Who is Danny Delahunty?
Founding member and artistic director of Attic Erratic, with a wide selection of metaphorical and physical hats to my name. I started out as a theatre director, and as an emerging artist discovered that the surest way to get work out there is to produce it yourself. Seven years later and through forced diversifying of skills I now work broadly as a creative producer, festival and events manager, casting director and theatre maker. I previously worked in corporate law, and not a day goes by that I don’t celebrate getting out of that industry and into this one.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would be choreographer. I have only recently discovered a real love of movement work, and am so in awe of the kind of emotional narrative you get from a great contemporary dance piece. It’s never too late to start learning though!
Who inspires you and why?
Anyone who has been working in the arts in Melbourne for several decades or more – the perseverance and belief in the worth of this industry must be so strong to not become bitter and fed-up with the industry.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Anything that encourages stimulation of thought – starting with better and broader access to formal education, and extending to anything I can do that invigorates reflection of one’s self and broader social constructs. So many issues in the world are exacerbated by people being stuck in their ways. If I could make a difference in the world? Help provide people with the tools to think, then reflect, then act; because the other way around only causes problems of every scale.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
India – the cultural differences within that country are so pronounced, yet on a whole so harmonious that I am floored by our own country’s inability to embrace true multiculturalism. Also: the food, the ruins, the beaches, the jungles, the mountains, the food, the boulders, the palaces, the food, the mosques, the forts, the temples, the sprawling cities, the frescoes, the art, the food, the stories, the people and the food.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Melbourne itself. Bars, cafes, restaurants and some indie theatre if there is anything on.
What are you currently reading?
Ha, a guilty pleasure – it’s called Dust of Dreams which is the ninth book in a high fantasy series called the Malazan Book of the Fallen. I started the series when I googled “what to read while you’re waiting for the next Song of Ice and Fire book to be written” and fell in love with the politics and the world created in the series.
What are you currently listening to?
Most recent album played is Album of the Year by Faith No More. I was walking past some crew building something at Fed Square the other day and they were listening to FNM and I thought, damn, I haven’t given them a good listening for years!
Happiness is?
Taking a moment to pause, reflect and smile at what you’ve just done.
What does the future hold for you?
Warmth, friendship, work and love.
Danny is directing the world premiere season of Fleur Kilpatrick’s Blessed at The Tower – The Coopers Malthouse: 8 – 20 November 2016, as part of the Poppy Seed Theatre Festival. For more information, visit: www.poppyseedfestival.com or www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Danny Delahunty (supplied)