Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 6, Darwin

Steaming it up in the NT

Nineteenth-century dress (vest, waistcoats, ties and hats made from the finest merino) simply don't work for me in the middle of the Territory, even in an air-conditioned theatre.

Straight off the bus in Darwin, however, my attire was slightly more appropriate when I stepped out with my 'tour wife'* to see the night markets at Mindil Beach.  There was a singlet from a truckstop near Tennant Creek, a hat from a tourist shop in Cairns, my ubiquitous skinny jeans (holding the flag for all middle-aged-men-from-the-city-in-crisis everywhere), sunnies and, of course, thongs.

Joined by the adventurous and intrepid tourists, backpackers and locals alike, we ate well on the beach as we watched the red sun slide into the sea. Ein traum!  Could there be any better way to start a week in Darwin?  And to follow - two shows, a farewell to Chris Hillier (returning to Sydney and mainstage OA), rehearsal for our new Germont/Baron (Graham Macfarlane) and some recharging.

The troupe have taken full advantage of a couple of well deserved days off, visiting the delights of Litchfield National Park and its rockpools, diving under waterfalls and swimming with trout (if not crocs!).  Hours wiled away with each other before the dusty roads ahead.

My plans were to meet a saltie, wrestle it preferably, and visit some of the sights of Darwin.  This seemed to be possible and plausible, but Mother Nature in her fickle way bestowed an upset stomach on a few - including me.  This dictated a quieter visit for me, while my comrades let their hair down!

Not all was lost, however, as I made sure I was hydrated for my big show. I was able to amble around town, beachcombing, taking in the wave pool and the art gallery, a nice brekky in the mall with my friend Timmy, followed by some snake handling.  Eds and I even managed to squeeze in a radio interview. The guys at ABC enjoyed our on-air company so much they asked us to stay and review Cowboys and Aliens for the local film buffs! 11 out of 10!!! Very operatic, Daniel Craig!

And so, after Friday night's performance as Baron Douphol, on Saturday the costume was donned for Germont. The layers of make-up and glued-on hair, along with layers of gentleman's clobber effecting the transformation from Tattooed Tom to Papa Germont.

Nice.

And so now it's 'see ya' to gorgeous Darwin, south again to Alice, and then a zoom across to Geraldton and cooler weather.   I am looking forward to a stop at New Norcia the week after to stay in the Monastery - it's certainly proving to be a diverse eight weeks!

Nice chatting

Tom

* 'tour wife' refers to Margaret Plummer , whose David is working hard in Sydney looking after young Edwin and singing up a storm, and my Michael is in Chicago . So, she teaches me to crochet (?) and I introduce her to all the movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger (!). A match made in heaven!!