Rather than report more on our health status at home which now includes my husband’s demise, I am choosing to focus on the positive. On Saturday 20 June, tickets are booked for seats at Circa Theatre in Wellington, as we couldn’t attend the opening of ‘Julia’ on 30 May. I am still hopeful of seeing the one-woman show, as my daughter Lara is ‘Julia’. Although it is rather ‘wait and see’ for us here.
Most Australians would know the name Julia Gillard, and her short period as Prime Minister. As the commentary says on the flyer “In 2012, Julia Gillard delivered a speech that ricocheted across the world.”
“‘JULIA’ brings the woman and the moment to the stage in a gripping one-woman performance that puts us inside a very public storm and reveals the life and pressures that led to it.”
Lara was staying with us earlier in the year, and began to study the lines for this 100 minute production. It is still hard for me to imagine how she got the pages of script down, for I know that she fretted about ‘finding Julia’ right up to production week. It certainly has been a tough job, with online sessions with an Australian voice coach to get the particular nuances of her character’s speech patterns spot on. Julia Gillard had hints of the Welsh language in her voice, but that wasn’t all Lara had to pick up, she also took on other accents, and characters, briefly, throughout the show.
This photo shows Lara having her look align more to that of her character. Quite hard I would think, to resemble a woman somewhat smaller in build but be so believable in the role. Reports from audience members and reviews, show just how well Lara has portrayed Julia.
Kerry and I would love to see the show. It would be great for her to receive a standing ovation as she did when the play opened. Can you tell I am a very proud mother?
Julia: written by Joanna Murray-Smith and performed by Lara Macgregor
ARTISTRY 