Things done well And with a care exempt themselves from fear...

I'm not just writing this because I'm super keen on Daniel (I think everyone's figured that out by now, including Daniel)... but his show really is quite brilliant. It's a little intimidating, but inspiring at the same time. I do feel a deep longing and dread fear of this style of creative physical theatre. Improvisation and devised performance seem very scary, it's been such a long time since I practiced in that manner. And Daniel's writing is very clever and laugh-out-loud funny aswell. Very impressed. I am certain this emersion in creativity will improve my complexion. Or at least my soul. And hopefully some of those skills will rub off on me too.
After the run, Daniel took me out for a delicious vegetarian dinner at an Indian restaurant called karma. One South African practice I am growing accustomed to is payment for car watching. This is a small donation made to someone who will guard your car from theft while you are dining, or shopping, or visiting friends etc. This even occurs in suburban streets. There is a tiny little hut which looks like an outhouse in Daniel street - is it an outhouse?? Or just shelter from the sun? for the use of the car guard. Daniel's household doesn't use this car-minding facility at R400 per month (i think, which is about $80AUS). Instead, exits and entrances to the house require the complex locking and unlocking and opening of a large gate. This was still somewhat novel to me though I imagine the process would fast become painfully bothersome. All houses in Johannesburg have high fences with some variation of pointy dangerous blades or wire (some also electric) on top to deter burglars. This prevented me from making much observation of Jo'burg architecture, though Daniel's place reminds me of a house I lived in in Ashgrove during uni - high ceilings with fretwork, possibly art deco? dark wood door frames and some panels, and a lovely big garden and yard (good for rehearsals).

Thursday entailed more rehearsals on the lawn. I went for a walk BY MYSELF in the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Jozi. It was only a couple of blocks to the shopping centre, but I was instructed not to talk to strangers. So I said hello to the car guard. Then I politely declined the offer of a lift (and a coffee) from a man in a BMW. Then I spoke to the avocado man who was selling his produce on a street corner. A lovely (yes, black) guy with a massive smile, he easily convinced me that his avocados were cheaper and better than those available in store. I also spoke to some girls I encountered perusing the red wine beside me in the earlier mentioned wine aisle. A tid-bit of wit dripped upon us as a group of guys passed us gracing us with the assessment "alcoholics anonymous"; a quick quip returned by one of the girls: "alcoholics UNANIMOUS". Hmm. After some time had passed and I was still discovering new items on the shelves (the sweets and chocolates aisle by this stage), I received a concerned text from Daniel. In two hours I had not found much "suitable for vegetarians" so wandered back, passed smiling avocado man, and tried not to talk to strangers.
Another sofa showing for friends in the evening. I did a terrible job of prompt duty. A credit to the work (and my excuse)- I was too engaged in the performance to follow the script.
Friday I tagged along to rehearsals. Aware of the Yoko factor here, and trying hard to be a useful presence, I prompted (badly) again for the afternoon showing. After a feedback session, the audience of about 6 friends/acquaintances/theatre types all went out to dine and drink with us at a local bar in Melville, a trendy arty suburb just down the road from Daniel's home at Auckland Park.
Saturday (departure looming).. more rehearsals. While the Collinger cast reworked and fine-tuned moments following up from yesterday's response, I watched Daniel's mate Scott Sparrow, tech and mark-thru his one-man show, The Performer's Travel Guide. Also extraordinarily creative and clever. If only I could have daily exposure to this kind of process, the fear of it may slip away. Daily exposure to Daniel would definately help....
Our last supper: a spectacular meal at a Vietnamese and Thai restaurant called Soi. I am going to attempt to replicate one of the entrees we ate, documented here to aid my memory: Squares of spinach leaves about 10cm X 10cm are rolled into cones, into which minute portions of the following are sprinkled: lemon, ginger, coconut, lemongrass, chilli, peanuts and...damn.. one more thing I can't recall...starting with O maybe.. Daniel?? Anyway, it's all drizzled with palm sugar (that tasty dip often served with spring rolls). Tasty. Watch out for it next time I invite you for tea... We orderd a cocktail for dessert, a 'Velvet Turkish Delight', which was indeed the most delightful cocktail I've ever downed.
Sunday was the tech and final dress for Dr Collinger's Funeral Service, in preparation for the Festival of Fame (yes, yes, it's a terrible name isn't it), a school festival held at the National School of Arts. The school is not particularly flash looking, nor well-funded apparently, however, it appears to offer great arts education and opportunities. Certainly something I would have appreciated and gained from at high school age. I took photos of the dress rehearsal. Very reluctant to leave.