Definition of 'quighting':  to depart from | an 18th century word for quit

Opening a Conversation | Loneliness

Welcome to tonight's performance of THE QUIGHTING TIME, a new work that is specifically designed to open up the possibility of a conversation about loneliness in our lives.  There are horrifying statistics regarding how many people now live alone in western society, and that in times of genuine need, how many people have very few family or friends to turn to for help.  This issue is exemplified by Simone.  She is a woman alone, living in a tower – stranded and bereft.

In creating Simone's story, we have reached back into elements of our own shared experiences.  But we have extended and dramatised them.  We have taken them from the natural into a world that is heightened, symbolist and expressionistic, where movement creates an evocative landscape through which we view Simone's action.  We have chosen memorable music to augment the hum drum sequence of events in this night's journey contrapuntally presented beautiful lines of poetry from Dickinson, Tennyson and Shakespeare.  We have made artistic choices to communicate Simone's pain and internal turmoil.  

In making THE QUIGHTING TIME, we have been very concerned with the nature of our protagonist's experience and why she has made the choice that she has.  By presenting this, we do not endorse or recommend her course of action. In fact, as artists, we have discussed this repeatedly, and considered other paths she might have taken.  But Simone's path is one that is sadly often evidenced in society and for that reason we have not strayed from it.  If you feel at all affected by her journey, please do not hesitate in seeking assistance from a mental health professional or organisations such as Lifeline or Beyond Blue.  Yours in theatre...

Michael Beh