– AN EXCLUSIVE UPDATE FROM STEPHEN, 25 MARCH 2025 –

In early 2025, we began a second stage development for the adaptation of Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli’s AIDS memoir, Someone You Know with incomparable SA actors Elena Carapetis and Nic English who joined playwright Anthony Nocera and me to bring this true story to life. The process of turning Maria’s deeply personal novel into a stage work has been one of the most creatively satisfying experiences of my career and that is due to the soulfulness of this group of incredible theatre artists and their courageous approach to the material. Their ability to relate, dissect and connect to Maria and her best friend John’s story of loss has been utterly inspiring. So much so that it has shifted something in me as a director and theatre maker. Its cosmic, getting to convene with the ghosts of queer history, working in the space of grief, of forgotten stories, death and multicultural exchange. There is an unprecedented spiritual connection to the material, that goes beyond any adaptation I have tackled before. It is about bringing not only their story to life but the energy and cultural impact of the time.

It is a vulnerable task to tap into this as a group, and one you can only tackle with those willing to make art full of heart, who are unafraid to weep and laugh and shout together. This is what we had. Added to this alchemy, was the author coming into the development room at the Brink office, sharing photographs and letters from her dear-departed friend – artefacts of their lives, placed on a table for us to witness and digest.

The letters will always stay with me. Every lunch break I would inspect them for clues about the AIDS virus and this man’s voice. Like a detective piecing together a life. Seeing John’s handwritten stories about his struggle with the disease – written with humour and painful bluntness- really changed my position on how we would approach this story. It gave me permission to laugh, even though the circumstances are so tragic.

There is something eye opening about witnessing a true account on the page- match that with photos of this man and his bestie over the course of ten years and you realise the gravity of your obligation to creatively honour their life, their story and what happened to them.

It was a unique experience. Something I never thought I would have the chance to do. And it really has made me so thrilled to do something so soaked in truth, honesty, and pain – and bring it to the stage as soon as I possibly can.

SN xxx