Opening night
Oil on Canvas, 125 x 93cm
It was opening night for “Song of the Lyrebirds” and the air was buzzing with excitement. The two tenors had just arrived for the rehearsals. They were spreading out their lyre-like feathers, warming up their voices in preparation for the repertoire of melodies. They stretched their legs and pranced about, warming up their leg muscles for the rhythmic dancing that added a flamboyant twist to their performance.
Ringtail Possum, the theatre usher, lay fast asleep on the yellow velvet chair. Ushering duties only started after dusk and suited her nocturnal nature perfectly.
Peacock, the theatre manager, had very high standards. Everything had to be spick and span. Strutting up the staircase, he was checking everything: from the gleaming banister to the freshly vacuumed carpet leading up the staircase. The white cockatoos eyed him warily as he made his way to inspect the dress circle upstairs. He was a difficult fellow, notorious for his pugnacious temperament. Even the loud squawks of the cockatoos paled in comparison with the peacock’s furious screams. Peacock’s ascend was slow and his gaze meticulous. From the breathtaking flower arrangements to the gleaming grand piano, nothing escaped his eyes. He nodded approvingly with a content glint in the eye.
They all sighed a breath of relief. Now at last the show could begin!