BWW Interviews: DELTA SIERRA JULIET Performer Tim Walker interviews Co-Creator Elliot Vella

Ahead of DELTA SIERRA JULIET's return season at 107 Projects in Redfern, performer Tim Walker interviews the play's co-creator Elliot Vella to gain an insight into the show about Reginald Taylor's obsession with the mystery of missing pilot Frederich Valentich.

1. What was it about the subject matter that interested you and made you write the play?

The way the process started was Darcy [Green] (the director and co-creator) came to Jackson [Used] and myself with the true story of Frederick Valentich's disappearance and said "I want a show about this, I'm interested in using headphones, and I want to scare people." That alone had me in. I'd never written anything before with the intention to scare the audience so I was on board from there, especially with the option of headphones to make it so much more cinematic. The aliens were an added bonus.

2. What do you think happened to Frederick Valentich?

I don't want to spoil anything, but my views are reflected in the play. Researching it was a really wild rabbit hole to go down and if anyone has a day off I'd strongly recommend googling Frederick Valentich and enjoying the weirder parts of the internet.

3. After Delta Sierra Juliet what's next? Is this the type of show you want to make in the future?

Next is a play about climate change. But yeah for sure, with how good this process was I'd love to do more 'spooky stuff'. You get to talk to other people you're working with about topics like aliens which always get a good chat going, then you get to talk to the audience after the show and people generally have pretty strong opinions on this stuff. It's fun.

4. If you had to call the play something else what would it be?

Either 'What Happened to Frederick Valentich?' or, if I was feeling spicy, 'Timothy Walker on Stage - An Absolute Dish of a Man'.

5. If you could sell the show in 15 words, what would they be?

True Story. Last words of a missing pilot. Aliens. New Australian Work. Delta Sierra Juliet.

https://107.org.au/event/delta-sierra-juliet/