Shows

Tales from the Flyway

Tales from the Flyway is a storytelling show I developed with violinist Sarah Depasquale. Sarah and I share a love of wetlands and birds, especially those found at our doorstep in Hobsons Bay.

Together we will take you on a journey following the path of migratory shore birds, from south-east Australia to Siberia, along the East Asian Australasian Flyway. The show is playful and occasionally enlightening.

The tales

The structure of Tales from the Flyway is simple. If we were to fly with the birds and visit the chain of wetlands in the countries along the Flyway, what stories might we hear? I’ve collected stories from Indonesia, Thailand and Siberia and Sarah has woven them together with Vivaldi, Bach, Massenet and pieces she has composed especially.

Our final story is a kamishibai that has been passed down the Flyway from the Yatsu-Higata Observation Centre in Japan, to Boondall Wetlands in Brisbane (2008) and then on to us for telling in Hobsons Bay (2015). Receiving this story is a confirmation that there are people who see the big picture and don’t allow obstacles to get in the way of an idea.

Thanks

We thank Yatsu-Higata, Brisbane City Council and the Rangers at Boondall Wetlands.

Tales from the Flyway recognises the work of Friends Groups, rangers and individuals who work to maintain the wetlands, not just in Melbourne’s west but all along the Flyway.

Duration

50 minutes

Requirements

• We travel with a small battery powered amp and mikes for small small gigs where sound is needed.

For audiences under 80 people:

• 4 metre x 3 metre space – preferably raised if the seating is flat

• no amplification required

For audiences over 80 people we need:

• 4 metre x 3 metre space – preferably raised if the seating is flat

• Digital projector for images

• Radio mike for Jackie and a mike on a stand for Sarah

Cost

Available on enquiry

The show is suitable for an inter-generational audience and ideal for festivals.

Images

See Photos page for hi-resolution photos.

The Amazing Case of Dr Ward and Other Stories

The Amazing Case of Dr Ward and Other Stories is a show developed by me and my wonderful collaborator, Sarah Depasquale.

‘When you bite into a pear and the juice dribbles down your chin, spread a picnic rug under a shady elm, or pop a fuschia bud, do you ever ask the question: how did these plants come to be in Australia? It is quite possible that the answer lies in a simple invention made of glass and wood. ‘

Who was Dr Ward?

In London, in the early 1800s, a doctor and enthusiastic amateur naturalist, accidentally discovered a plant growing inside a glass container. Aware of the difficulties of transporting live botanical specimens aboard ships, Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward concluded that plants needed to be sealed in transparent cases, protected from salt spray, rats and clumsy sailors. The Wardian case (as it became known) revolutionized the transportation of plants and were in use up until 1962.

The show

Sarah and I begin with the ripping tale of how Dr Ward developed his idea, and we follow with two stories dedicated to specific trees (the golden elm and the weeping rosebud cherry) and a story dedicated to the gardeners.

The Amazing Case of Dr Ward and Other Stories is inspired by the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, designed by Edward La Trobe Bateman and opened in 1860.

For the full story of how this show was developed, see my blog post.

Duration

45 - 50 minutes

Requirements

• We travel with a small battery powered amp and mikes for small small gigs where sound is needed.

For audiences under 80 people:

• 4 metre x 3 metre space – preferably raised if the seating is flat

• No amplification required

For audiences over 80 people we need:

• 4 metre x 3 metre space – preferably raised if the seating is flat

• Digital projector for images

• Radio mike for Jackie and a mike on a stand for Sarah

Cost

Available on enquiry

The show is suitable for an inter-generational audience and ideal for festivals.

Images

See Photos page for hi-resolution photos.

Kamishibai images from the show

The Amazing Case of Dr Ward is a kamishibai story and the beautiful images were created by for us by Loraine Callow

Festivals

Sarah and I always have fun on the road. With my newly acquired skills at making videos on my phone I documented our trip to The Port Fairy Folk Festival in 2018.

Our fave festivals include: Stone the Crows (NSW), Williamstown Literary Festival, Newport Folk Festival and the Port Fairy Folk Festival. And I’ve flown the flag at the Singapore StoryFest, Under the Aalamaram Storytelling Festival (Tamil Nadu), Woodford (Queensland), Tamar Valley Writers Festival, Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival (Tasmania) and the Hamilton Woolly West Fest … just to name a few.

My Gongs

I’m a two time winner of the Spirit of Woodford Performance Award for Original Stories and Yarns (2007 and 2012). I’ve also won the Pat Glover Memorial Award, Port Fairy Folk Festival, in 2002, 2007 and 2009.