Tweed Regional Gallery will host the legendary theatre director, composer and actor Terence Clarke for an exclusive performance of ‘An Evening with Donald Friend’ next month.
The one-man show captures the essence of Donald Friend, the man and the artist, and reveals incidents of Friend’s exotic and colourful life.
Donald Friend (1915–1989) was a painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, illustrator, decorator and writer.
The play, devised by art historian, publisher and friend of the artist Lou Klepac OAM, narrates stories selected from the 44 extraordinary diaries written by Donald Friend and now held in the National Library’s collection.
The diaries represent the personal vision of an important Australian artist, and also document Australian culture from the 1930s to the 1980s through his eyes. His writing is humorous, caustic and incisive.
President of the Friends of the Gallery, Lyn Stewart, said it was ‘a coup to welcome this renowned thespian to the Tweed, we are thrilled to be hosting this event and it’s the first time we’ve held a play in the gallery’.
‘An Evening with Donald Friend’ is being presented to coincide with the exhibition The Mystery of Things: Margaret Olley and David Strachan, on display in the Margaret Olley Art Centre until 7 August.
Donald Friend was a contemporary and close friend to both Margaret Olley and David Strachan.
The one-night only event on Saturday 25 June from 6pm-8pm is presented as a special fundraiser by the Friends of Tweeed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre.
Tickets are limited and on sale now (Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4.30pm, phone 02 6670 2790) at $50 per person or $45 for a Friend of the Gallery or Gallery Foundation member.
Light refreshments will be served from 6pm until 6.25pm
