Alan Brunton

Daphne Owers

I first met Alan in 1997 when he performed 33 perfumes of pleasure at Taki Rua in Wellington. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Zhenia, a member of Roadworks, I was invited to perform with Red Mole in The Navigators the following year, and this was the beginning of a five-year friendship with Alan. I worked on several Red Mole and Roadworks productions – Babushka Suite, O Fortuna, Epiphany Locks, Darkness Not Asleep, Angel in the Rain and Zarathustra Said -- and I saw many other Red Mole shows including Radio Radio, Compostela and Grooves of Glory. So many masterful words, direction and acting. I can say without hesitation that Alan and Sally are the most important and inspirational teachers in my experience of theatre.

When I left New Zealand to live in Berlin in June of this year, I knew that I might not have the opportunity to work with Sally and Alan again for several years. So when I was invited to perform with them in Zarathustra Said in Norway, just two weeks after moving overseas, it was not an opportunity to turn down. It proved to be a special week and became also my last days with Alan. He is gone but his words come back to me when I least expect it. Just yesterday I saw a strange bird on my neighbour’s´roof . . .

One day a bird flew by me, and I believed I saw an eagle. The whole world took pains to prove I was mistaken. But who, as they say, was really 'fooled,'? I spent a whole summer in a lofty world of hope on account of this bird. Amen. (from Angel in the Rain)

Alan´s words will live on, and his teaching of countless others will influence theatre for many years ahead, but still I’m so sorry he´s gone. He had so much more to write, and so many more shows to perform, and I was sure the week in Norway wouldn´t be the last time I performed with him.

Thinking of you always Alan, and how you changed my life. Thank you.

Daphne
Berlin, 8 December 2002

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Last updated 14 December, 2002