BY SHANNON VALENTINE
“The music deepens the story because music helps us to transcend everyday life and experience the present moment more powerfully.”
These are the words of multidisciplinary Australian creative Tania De Jong, a Member of the Order of Australia, on her upcoming show Driftwood the Musical. The show is directed by Gary Abrahams.
The show is based on Ms De Jong’s mother, Eva de Jong-Duldig, and her book Driftwood.
Ms De Jong said this powerful drama is more than a memoir, it is a story that will be related to across generations, for its core themes of art, creativity, survival, perseverance, family, love and freedom.
As an entrepreneur, soprano and global speaker, Ms De Jong is the curator, producer and lyricist of the production, as well as starring in the show, in which she portrays her grandmother Slawa.
“It is a great privilege to portray my inspirational grandmother Slawa,” Ms De Jong said.
“[My grandparents'] story is a deeply moving and compelling one.”
The show's creation stemmed from Eva de Jong-Duldig’s publication of her memoir Driftwood in 2017. The first draft of the show was completed in early 2020.
“This is an important, genuine, original story about Australia (with a global backdrop) that is about Melbourne and Australia without being stereotypical, brash, and narrow, which many Australian origin stories are,” Ms De Jong said.
Australian pianist, conductor, composer and Monash University alumni, Anthony Barnhill, is collaborating with Ms De Jong AM for this production. He will be the show's composer and musical director.
Barnhill's journey from Monash University to where he is now has included many famous shows.
“I completed a music degree at Monash University studying piano under Dr Kenji Fujimura. Since graduating I've worked as a conductor/pianist on some major productions around the world including West Side Story, Chicago and Evita. I'm excited to be musical director for Opera Australia's The Phantom of the Opera later this year,” Mr Barnhill said.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the arts industry, and this show had its share of complications.
“We did a reading of the show in March 2020 and it was the last job I worked on before the first lockdown. It's been difficult revising and developing the show through the various lockdowns - at times it felt as if we may never see it staged,” Mr Barnhill said.
“Experience of the pandemic may cast a new light on the piece for audiences. The plot thread of Slawa and her sister Rella, separated on opposite sides of the world, certainly has parallels with recent experiences. I think the piece will be deeply moving for audiences.”
Ms De Jong AM hopes people will connect to Driftwood the Musical and celebrate a story that mirrors challenges society is facing today. She wants it to uplift the audience with courage, hope and inspiration to create a brighter future for the younger generation.
The show will make its debut on May 13.
Driftwood the Musical will be playing in Melbourne at Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Clayton Campus from May 13 - 14 and at Chapel Off Chapel from May 18 - 28.
Click here for tickets and a full list of show times.