alexandra collier
It’s Madeleine’s last day at the restaurant. But as each day ticks over, with uncanny similarity, she is still waiting. To make matters worse, Madeleine is romantically entangled with Paris, the wannabe poet and waiter; and Dave, the rough-as-guts chef. At any moment, things can and will tip over into a Dean Martin dance sequence. Still waiting. A world where everyone wants to be someone and somewhere else.
Awarded the RE Ross Trust Playwrights Award, 2003, featured in Collection 06, compilation of the best Australian play of 2006. First performed at La Mama, Melbourne, 2005. Directed by Cat Wilson. Featuring Alexandra Collier, Dylan Lloyd & Simon Maiden. Performed at the Holden St Theatre, Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2006. Directed by Gorkem Acaroglu. Featuring Alexandra Collier, Dylan Lloyd & Simon Maiden.
Madeleine:
Why am I here? Why am I here? You’ve asked yourself. I’ve asked myself. Is it for money? For love? Am I stuck, am I lost? Am I confused? Yes, I’m fucking confused. I tell you why. Because nowadays, not like the old days or the war days or the bygone era of one career solid life path marriage children mortgage mid-life crisis possible affair rebirth retirement superannuation dependency. Nowadays we have a choice. No, not one. A million. We have a million choices and suddenly when you’re faced with a multiplicity of careers, fame, becoming someone, being someone, doing everything nothing… You’re paralysed. I mean: achieve, achieve, achieve. That’s the motto of today. If I haven’t written my first novel released a platinum album had a hit film Oscar nomination donated my life to starting a charity organisation met the man slash woman of my dreams travelled the world studied the great texts made a seminal contribution to academia been nominated as young Australian of the year by the time I’m 24 then what am I? I’m obviously not working hard enough. So don’t ask me why I’m here… Why are you here?
But the full text of Still Waiting from the Australian Script Centre.
