our viewfinder.

But before that, we farewell Townsville and look to Rockhampton, then on to Redcliffe for the weekend...bags packed!

See you next week.

Tom