Who is Christapor Yaacoubian?
I am one of the co-founders of Limelight Department Theatre Company. Having spent most of my life as an actor, I am now fully focused on improving my voice as a writer/director. Meurants Lane is both my writing and directorial debut.
I’m the first in my family born in Australia. My folks escaped the war in Lebanon in search of a better life in Australia, ironically, their grandparents escaped the Armenian Genocide to Lebanon in search of that same better life.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Get sober earlier, remain sober longer, and never take my Godfather for granted.
Who inspires you and why?
Sadly, a lot of my creative inspiration comes from a dark place, which can easily consume me. So I counteract this with developing my physical health. The darkness allows me to get ideas down on the page, while the physical health helps me focus and shape my narratives, it’s a delicate balance that I haven’t quite mastered yet.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Get out of the way. I’m wrong way more than I’m right, so the greatest difference I can make is by focusing on myself and hopefully then I can leave the world having not made it worse.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Sydney. I love going back and seeing my family. I have way too many nieces and nephews, while not having enough days in a year. Then throw in the mix my lifelong friends who I consider family, and that’s a recipe for an incredible holiday regardless of the timeframe.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
My couch. Something I’ve learnt from my time living abroad and through various travels is that the destination doesn’t matter as much as the people with whom you experience it.
What are you currently reading?
Boring answer: Meurants Lane. We’re in the midst of rehearsals, and I cannot afford to read for leisure. But on my night stand I’ve got: Regiopolis – Hayden Hayes, and Down with the System – Serj Tankian
What are you currently listening to?
Heaven X Hell – Sum 41. Though I have to state that I’m beyond mildly annoyed at Sum 41 (*cough* Derryck) for not touring Australia. While I was living in Vancouver, they kept skipping Vancouver and they toured Australia. Now I’m in Australia, they’re touring Vancouver, and skipping Australia – I’m taking this as a personal insult.
Happiness is?
A long drive towards the moonlight, with the city lights in the rear view mirror, and an album playing from cover to cover.
What does the future hold for you?
The cast of Meurants Lane – Michael, Sorab and Jeremy have been incredible to work with throughout this rehearsal process and it’s been a real privilege to bring to life these characters and the world they inhabit alongside the boys in the cast.
With that in mind, I’d love the chance to bring this to my hometown and play it for a Sydney audience. Belvoir would be the ideal home for this production, since Belvoir is where I first fell in love with theatre as a high school student watching Geoffrey Rush in a production of Exit the King.
A film version of Meurants Lane is in the early stages of development, while my animated short, After Kong, which is about an obsessive-compulsive accountant suffering from PTSD after witnessing the murder of King Kong, will be produced sometime this year under my film production banner, wontbetold productions.
Christapor is the writer & director of Meurants Lane – which will be presented by Limelight Department Theatre Company at La Mama HQ from 21 May – 2 June 2024. For more information, visit: www.lamama.com.au for details.
Image: Christapor Yaacoubian (supplied)