CENTRE STAGE Alan Davies

Photo courtesy of Newport Fiddle & Folk Club.

In his trusty orange and yellow striped shoulder bag Alan Davies carries all sorts of things: batteries* of various sizes, torches of differing types, folders, pens, paper, a laptop, USB sticks, string, scissors, tapes of various colours…and, metaphorically, many years of expertise onstage, sidestage in the wings, and backstage.

As our shows in Williamstown grew (bigger band, larger audiences) we realised we needed a top-class stage manager, a multi-skilled expert who understood our shows’ nuances. A person who could simultaneously see the bigger picture, and the finer details. A person quick to see and solve a situation.

Alan Davies joined us in 2019. Stereo Stories knew him via his several roles with the Newport Fiddle & Folk Club, but he has extensive theatre experience too, including designing and operating the lighting for Melbourne Playback Theatre since late 1998.

“In the words of the biz, Alan is a triple threat: musician, stage manager, choir leader,” said cellist Laura Sheridan.“But that is only the beginning. Add Folk Club convener, actor, and celebrant to name a few more skills.

“When it comes to our show, Alan works steadfastly behind the scenes to help others shine. He is incredibly patient, resourceful, and supportive to all who know and treasure him. His respect and interest in the people around him is boundless and heart-felt. We are blessed to have him on the team.”

Alan’s brief includes working closely with Andy Griffiths, ensuring Andy’s slide-show runs perfectly in tandem with Andy’s narration of the story, and the band’s playing of the music. Last year more than 40 images of dogs – yes, dogs – accompanied Andy’s story about Love Her Madly by The Doors. In 2023 Alan synchronized surfing images and video footage for Andy’s story based on the G.Wayne Thomas song Into the Blue.

Photo by Eric Algra.

“I’m always both impressed by — and very grateful for — Alan’s calm backstage presence and ability to keep all the moving parts of the show working together without a hitch,” said Andy.

Guitarist and singer David Barton glimpses Alan in the wings from his position on stage.

“Alan glues the show together,” said David. “He knows who needs to be where and when, and works tirelessly so that they are there, then. He makes people feel at ease, and his preparation and hard work off-stage allows the show to flow, and the people on stage to relax and entertain. Plus, he’s the only person who can match the slide-show changes to Andy’s gambolling cadence!”

For ten years Alan has been part of the Paisley and Plaid trio, with Steph Payne and Georgie Sinha. They, as their website says, ‘sing about the big things of life – love, risk, justice and beauty, and about the small things – hanging out the washing, wayward supermarket trolleys, reading books, and how to make chai tea.’

As well as the annual Williamstown gigs, Alan has generously found time to be onboard for shows in Queenscliff (2023 and 2024) and Tempo Rubato (2024). For the first Queenscliff gig he was awaiting news of the birth of his twin grandchildren. For the Tempo Rubato gig last November he rushed from Footscray, where he had been acting in an afternoon show at Kindred Studios, to Brunswick.

“Alan is the reassuring presence that keeps the good ship Stereo Stories steady and (somewhat) calm before a concert, “said singer Martina Medica. “He is an essential – and very valued – part of who we are and what we do.”

“Amongst his many tasks – none of which we take for granted – Alan wrangles us backstage to remove us from the food and drink and chat to have us on time and ready for performance,” noted multi-instrumentalist David Oke. “At our end of year barbecue a few months ago he brought along his guitar and led the jam, while the rest of us were curiously shy!”

Singer and fellow folk club member Chris Phillips said: “Alan has that perfectly balanced knack of bringing a mood of friendliness and ease to a thoroughly professional attitude, so we can all relax into the confidence he has in what he is doing and what we are supposed to be doing. He will most certainly let us know if we are not on the right place at the right time – in the nicest possible way!

“His many skills and his lovely manner make him a one in a million match for us.”

Thank you, Alan.

*Alan stores his spare batteries in his fridge. “They keep longer that way,” he said recently.

Alan will be a narrator in Sons of Williamstown, Letters from the Front at Williamstown Town Hall on Thursday 24 April, 4pm to 6pm.