Claire M O'Brien

‘Julia’

By Joanna Murray-Smith

Directed by Sarah Goodes

Showing at Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre 5/9/2024-19/20/2024.

A burgeoning all expressive theatrical performance celebrating and applauding past Australian PM Julia Gillard’s outstanding leadership for all women and particularly her clarity of communicating in défence of women, how they are portrayed in public spaces and how one voice with well chosen words can channel a more positive outcome for women everywhere. Essentially a one woman show by Justine Clark, this reiterated as a focal point the famous misogyny speech which was barrelled along and made more accessible to the everyday listener by way of punctuations of swearing and colloquialisms. The hair (a precise red bob wig), minimal mannerisms, warm intonations, explanatory didactic pronunciation, and exact wording shaped the performance into a exaltant undeterred defiant crisp reverencing of the cream of the crop of public speakers Julia. By the media and especially in politics (shouted down, belittled, criticised and obstructed from her goals in office) Julia Gillard had not been given the renown fair go that historically Australia was to provide. Julia’s quintessential background she brought with her as Labor leader of our nation from 2010 to 2013 and her excellent debating and statesman skills were used for good outcomes. What her political and ideological opponents did not appreciate was that Julia Gillard had already made and protected a special place in politics for women which we appreciate in an ever expanding and embellishing way. A network of women in history wielding power were highlighted, enabled and proclaimed. The struggle for an equal footing is ever ongoing. ‘Julia’ is a great play to see and savour.

200% Wolf

This poodle is the runt of the pack and wants to make things better so calls on the ancient spirits to help out. A journey into out of space and explores good/ bad and the spirit world. Can be a little scary at times. I’m glad I had company at the cinema!

Inside Out 2

Fantastic insight into how the mind works around puberty. The mechanics of thought are so amazing to behold here. It makes one think objectively about what forces shape the teenage thought processes.

(From YouTube Inside Out 2 official trailer)

Eastern Blue tongue lizard

Always looking out for the quiet warm company of this garden buddy, often sunning itself on a day of clear skies, on our flowerbed.

Youngish Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard

Dune 1

This movie was heralded by a music score with siren-like urgently persistent horn. This was a high tech sci-fi movie that spoke issues of war, displaced persons, bloodlines, leadership requiring strength of mind and body and the futuristic war concept of immortality shields to protect to leaders from alien attack and wearing of oxygen therapy nasal tubes on the planet of Arrakis. T’was a tear jerker but showed the protagonist (Timothée Chalamet) excelling in finding safe ground and in so doing finding his love interest (Zendaya) who was a reflective and strong personality and whom he had vivid dreams of the future. The movie however was quite bloodthirsty & violent and had a growing sense of fear. The couple of focus (Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya) were nonchalant characters under pressure which was beguiling and a redeeming feature.

Stolen

Sydney Theatre Company performance about the stolen generation that I saw a week ago. It was really challenging to listen to the anguish expressed while seated and silent, in 2D. The voice expressed was strong and vibrant. It was great to witness the hope in the eyes of the audience as they filed out of the theatre afterwards. The Aboriginal characters on stage projected poignantly, as though their real existence was such. They shaped the issues of truth, transparency and strength of parenthood translated in our Australian history, emphasised by Rudd’s words in a recording played out loud recognising the needs of the stolen generation in political circles.

&Juliet

Great musical theatre, about Juliet not fretting when Romeo apparently dies but buoyed up by her friends and nurse’s goading she gains confidence, dates and a new lease on life! Well a happy ending after about 30 pop songs sung thanks to ‘Anne & William Shakespeare’.

Showing at Lyric theatre now for a short time.

https://www.sydneylyric.com.au/and-juliet/

Awareness (a reflection)

Time – seconds minutes years I ponder daily

With each meditation and prayer I feel one with time, and better in my grasp of acting in the moment.

One with God.

And if and when I feel bursts of surprise about the way things pan out I have God there too.

The warmth of God’s love i intend to be in my life as I wear a universal God’s heart on my sleeve.

The intermediary

Actualising creative approaches to my day is God centred too, seeing needs where I ought.

That I have hope for the future and becoming.

To connect to this becoming by selecting books combining intellectualism with stirring the soul with difference.

That I can use my platform to speak out for others and choosing my moment for coalescing with others about moments when I feel at one with creation, inspired and recognising the need for peace, buoyancy and 5 hugs a day!

‘Becoming a Synodal People’

The event this week at my church was a panel of 4 people discussing the future of women leadership in the Catholic Church. The discussion was led by Geraldine Doogue and was live streamed. I attended and it was a lively thought provoking discussion.