Ash Wednesday Play Reading at Mountain Festival 2024

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Sat 23 Nov 2024 - Sun 24 Nov 2024

Fire.

Primal. Primordial. Devastating.

Fire appeals to our caveman sensibilities and strips us back to our most basic selves—vulnerable and flawed. It takes away not only our possessions but also any glimmer of hope and humour.

For audience members with memories of the catastrophic 1983 Macedon bushfires, Ash Wednesday could be immensely triggering. Thankfully, Red Cross volunteers were present, and a breakout room was available for anyone needing a moment of reprieve during the performance.

For others, Ash Wednesday could prove to be a cathartic experience and an incredible opportunity to learn local history.

Through meticulous recounts and captivating storytelling, viewers are invited to immerse themselves in the deeply personal stories of heartbreak and self-discovery that emerged in the aftermath of the flames that ravaged the Macedon region, driving hundreds to seek refuge at the Railway Hotel.

Commissioned two years ago for the Mountain Festival, Ash Wednesday explores themes of loss, community resilience, and disaster response.

Characters wrestle with their inner demons as they navigate survivor's guilt and trauma. Some find there are no real lessons to be gleaned from the fire which leaves a litany of questions in its wake.

Perhaps you weren’t as courageous as you thought you would be.
Perhaps the inferno challenged your sense of self.
Perhaps there are no real winners.

Just degrees of loss.

Do we rise from the ashes?
Learn to accept the charity of our neighbours and find a way to overcome our collective grief?
Ash Wednesday doesn't provide easy answers; instead, it plunges us into the raw, unfiltered reality of a disaster.

The blistering heat during the festival weekend added to the palpable tension onstage as characters reached for hope and succumbed to despair.

Pia Miranda (Looking for Alibrandi, Heat) and Shane Jacobson (Kenny's World, Hairspray) were mesmerising to watch. However, it was the integration of local actors, including several very young performers, with seasoned professionals that made the story feel incredibly real with the blend of ages mirroring the diversity of those affected by the real life events and adding yet another layer of authenticity to the performance.

The play didn't glorify the fire or the people. It was a gripping yet authentic depiction of actual events, painstakingly researched based on survivors' accounts by writer Kate Rice.

The Q&A segment at the end was a refreshing way to hear insights from Jacobson, Rice and director Iain Sinclair, as well as audience members in attendance.

A powerful piece with an inspiring message that deserves to be heard.

Special thanks to Kate Crawshaw whose dedication ensures this production and its potent message continues to be shared with audiences far and wide.



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