In this episode, we explore the textured life and inspirations of Chris Pitman, a South Australian actor and playwright. Chris discusses the upcoming season of his one-man show "Shore Break," at the Adelaide Festival Centre. The play, inspired by his encounters with societal "isolates" along the coast, delves into the poignant narratives of those living on the edges of society. Chris reflects on his Adelaide roots, his formative years by the beach, and the pivotal moments that shaped his artistic journey. He recounts his acting break in Neil Armfield's "Cloudstreet" and shares insights from his extensive career, including working with actors like Max Cullen. The episode kicks off with the SA Drink of the Week, celebrating the Beresford Emblem Fiano 2023, a world-class wine that has clinched a 95-point Gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Our guest wine taster is John Gledhill of Gledhill Vignerons. In our Musical Pilgrimage, we feature Darkness & Gold by My Chérie, a song that mirrors the introspective themes of Chris's play, exploring the facades we present and the hidden struggles within. You can navigate episodes using chapter markers in your podcast app. Not a fan of one segment? You can click next to jump to the next chapter in the show. We're here to serve! The Adelaide Show Podcast: Awarded Silver for Best Interview Podcast in Australia at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and named as Finalist for Best News and Current Affairs Podcast in the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. And please consider becoming part of our podcast by joining our Inner Circle. It's an email list. Join it and you might get an email on a Sunday or Monday seeking question ideas, guest ideas and requests for other bits of feedback about YOUR podcast, The Adelaide Show. Email us directly and we'll add you to the list: podcast@theadelaideshow.com.au If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or other podcast sites, or buy some great merch from our Red Bubble store - The Adelaide Show Shop. We'd greatly appreciate it. And please talk about us and share our episodes on social media, it really helps build our community. Oh, and here's our index of all episode in one concisepage Running Sheet: Chris Pitman From Beaches To The Stage 00:00:00 Intro Introduction 00:02:45 SA Drink Of The Week The SA Drink Of The Week is Beresford Estate’s Beresford Emblem Fiano 2023, which has just received exceptional recognition at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, earning a 95-point Gold medal and ranking No.1 in this year's Fiano category, inaugurating it as the best Fiano in the world. As we discuss with our guest wine taster, John Gledhill of Gledhill Vignerons, this wine earned the same score as some of the country’s best $100 white wines yet sells for just $25; a feat John says is not unheard of but very special when it happens at such shows. In the discussion, we quote head winemaker, Chris Dix, discussing the remarkable growth of Fiano in McLaren Vale, since the Lloyd family planted the first Fiano vine 22 years ago. The Beresford Emblem Fiano 2023 is available through the Beresford cellar door - the Beresford Tasting Pavilion in McLaren Vale. 00:15:45 Chris Pitman Brink Productions will soon be presenting, Shore Break, as part of State Theatre’s Stateside season in the Space Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre from 3 – 7 September. I’m told this play is an interesting one man show written and performed by Chris Pitman, about a man on the outskirts of society who is finding his way back. To make this play possible, Chris did some detailed research in campgrounds in the regions, along the coast talking to a number of outliers / “isolates” about their stories, and how they found themselves in their situations. It is from these stories that he derived inspiration for his play.You grew up in Adelaide, attracted to the beach. Can you start by painting a picture of Adelaide and South Australia as you remembered it back then? Anything you miss, anything you’re glad has changed? Did you hang out with lots of friends, or was there an essence of the “isolate” in you back then? I note that you are a poster child for Steve Jobs’ famous quip – Just Ship It. Took you a few years to apply for acting school, but when you did actually send a letter to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), you got accepted. Does an academy like that actually instil acting ability into you, or does it nurture what is already inside? I note your first major break was auditioning for Neil Armfield for a major role in Tim Winton’s ‘Cloudstreet’, and you “somehow” got the job, moved to Sydney and suddenly started working with many famous and respected actors including, former guest of this podcast, Max Cullen. He was on episode 265, talking about Sunday Too Far Away, which was shot in South Australia. Did any Max Cullen rub off on you (or any of the actors) as you travelled ...
