Australia Day in Benalla
January 27, 2004
by Di Greentree
Another inspiring tour! Club Refuge was invited to perform at an Australia Day event in Benalla and invited, too, to an Afghan dinner the previous night.
What a treat! The food was sumptuous (always a bonus for actors), and many moving stories were told by Afghan people living on TPV's. Afghan musicians played and a lovely little girl danced for us in her national costume.
We had been asked to try to tailor the show so that a more positive approach was taken on this occasion ... some of the success stories ... so this we did and included some new pieces and our new song, 'Zenzenina ... What Have We done'. Our Iranian friend (who has occasionally summed up the courage to perform with us in past Club Refuge shows) came too, but doubted that he'd be able to speak as he'd been in contact with the family he has not seen for 3 years, and was deeply depressed. The music, the fun, the stories, the cast of friends, the open hearted welcome that the town gave us all helped to lift his gloom and after rehearsing with us he was confident enough to tell the story of his flight here (and to move us all to tears).
It was quite cathartic for him and afterwards he was a different person. The power of performance had helped him turn a corner and he commented 'I felt something has lifted from my shoulders'.
If we achieved nothing else (and we actually achieved much more, I feel), this was something that made it all very worthwhile.
The new song went down very well and we want to include it always.
The local R.A.R. presented us with a cheque for over $300 in donations.
Best wishes,
Di
by Di Greentree
Another inspiring tour! Club Refuge was invited to perform at an Australia Day event in Benalla and invited, too, to an Afghan dinner the previous night.
What a treat! The food was sumptuous (always a bonus for actors), and many moving stories were told by Afghan people living on TPV's. Afghan musicians played and a lovely little girl danced for us in her national costume.
We had been asked to try to tailor the show so that a more positive approach was taken on this occasion ... some of the success stories ... so this we did and included some new pieces and our new song, 'Zenzenina ... What Have We done'. Our Iranian friend (who has occasionally summed up the courage to perform with us in past Club Refuge shows) came too, but doubted that he'd be able to speak as he'd been in contact with the family he has not seen for 3 years, and was deeply depressed. The music, the fun, the stories, the cast of friends, the open hearted welcome that the town gave us all helped to lift his gloom and after rehearsing with us he was confident enough to tell the story of his flight here (and to move us all to tears).
It was quite cathartic for him and afterwards he was a different person. The power of performance had helped him turn a corner and he commented 'I felt something has lifted from my shoulders'.
If we achieved nothing else (and we actually achieved much more, I feel), this was something that made it all very worthwhile.
The new song went down very well and we want to include it always.
The local R.A.R. presented us with a cheque for over $300 in donations.
Best wishes,
Di
posted by Actors for Refugees at 5:45 PM
<< Home