Is there some PTSD component to that phrase popping into my head when I’m feeling overwhelmed? Something to do with the crushing of childhood innocence as grimfaced parents require you to smile-like-you-mean-it-or-you’re-gonna-GET-IT-AFTERWARD whilst performing biblical re-enactments of the Sermon on the Mount or the Parting of the Red Sea or the Storming of Some Godless Kingdom, perhaps?

Yes, things got a bit busy in December. Instead of putting it off and promising to give you a full report that – to be brutally honest – I’m unlikely to have time to do, here’s a quick recap.

END OF YEAR GIG

Also known in The Inner Circle as “The Rebirth of Jukebox”.

Banana Boat’s Christmas Jukebox shindig went off fabulously with JAMES NOKISE not only MCing the evening but having an acting piece in each short play. Despite numerous hints from Mr Nokise to rename the night “The James Nokise Festival”, management reserves the right to name the event depending on their sponsorship, general humour and level of hunger at time of decision. This is not to rule out the possibility of an award in Mr Nokise’s name in future. Enough attempts at humour.

ERIC SMITH’s piece – which was read in an April meeting – went over well, and was a tremendous learning experience for him from writing, rehearsing, directing and producing it ALL ON HIS OWN.

MICHELLE JOHANNSON’s piece, directed by JENNI HEKA, showed how an inspired script – which was read in a September meeting – could leap off the page and poke you in the eye.

And ARNETTE ARAPAI’s piece brought the house down in – what I presume is – true Niuean style.

Malo le fa’auli, Banana Boat writers. Let’s see some more.

NEXT MEETING

Yes, there is a meeting this month: THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2010, usual time and place.