It was May last year when I starting thinking about Sidetrack Theatre. I took a half day off from my day job to meet with Don Mamouney and to ask him about the theatre. A couple of weeks prior I had gone to the theatre with Jonathan Wald to see Wayne Tunks’ latest production. Sidetrack had remained a “venue for hire” after it’s funding was cut- and seemed to have occasional shows on- but nothing that splashed loudly in the print media or on the web. It is the theatre which I am geographically closest to. If Belvoir is Mr Waites’ “local”, then “Sidetrack” is certainly mine.
I made some enquiries and tentatively put a pencil booking in for a week in the space for May 2010 with Century Venues- a lovely guy called Thomas Downey was helping me navigate my way. A small amount of money came forward from Marrickville Council (enough for a week’s worth of production) when I approached them about creating an omnibus (multi-writer) project based at Sidetrack for artists who live in the local area. The celebration/carnival of Brand Spanking New had finished when Kate Gaul was appointed the curator of the 2010 Sidetrack Season. I had to apply again to have a slot confirmed. She gave me two weeks – and my one week May slot was moved to two weeks in late March.
Christmas happened.
Then, I made a decision. “Time to go for it Gus. 2010- is the chinese year of the tiger- the year of courage. Put your money where your mouth/blog/heart is. Go for it.” I sent out an expression of interest to the writers and directors I had enjoyed working with on previous projects- writers who I am a fan of- writers who I admire- who inspire me- who tells stories in a unique and powerful way. Would anyone be interested? I am asking them to travel on a bus… I am asking them to come on board a collaborative writers project with emerging and established writers mixed together… I am asking for them to write under deadline…
Coffee with Playwrights and directors began.

Last Wednesday playwrights and directors arrived at the theatre to hear more about the project- to meet each other- to hear about the participants- how the project will work. Looking around the theatre I saw the most amazing people talking and making dinner plans with each other, getting to know each other, introducing themselves. Passionate people who are willing to come on board- to write- to direct new writing- a creative team who will be providing support, their resources and their time and energy because they are excited by ideas. These are the champions of new Australian writing- with whom I am honoured to be associated with… the ones who believe new work should be produced (not just developed), they believe that the arts is about communicating, experimenting, exploring NOT about competing.

On Tuesday the first week’s writers took a bus trip to the end of the line. Last night they had their first script meeting. It was inspiring, touching, gutsy, hilarious, beautiful…
Tonight is the first busride for the second week’s participants… and I can’t wait…