By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
ACTING out your life’s “rock bottom” in front of a theatre packed with strangers – that’s what recovering gambler Paul Fung calls “therapy”.
Fung and four other actors dramatise their addictions to ‘the punt’ in Two Sides of the Coin – a one-off production at Walker Street Gallery next month.
Fung is “excited and nervous” about his theatrical debut yet in some ways his life had been somewhat of an act.
He had become consumed by gambling – “casinos, horses, card games, mahjong” – seemingly every game of chance except pokies.
He borrowed and lost others’ money, at a rate greater than he was earning. He guesses about $1000 a week.
His losses included his and his brother’s house and more significantly a “huge” ensuing family breakdown.
“It’s a big moment of my life, when I’m at my rock bottom. But something had to drastically happen before it became an issue.”
But his story takes a hopeful arc from chaos through to turning a new leaf and “finding that connection with yourself”.
As Fung recovers, he lives in “shed accommodation”,is reconnecting with his family and heads a Chinese problem gamblers support group.
He describes the dramatic workshopping of his story as “confronting”. He’s discovering the “deeper issues” behind his addiction and trying to find closure.
“People connect problem gambling with money but it’s not the real issue. It’s the emotional side.
“The gambler is just another person.”
Director Catherine Simmonds admires the “incredible courage” of Fung and the other performers who climbed out after hitting the lowest points of their lives.
the collage of stories had universal relevance.
“Why do they gamble? If it was just about money, why didn’t they walk away when they won? Why did they stay there ’til they lost?”
A Q&A session with Fung and Simmonds will follow the performance.
The show is federally-funded and part of MonashLink’s ‘More Than A Gambler’ project.
Two Sides of the Coin is at Walker Street Gallery, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong on 7 October at 2pm. It is free but bookings are ssential. Details: Judy 9564 6137 or javisar@monashlink.org.au
