Sally Davies is a theatre maker and writer based in Perth. In 2018, she co-founded independent theatre Lindstedt & Davies, which has since produced several original works. Sally most recently performed as part of 600 Seconds at the Blue Room Theatre, and is preparing for upcoming work Ugly Virgins. Sally writes about the changes affecting people who work in the arts, new things she’s discovered whilst social distancing and muses about the long term impacts of isolation on people’s lifestyles.

COVID-19 Journal Entry #5: Sally Davies

CREATE 

I keep thinking, how soon will it be before we’re watching plays about life in quarantine? How long until Netflix releases a docuseries or rom-com? How will the YA post-apocalypse novels put their own spin on this one? Will this bring a deeper understanding to what’s happened or will there be a lot of navel gazing?

Like pretty much everyone working in the arts, I have found myself with a very empty schedule. The shows, rehearsals, and production meetings have been replaced by a lot of time at home reading articles about the future of the industry. I’ve found it nearly impossible to invest time and energy in creative projects. The uncertain future and recent funding cuts has made the pathway of an artist even more unstable. 

At the same time, isolation has been a blessing. I am lucky enough to be in a safe and comforting house, with a job that is still giving me hours. And to live in a world without deadlines! To be able to spend time writing without an application looming or an upcoming rehearsal process is a unique experience.

CONSUME 

Like everyone else, I can’t stop thinking about Joe Exotic. That redneck criminal has captivated Netflix viewers everywhere and I’m haunted by him. How do people like that exist in the same world as you or I?

After Tiger King was over in a few short episodes, I’ve spent my days indulging in The X-Files. I don’t know why Americans make so many episodes a season (twenty four! Don’t these people have families?) but I’m so glad they do. Without the daily comfort of Mulder and Scully investigating aliens I think I would have sunk into despair.

Besides devouring the adventures of those charming paranormal investigators, I also find myself using my oven at a rate never seen before.  Baked goods that would ordinarily be shared with mates are going straight to me, and I will be very surprised if I leave self-isolation the same dress size I entered it.

Online, I find deeper understanding in well-written and articulate articles about our situation. I appreciate the time and effort the writers have put in and I eagerly await the day I am both interesting and clever enough to make sense of my thoughts about this time and my own existence.

TO-DO 

When we were no longer able to go to brunch I wrote up a to-do list of things I wanted to get done while I was at home. Time to clean my shower! No time like the present to get rid of some old clothes.

For at least a couple of years my bookcase has stood awkwardly next to my bed, in a space that would be much better suited for a set of drawers. So I finally moved it to beside my door (definitely took less than ten minutes and I don’t know why I put it off for so long).  

I ticked off the task, triumphant and sitting down for some well-deserved episodes of Tiger King. Only when I went to go to bed that night did I realise I’d put my bookcase in front of my light switch. I took out a couple of books to reach the switch, and then had to put them back in the dark.

BE STILL 

I am amazed by the things that are happening on the streets of my usually quiet suburb. Neighbours I’ve never seen have ventured out from their houses. I didn’t know so many people owned bikes but the cyclists seem to have appeared like something biblical, the swarm of locusts descending on Egypt.

People have picked up new hobbies. My Duolingo streak is going strong. Via social media, I see my friends learning new instruments and spending time knitting and painting. The world is embracing online shopping like never before. Strangely, someone has tried to hack my Pinterest account. 

I can’t help but think what it would be like if we always had this amount of free time. Would we all be better, more cultured, well-rounded people? Or is this a short burst that would inevitably cause more trouble down the line, like adding an extra lane to the freeway?

FRIENDS & FAMILY

I desperately miss having acquaintances. As much as I’ve enjoyed video chatting my friends and keeping up with each other’s day to day lives via Facebook messenger, I’m really missing the run-ins you have with people at the train station. The people you only see at parties but always have good chats with. The post-show discussion with fellow audience members in the Blue Room. Trying to make awkward conversation with your friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend.

There’s so many people in the awkward zone of ‘I like talking to you but when I open your profile to chat we have absolutely no previous messages’. Which is to say- if you’re reading this and wondering if I want to talk- I do!