Day 8 - On the Upside Down of the World & Pauline Scanlon

On the eighth day my handbag was a veritable shit storm of tickets, gum wrappers, leaky lip gloss, strewn unused tissues that had jumped out of their packet and my iPad. My bedroom was a cacophony of clothes, shoes and make-up (there was a least a space for me to nestle into at night). I'd eaten cereal and had a cup of coffee for dinner. I was in my own upside down world upon preparing for 'On The Upside Down of the World'.

Jolene and I walked into a newly transformed Baycourt theatre to a set of ladders in sand. The actress walked on stage wearing a costume complimenting the rigid structures and began the 80 minute show; an account of immigrating to Aotearoa in the 1800's. A thought provoking and stellar performance that struck a chord with me, somewhat a little close to home. It has been the only piece of theatre that I have ever become emotionally entangled with as I quickly wiped away a tear to prevent more from falling. I could not leave looking like I had auditioned for A Clockwork Orange.

Straight afterwards we left for the Pacific Crystal Palace to see Pauline Scanlon and arrived upon the opening duet with Pauline and the 'Irish version of George Clooney'. There's nothing like an Irish accent to make a girl weak. I've tried replicating it many a time, but always end up sounding like a pirate.

Her voice was like delicate droplets caressing a pool of water. And once the whole quartet of vocalist, acoustic, double bass and accordion were in collaboration, I pictured myself amid lush green rolling countryside with the music adding to the scenery. There were of course the festive Irish beats that you could sink a Guinness or two, in a happy pub and have the weight of the world cast aside from your shoulders. Every song told an important tale. This was definitely better than any Irish pub CDs I had heard.

Like a little leprechaun, I escaped at intermission. I really wanted to stay on, but I needed to tuck into the corner of the bed I have ready for sleeping. Perhaps I should set one up in the Palace?

Pauline Scanlon is also performing at The Landing, Katikati on Friday 28th.