AUGUST 29
Remember his name

The announcement of this year’s Griffin Award is very exciting. It always is, of course, but this time it has gone to a writer whose name is not instantly recognisable. There were some very recognisable names on the shortlist – Alana Valentine, Sue Smith and Ross Mueller. But it was Rick Viede who nabbed the honour, and as we saw from the reading of Whore, it was well-deserved. Viede is one of Griffin’s resident playwrights, but to the industry up until this week, would be considered ‘emerging.’ He’s also young, prolific and has a drag queen alter-ego named Glace Chase. Compared to the usual low profiles of playwrights, I think Rick Viede might just be something special.

As Viede’s name was announced on Tuesday night, generous applause filled the Stables foyer. After a few seconds, heads turned, seeking out the winner. Then, Nick Marchand took the mic, and with a sly smile said, “Unfortunately...” This Logie-esque moment was explained, as Viede is currently in Edinburgh for the Festival. He received the phone call from Griffin on the last day, and had recorded a message of acceptance, which was played to the room. Apparently this was his second attempt to record his thanks, as the first was interrupted by a boozed-up Festival-goer. Ironically as Viede’s message played, there was some live disturbance directly outside the theatre, domestic disturbance on a Tuesday night in King’s Cross. Nevertheless, Viede’s message expressed his humble thanks, with many a laugh to be had.

It has to be said that the attendance at this year’s Griffin Award ceremony was disappointing. It took nearly an hour for people to turn up, and even then the atmosphere was quite small. Yes we all have jobs and it was on a ‘school night,’ but the reality is that the Griffin is a highly regarded Australian award, and it deserves the attention. Marchand fittingly noted the absence of one patron that would ordinarily have been there with bells on – Dr Rodney Seaborn. It will be interesting to see whether Whore will be programmed for the Griffin 2009 season. Last year’s winner Damien Miller was commissioned to write The Modern International Dead, which opens shortly. After being treated to a reading of the winning script, I can confidently say I would love to see it up as a full production.

The reading of Whore was directed by Griffin’s Literary Manager Christopher Hurrell, and performed by the effortless Robin McLeavy, Eamon Farren, Darren Weller and Christopher Stollery. The play’s pivot point is the central characters, two young prostitutes played by McLeavy and Farren. Amidst a chilling investigation into a series of murders that keep getting closer and closer, the characters play a dangerous game, seeking out and avoiding love. I was held for the duration of the play, engaged in the natural dialogue and some very clever monologues. The central characters were well fleshed out, whilst Stollery and Weller played a series of fleeting characters, momentary figures that helped uncover certain truths within their stories. My only major issue with the play was that I didn’t understand why it had to be set in London, as it could fittingly sit in Griffin’s heartland of King’s Cross.

In any case, Viede has a bright future now he has been given this significant nod by the Australian industry.