“IT IS the story that captures people – if I can do this anyone can,” that was the message acclaimed playwright Nathan Maynard had for emerging writers when he visited Mount Gambier.
Mr Maynard recently delivered writing workshops at Pangula Mannamurna and spoke to The Border Watch about his first full-length play, The Season, which will be performed at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
The Season, a heart-warming comedy about an Aboriginal family who come together each year for the traditional mutton bird harvest on Tasmania’s Dog Island was played out at the iconic Sydney Opera House and earned Mr Maynard a Green Room Award for best new writing.
But Mr Maynard said the critical acclaim was unexpected, especially given he had no writing experience before he penned the debut work.
“I have a background in dancing and in land management, both of which have nothing to do with writing,” he laughed.
“I have been writing for about four years now, but I jumped straight in the deep end with The Season.
“I barely finished high school and I had all this self-doubt, wondering if I could be any kind of writer when I barely completed English.
“What I have since realised is that no one goes to see a play and says ‘that was the most grammatically correct play I have ever seen’ – it’s about telling a captivating story.”
Mr Maynard said he had since delved into writing for television and film and was working across a number of projects.
“I have another story that is going to be toured around Tasmania next year, it’s called A Not So Traditional Story,” he said.
“I am writing for television at the moment for an animation series aired around Australia on NITV and I’m working on a feature film with a couple of other writers – I have a few projects on the go.”
The Season provides a glimpse into a little-known tradition and celebrates a thriving culture and was largely inspired by Mr Maynard’s own personal experiences.
He said he was lucky to be involved in the process of bringing The Season from page to the stage.
“Writers do not usually have this luxury, but I was part of the whole rehearsal process,” he said.
“I got to tour with the show when it went to Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania and did little rewrites as we went.
“To sit in with some of the great talent in the industry and learn from actors, directors and stage management was incredible.
“To see my play at the Sydney Opera House was surreal – it was an amazing experience and one that I look on very fondly and I am very proud of.”
Mr Maynard is a descendant of the chief of the Trawlwoolway Clan and of the whole of the North East Tasmanian Indigenous peoples.
He comes from a long line of mutton-birders.
The Season will be performed on August 18 at 7.30pm.
