Ironically I am in conversation with the delightful Simone Page Jones, about her upcoming visit to Tasmanian Theatre Royal where she will perform in ‘Delectable Shelter’, and she tells me that she has only recently visited Tasmania for the first time.
Simone was in Tasmania to take part in Dark MOFO and was energised by the ecstatic interaction of the crowd to her impromptu appearance as a Russian diva upon a table at the feast festival. Simone also sang an aria in an old cinema and such was the impact of her visit she cried when returning on the plane. “Never”, she said has she seen as she did in Tasmania, such engagement in emotion by a crowd.
Simone says she adores the festival’s creation of inspiration and warmth in the dark of winter and although she will miss the festival on her return she philosophically says although she will miss the festival at least the mountains are permanent installations!
The play portrays a scenario where a rich family and a scientist are required to seek shelter for a number of years while the world has gone through an apocalypse.
In ‘Delectable Shelter’ Simone plays Malory, part of a wealthy family. Malory has married into the family and is therefore more an outside observer who has empathy and understanding, unlike the family she has married into.
The play is a comedy and has quirks. Simone calls it a mixture of Monty python and a choir. This mixture of comedy and music, which parodies 80s music’s, says Simone’ strong men singing soppy lyrics’ about ‘eagles’ and mountains’.
Simone Page Jones, is the double threat in that she can both act and sing, is keen to return to Tasmania for more of its emotive audiences, cheese, wine and people and says enthusiastically she wants to attend ‘every festival in Tasmania for all her days’.
You can see Simone in ‘Delectable Shelter’ at the Theatre Royal on Friday, 12th and 13th of July at 8pm.
Paula Xiberras
