Amelia Parker has no idea what strangers from different points in history — 19th century London, 1930s Australia, and 1940s Germany — are doing in her bedroom. Nor do they. But it soon transpires that someone wants her dead. When she grows up — if she’s allowed to grow up — Amelia’s decisions will change the world. She must fight for her survival — and decide how she will leave her mark on history.
Green Oak Theatre — a small, volunteer-run company — is raising money to workshop Amelia Parker’s Assassination, a time-travel drama by producer and creative director Shaylie Gillies. Canberra audiences will get an early look at the work, and may influence what the play becomes.
The play is a drama with both light-hearted and comedic moments and moments for thought. Its theme, Gillies explains, is that there are no important or unimportant people in history.
“Everyone has a role to play, and their lives have some meaning and purpose… We can’t necessarily pick and choose the bits that we do and don’t like. We have to work out what our impact is going to be.”
The ‘first draft’ performance will be held at Belconnen Theatre on 19 September. The actors will rehearse for only two weeks, then perform the play with scripts in hand.
“The focus is not to have a polished performance at the end, like you would normally have for a play, but the focus is to improve the script,” Gillies said. “The audience members will have the opportunity to give feedback as well, so that when, in the future, we put on the full stage production, it’s as good as it can possibly be.”
A full production is envisaged for 2028, possibly earlier.
“I hope people remember, ‘I saw the first draft, I want to see how that’s developed, and whether they’ve taken on some of my feedback,’” Gillies said.
To raise money for the first draft performance, a trivia night will be held at the New Life Presbyterian Church on Saturday 25 July.
Gillies hopes to raise $500, which will help the company afford the theatre and pay for other costs, like getting technology into the theatre.
“Even though it doesn’t seem like a large amount of money, every little bit really helps,” Gillies said.
“We don’t have any government funding. We don’t have rich investors. We’re very community-based and community-supported. The money that comes to us does not go into my pocket or any of my production team members’ pockets. It goes towards the company and what we’re putting on.”
Up to 10 people can form trivia teams, while unattached people can join singles or couples tables.
The night also features an art market, selling handmade lino prints, photographs, and cards, and a bar selling non-alcoholic drinks. Snacks will be provided for each table.
The victorious table can win a hamper with a range of local goodies, free tickets to the first draft performance of Amelia Parker’s Assassination, and vouchers to Axxe, Splash Lab, and the Riddle Room.
Tickets are $15 per person; group discounts are available.
“It’s a fun night: it’s really chill,” Gillies said. “You get to meet different people; spend time with your friends and family on your team; and learn new things as part of trivia. You’re supporting not just our theatre company, but all the people that work with us: technology production companies, graphic designers, theatres, actors, artists. Not only are you getting a good time out of it, and good value for money, you’re supporting the arts in Canberra.”
Green Oak bridges the gap between youth-oriented amateur theatre and semi-professional adult theatre companies, Gillies believes.
She and Caleb Wells founded the company in 2019 to stage a musical they wrote based on the children’s book The Thornthwaite Inheritance.
They have now had five major productions: two plays, a musical, a comedy, and a short play showcase.
Next year, they hope to stage another musical and short play competition.
The company takes its name and emblem from the oak tree, a Celtic symbol of life, strength, and connection to people and place, Gillies explains.
“Starting as a small acorn, the oak grows tall and broad, its branches providing food, shelter and tools for survival. Its shade allows people to come together, share stories and create. From little things big things grow!”
Fundraiser: Saturday 25 July, 7.30pm, New Life Presbyterian Church, 107 Wanganeen Avenue, Ngunnawal. Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com.au/DMSRW
Show: Belconnen Theatre, 19 September, 7pm. Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DMYUO
