In Conversation with Gabrielle Wilson – Gabby Goes To Hollywood
In this edition of In Conversation, we shine a light on Gabby Goes To Hollywood, a new cabaret performance by Gabrielle Wilson, premiering at The Blue Room Theatre from 25 August – 5 September. From the doctor’s office straight to the stage comes this clinical cabaret unveiling one woman’s journey of attempted stardom. In stilettos and a straitjacket, witness Gabby in all her gaudy glory as she takes us through her tale of both sanity and the spotlight, of both music and the madness. We caught up with Gabrielle Wilson to dive into the creative process behind the work and what audiences can expect from this thrilling new production.
What motivated you to apply to be part of The Blue Room Theatre’s 2026 season, and what drew you to this project?
I actually applied for the 600 Seconds Menagerie program and instead was offered a last minute annual season slot. Cue excitement/joy/panic. I mean it only took three years to write 30 minutes, so four months seemed a reasonable
amount of time to do the rest. I swear it’s mostly done now (I have til August 25 right?).
I don’t think I was drawn to this project, I think it was drawn to me. What’s that old adage? If you put an actor in the psych ward, there’s a one woman show coming out of it. I went three times in one year but I’m not sure what that gets you. I should seriously look into that.
How has the creative journey been so far, from concept development to rehearsals?
One night in 2023, when I was about to go into in-patient psychiatric care for the first time, I manically chain-smoked and drank a bottle of red wine and wrote a massive diary entry about how depressed I was. Thanks to Fresh Ink mentor Chris Isaacs’ patience, it evolved into half a something.
It sat for three years untouched until The Blue Room Theatre offered me a spot, so I quickly smashed together a script that is definitely finished. I then very narcissistically made myself the performer and director and co-producer. So now rehearsals consist of me talking to a blank wall for hours on end three days a week. It’s awesome.
How has the collaboration with your cast, crew, and creatives shaped the work and your vision for it?
It’s amazing how you can send people an idea and a Pinterest board and they can just create what you didn’t even know you needed. Everyone has taken my poorly articulated vision and applied their genius and now it’s more than I ever dreamed. They’ve taught me things about my own story that I’d never considered before and then somehow articulated them creatively. It’s mind-boggling. Gabby might be going to Hollywood but this team is headed for so much more.
As you move closer to opening, what are you most excited, or even nervous, about sharing with audiences?
I’m coming to realise it’s a pretty daunting task to stand on a stage and talk about your life to 40 people, but it’s also thrilling. I get to tell my story my way, with lights and costume and music and a whole team behind me, so it feels like I’m gaining some autonomy over my illness. It’s quite empowering; whilst I’m making jokes that might not be for everyone, they are based on my lived experience so I get to make them, if that makes sense. It’s about time we had something for crazies by crazies.
What is your show bringing to the Perth arts scene, and what do you think would help strengthen the local arts ecosystem?
We’re filling a real gap in the market for feather ruffling one-woman autobiographical stand-up cabaret tragicomedies. I think Perth is seriously missing some feather ruffling, so obviously we’re making a work that unapologetically deconstructs stigma and dives head-first into the taboo. If we bring controversy we’re doing something right, even if it’s to our detriment.
That’s a serious problem with the local ecosystem: funding bodies don’t see the value in supporting projects that don’t have guaranteed returns. People simply can’t afford to take risks anymore. No seriously, this show has crippled me financially. So that’s what we need. Money.
Image by Isabel Turner