In the Audience


Have you ever done anything interesting, creative, embarrassing or unusual as a member of an audience or crowd?

Here are a few of my endeavours:

1. Mum, a friend, and I were at a pantomime in England, directly following our flight from Australia. We felt somewhat conspicuous being in the front row. Rather than just falling asleep, I recall incessantly 'coming to after nodding off'. To this day I maintain that I gained a solid appreciation for the genre of pantomime and a perception that the cast were very professional. I have no idea what the pantomime was. Jack and the Beanstalk? Probably not. I'm pretty sure I did that thing I do when super tired, which is trying to keep one eye open so that the other can have a rest. Not very effective.

2. For unknown reasons, a relative and I found a performance at the Ipswich Civic Centre hysterically funny one Easter. We weren't sitting together, but we independently decided we had better depart the scene. We met up almost 'out the door' and then collapsed into the foyer seats in merriment. No further details will be provided.

3. In the front row of Court 1 at Wimbledon, I raucously supported Lleyton Hewitt to the subtle irritation of surrounding English fans. This occurred despite my fibromyalgia being extremely significant at the time. That's why I ended up in the front row. (Also, thanks to my sister who gave me her ticket). Notably, Lleyton acknowledged me and Mum at the end of his victory. Go Lleyton! 

4. On completion of conducting the national anthem at a drag racing event near Ipswich, I brilliantly failed to comply with instructions to cover ears the moment the music finished. I obviously didn't realise that I was immediately going to be thrust from the role of musical performer to that of drag racing crowd participant. No further comment. 

5. As a year 8 student, one of the greatest things that ever happened was the headmistress's dog Boy walking onto the stage, and then the piano, during assembly. I don't think I did anything particularly unusual in response, but I was part of the general laughter. I'm confident that this event had a much bigger impact on me than most because of the way that it brought together my love for dogs, comedy and piano. This spectacle remains a topic of conversation in my household to this day.

(Picture taken by a relative when we were at Lake Eacham in North Queensland some years ago. This pelican put on the most beautiful performance gliding effortless around the space). 

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