Leading up to a big event such as a presentation, you might dream about what you will say or what could go wrong. Nearing the end of her career, one performer takes the stage for one last hurrah, however, things soon start spiralling out of control in Finale, at Ainslie Arts Centre on 12-15 July.

An intriguing mix of cabaret, drama and a lot of costume changes, writer and director Tracy Bourne says the piece isn’t a musical but more a music theatre work. Toying around with the idea for the last decade, Bourne originally wrote the work for herself. Then, with the support of Ainslie Arts, Finale was born, now with an older woman at the centre.

“I just don’t think we acknowledge the strength that older women have still. It’s like you’ve reached a certain age and it’s somewhere in your 40s or 50s, that it’s ‘Okay, you’re not young and beautiful anymore, I’m not sure if we’re interested in your story’,” says Ms Bourne.

As the central character connects with her audience, it inspires us to reflect on the importance of our own connections. The writer was inspired by the doom and gloom that seems to be looming over us today, and that what we really need at this time is a sense of community.

“I’ve put that into this character and she’s dealing with the sort of chaos of a performance that’s not going like she thought it would, which is sort of like life really. You set it up, you plan it, but it doesn’t go the way you think it’s going to go, and you see some problems ahead and you try to avoid them and actually, it’s the people around you that make it good, that make it okay,” says Ms Bourne.

Bringing the performance to the stage is local theatre legend, Moya Simpson, who says the piece is the most challenging thing she has ever taken on, expecting it to surprise some of her loyal fans.

“It’s an up and down ride. I would hope that people go away and have a good think about it all … People are worried about climate change, people are worried about the cost of living, it is a fairly dark time, and all we can do is kind of hang on to each other,” says Ms Simpson.

Exhilarated and terrified to share the production, it also has her thinking about the end of her own career.

“I’m now at an age where some of my contemporaries are getting sick and dying; I’m an old lady, there’s an inevitability about end of life,” says Simpson.

According to the performer, the end of life is something Australians in general aren’t great at dealing with, and there’s a million cultures handling it better. Turning 75 days before opening night, Ms Simpson reflected on the idea of a final show, saying she will keep going until her pipes tell her it’s time.

“I don’t ever want to be one of those singers where people think ‘Oh, dear, she really should have stopped’. So, all the time I’ve got a power and my creative partner who constantly writes for me, I’ll keep going, but if I feel like I can’t, I’m hoping I will know exactly when it’s time to stop,” she says.

Rehearsals have shown that Ms Simpson’s pipes are stronger than ever, Ms Bourne says, adding that the piece requires a strong performer and Ms Simpson perfectly captures the story. 

While the show is mainly a one-woman extravaganza, the musicians interact and become like characters as well. Taking on these roles are seasoned Canberra musicians John Black and Jonathon ‘Jonesie’ Jones, playing songs that will appeal to the crowd and showcase Ms Simpson’s vocal range, featuring the likes of Nick Cave, Amanda Palmer and Tom Waits. 

“Each song is a different character, so that is a really big challenge to find the character and then throw the song up in the air and do a version of it. There’s a few different accents that wander in too,” says Ms Simpson.

The production has been funded by Arts ACT and comes with an impressive wardrobe and set from Nyx Matthews. Ms Simpson says some audience members may gasp at her outfits; she sure did when she first saw them.

Hoping the audience will walk away feeling they have been taken on a ride through the dreams of someone else, the actor and the writer agree there is something about losing control that is captivating.

“I lose control definitely, whether that’s a metaphor for losing control over the end of your life, I don’t know, maybe. I don’t know how many people have control over that,” Ms Simpson says.

Sing as the world falls down in Finale, at Ainslie Arts Centre, 12-15 July; ainslieandgorman.com.au

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