On Friday night, I had an amazing time at the (free!) show Moving People: A night of performing writing on coming and going from Western Sydney, a joint initiative of the Sydney Writer’s Festival and Bankstown Youth Development Service (BYDS). The Westside Writer’s Group came together for a night of poems, vignettes and performances about people from Western Sydney. I was kindly invited along by Mariam, Westside Publications’ publicist after reviewing their latest book, Three Novelettes which you may have seen on my blog a couple of months ago.
I arrived at Bankstown Arts Centre just shy of 7pm with my fiancé, Ryan in tow, feeling a little nervous as we immersed into the crowd of artsy folk with creative and colourful outfits and a clear sense of excitement in the air. Ryan was pleased about the mini pizzas and spinach triangles that were served pre-show, which was just enough to take the edge off our hunger after an hour in the traffic for what should have taken half that time had it not been peak hour.
At just after 7, the doors opened and a stampede of eager viewers cascaded into the theatre, a cozy room characterised by a towering grandstand which held approximately 150 people. It was a full house! We slipped into the end of a row a couple of seats back from the front and settled in for the show. I was completely blown away. The writer’s were amazing, their performances captivating and their words lingered in my mind throughout the rest of the evening.
The most thought-provoking by far, was Fiona Wright who discussed the internal conflicts she faced in Sri Lanka battling an eating disorder in a country of poverty.
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Sounds like an amazing, moving night.
It was a fantastic evening Kathryn!
It sounds like a fantastic event, Jayne – great recap!
Thanks Mandee, i loved it!
I thought Susie was amazing. Easily the best of the night. She has a huge career in front of her. What a gorgeous girl.
I agree Scott, Susie was lovely and performed her piece very well.