A long time between drinks…

… 7 months to be exact, since this blog has sprung into life, and said hello to the outside world. I have actually managed to fill that time with a huge range of things, and unfortunately didn’t find time to update this blog.

From working for the City of Melbourne part time, to designing three independent theatre shows, to assisting in the Operations Management of a company, and being a freelance theatre tech; life in generally finding a way to fill itself up.

So… Why the post today you may ask?! Well this moring, my flights were booked and paid for. I am returning to the United Kingdom (this time with a proper visa), to work with Natural Event as their Operations Manager on their music festival season, for just shy of 4 months. We are working on some amazing festivals including Glastonbury, RockNess, Sunrise Celebration, T In The Park, Secret Garden Party, Kendell Calling, Camp Bestival, Standon Calling, Bestival and more. I would run through the lineups, but it will only make you jealous, just Google one or two of the festivals, and you will see how dismal the Australian festival circuit is.

I thought I might take the opportunity to fill you in on some of the stuff I have been doing whilst back in the wonderful Melbourne town.

Shortly after my return from overseas, I was lucky enough to be offered a job with the City of Melbourne as the Technical Support Officer at two of their youth arts centres, ArtPlay and Signal. My role encompasses managing the lighting, sound, audio visual and computer based elements of the venues, as well as assisting the operations team in putting on and supporting workshops, performances, forums and the like. It is an amazing job, and I work with some amazing people, in two very unique and stunning venues. Please follow the links and join up to their eNewsletter, and if you know someone (or are someone) between the ages of 4-22, come down and get involved, as there are some great opportunities on offer.

I recently finished up designing the lighting for a show by Martia Fox called Waterproof, performed at the Melbourne City Baths. It was an amazing experience, if not a nerve racking one, trying not to electrocute the 5 person cast, as after all, I was placing electrical items in and around the pool. The work was based on an exploration of the subconscious and included a great soundscape by Liam Barton. I wanted to try and create a number of spaces in and around the pool by isolating the lighting to those areas, and using colour to shape the flow of lighting throughout the work. The finished product was an amazing success, click here for more images. My thanks to all involved, especially Director/Performer Marita Fox, and my lighting operator Ryan Heath.

Previous to this work, I designed the lighting for a work by Four Larks Theatre Company, called The Fate of Franklin. This work included original musical accompaniment and a very large cast. It was performed in a warehouse (secret location) in Northcote, and enjoyed an almost sold out season. The show was based upon letters written by Lady Franklin, and her husbands fatal voyage to try and find the north west passage. The show flicked between Lady Franklin’s battle to find out what had happened, and the men struggling to survive in the Antarctic. My lighting design played with this transition, by using a range of different fixtures, including painted incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. The design was very successful in supporting the performers to tell the tale and take the audience on a journey. My thanks to Chloe Greaves, who was not only my lighting operator, but a great collaborator on the lighting design.

Late last year, I was contacted by the Black Lung Theatre and Whaling Firm (great name or what?) to collaborate on a show (Called Glasoon) they were producing in an old shop front in Brunswick. They are quite renowned for being very out there with their shows, so I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Many an evening was spent in the space, drilling lights into the ceiling and wiring them to beams and screwing them into the floor. The finished product was a grungy show, that packed a punch and was guaranteed to offend at least a few in the audience. I also operated the show, and learnt most of the dialogue by heart. I can safely say that it was one of the most enjoyable shows I have ever designed, as I became one of the Black Lung family. Thanks to Thomas and all the Black Lung Crew. For more information and images click here.

Apart from Theatre Lighting Design, I have been involved with a number of very random and very entertaining things… Such as:

Doing promotion work for Ice Break (Real Coffee, Ice Cold)

Driving a float in the Moomba Parade

Playing with fireworks and New Years Eve in the City

Working on weird sculptures for Melbourne International Arts Festival

Having fun with Sonic the Hedgehog at St Kilda Festival

And taking the dog for a walk

So I flee the Australia winter for the English Summer, not a great improvement in temperature, but it’s still called summer, so I’ll hold onto that idea. I guess I want to give you all the opportunity to stay signed up to my updates, or run without ever looking back, you can change your subscription status at geordiebarker.com/follow. I will be posting my adventures to amazing festivals and hopefully get to sneak in a quick trip to Europe at the end, we shall soon see. I like the documentation process, and love getting news and feedback from home, so please comment as much as you like, and tell me what you want to see, or hear. SynFM have asked if I would be their worldwide festival reporter, and ring in occassionally with updates on festivals and reviews. I’m very much into this idea, so stay tuned!

Until next time, stay safe!

Geordie