Qtopia, Sydney has opened in the old Darlinghurst Police Station, built in 1899 and decommissioned in 1987. It’s now a welcoming, inclusive space – devoted to the memory, education and celebration of the unique histories and lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The old Police Station is the new home for The Loading Dock – Qtopia, Sydney’s flagship theatre. Ad Astra Theatre Company has been chosen to produce the venue’s first ever production – Michael Gow’s ‘Toy Symphony’, about playwright Roland Henning who is suffering from writer’s block. Audiences in attendance will truly be a brand-new part of Australian history.
Here, we speak to Producer and Actor Gregory J Wilken about the show, and about what Ad Astra are looking forward to about presenting this in such an historic location.
What’s ’Toy Symphony’ about?
‘Toy Symphony’ follows the journey of Roland Henning, a playwright suffering from dreaded writers’ block. As he embarks on a voyage of self-reflection in the hope of finding himself again, we are given glimpses of his troubled past, and the possible causes of his current malaise. The production is a clever combination of real-time storytelling with moments of flashback and elements of magical realism. Along the way, we meet characters from the present day, those from his childhood and every now and then, a figure from history who appears and disappears on the whim of Roland’s imagination. It is uncomfortable, disconcerting and hilarious, as the young Roland’s ‘magical’ ability to summon up historical characters, battles with the many adults in his childhood who are desperately trying to suppress his imagination.
What inspired you to take on this show in particular?
It was Australian, it was by one of Australia's greatest playwrights, Michael Gow, and it is just a great play. There is such a kaleidoscope of stories that can be told about the LGBTQIA+ community, this is one of them. It is also one of the very few stories for the stage, film or television that the story isn't necessarily about being gay, but the lead role is gay. We need to see more LGBTQIA+ characters in stories that are about a whole range of different aspects, not just gay stories! Thanks to Michael Gow, we have one such story.
Tell us a bit about Roland Henning, your character.
Roland Henning is someone who is full of struggle. . . With his past and present, with himself and with others. Roland is a writer who grew up in Como, the Sutherland Shire, who had an incredibly sharp and creative mind, but had to deal with the bullying many creatives and LGBTQIA+ people deal with, even today. We go through how he tries to cope as a young child, a teenager and then how it manifests itself later in life.
What’s your favourite element of this role?
I love how we see the depths to which someone can sink to in their life because of past trauma, but how with time, we can be forgiven and find peace. The simple joy of being a young creative and how the world tries to shut that down, but it can't be!
The play will be held inside Qtopia, Sydney. For those who don’t know, what IS Qtopia, Sydney?
Qtopia, Sydney is Australia's first LGBTQIA+ cultural and heritage centre. The fact that it is now located in the 120-year-old Darlinghurst Police Station that was a place that has caused many in our community so much pain and anguish somehow feels like we have taken our power back. This is a space to celebrate who we are, where we have come from, the battles we have fought, the friends, family and lovers we have lost and the brilliant, exciting, colourful world we create!
This is the first production at this particular venue. What does that mean to you?
I cannot even express the gratitude I feel to Qtopia, Sydney for this opportunity. The entire cast and crew is very aware that this honour also means we need to do the very best we can to make it a memorable first production. Having lived through the AIDS crisis and lost many friends, many of whom now on the central remembrance wall, is truly emotional for me, and I would love to honour them with the best production we can do. We would also love to fill the theatre with people celebrating this incredible transformation.
Why are places like Qtopia, Sydney important for Australians to have access to?
It is important that we don't forget those who fought so hard to get our community heard, recognised and respected. We need to remember them, honour them and never ever forget the sacrifices they made, as the world can change very quickly. The AIDS crisis was one of the worst displays of humanity in our history and we saw the vast differences between what was done for COVID-19 and what was not done for us. We lost a whole generation of young men – intellectuals, poets, dancers, playwrights, doctors, philosophers and so many others during this dark time. We need to remember them too. However, it is also important for us to celebrate our vibrant, colourful lives, the diversity of all of the community, the talent we have and the love we share.
How are you hoping audiences respond to the work that is ’Toy Symphony’?
We are truly hoping that they love the fact that we have opened the building with a gay character in the lead of an Australian play that tells the story of his journey. It is just one of a kaleidoscope of stories that should be told from every part of our community and I know the team at Qtopia, Sydney are making sure that they honour this and show a whole range of stories told in many different ways. We hope that some people see their journey through life and what they have battled and know that there is always hope, there is always colour and there is always imagination!
‘Toy Symphony’ plays The Loading Dock Theatre at Qtopia, Sydney 18-27 April. Use code FROOTY for 20 per cent off tickets.
