What’s your Playback story? Once upon a time a friend invited me to see a Sydney Playback Theatre show. I had never heard of Playback and she told me how exciting it was – but I was busy with something important that day so couldn’t go. I couldn’t attend the next Playback show either and again and again it happened – it seems that the Universe was conspiring to delay our meeting. Finally, I saw their end of year show and it was like fireworks exploding, a storm of emotions, a deep reservoir of water, a healthy loamy soil… After the show I approached the performers to express my amazement and delight – and I couldn’t hold myself back from asking if I could join as a musician. I was invited to audition and we have lived happily ever after 🙂
Has any particular show stayed with you? Probably my first show – when I saw how humane, entertaining and rich each performance was. Each personal story revealed a part of each and every one of us – emotional, heart-wrenching, funny, impressive – stories from the profound to the ridiculous – and showing us in all our glorious beautiful humanity. I am from Russia and have degrees in drama, music and psychology, so Playback is a thing I could only dream of to compile my skills and experiences.
And your other passions? Life, music and theatre are my passion. Improvising songs in Playback performances has encouraged me to compose new songs, in English, for my band Ethnodelica which are on our upcoming album. You can listen to our last album here or find us on Facebook of course!
What does Playback Theatre offer? Playback offers the opportunity to meet different people and listen to them share their diverse life experiences. Some people watch Reality TV but that is edited and manipulated. Playback Theatre is the true reality – us living and breathing together, in all our shades and passions and stories.
