Lighthouses of Australia Inc

The Keeper - A new play by Chrissie Shaw

by Denise Shultz

LoA member and theatre performer Chrissie Shaw, together with director Penelope Bartlau has created a new play, inspired by real life experience at a remote Tasmanian lighthouse.

Frank McKone wrote a review in Canberra Times on March 3rd.

Chrissie Shaw, with engaging, gentle charm, tells the story of Connie, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, and of life long ago, before the advent of automated lighthouses along the rugged, inhospitable coastline.

The Keeper, based on true accounts of lighthouse keepers’ lives and woven into a composite tale of hardship, danger, and fearful gothic imaginings, casts light upon this time, charting the lives of those who chose to live in remote outposts along the coast. 

In less than an hour, through song, storytelling and the magical art of puppetry of objects, Shaw traces Connie’s life from childhood to boarding school, to her eventual violent marriage and her return to a lighthouse as lighthouse keeper’s wife, and finally her time with her elder sister, Dolly.

A graduate of Peter Wilson’s master of Puppetry course at the Victorian College of the Arts, director Penelope Bartlau, assisted by designer Imogen Keen, breathes unique life and atmosphere into the inanimate. In the world of a child at play anything is possible, and Shaw, Bartlau and Keen, through their skilful illusory art, convincingly create the reality of that bygone era.

Under Bartlau’s direction, Shaw reveals herself as a captivating and unassuming storyteller, weaving narrative and instruction together to reveal the lighthouse keeper’s life. Appealing to young and old alike, The Keeper is a poignant reminder of the courage and endurance of the lighthouse pioneers. 

The play premiered on February 27 in Canberra’s Street Theatre. Chrissie is keen to tour other capital cities and would love to do a performance at a suitable lightstation during International Lighthouse Day on August 16-17. 

People interested in having a tour, can phone Chrissie on 02 6247 2015, or 0407 079 748, or e-mail her at chrissieshaw@apex.net.au