Want intimate conversations with strangers in the night? Walk this way

A man about to have his leg amputated. A new father singing to his four-day-old baby. A jet-lagged aid worker fresh back from Yemen. A woman, the night her mum died, wanting to thank the nurses for their care. These were among the callers to The Nightline, a unique audio-theatre project created by Roslyn Oades with sound artist Bob Scott, set to open at the Malthouse Theatre next week. The show invites audiences to engage with recorded messages from people who spend their nights in solitude, offering glimpses into their lives through the medium of rotary dial telephones and immersive soundscapes. Each audience member receives a vintage rotary phone and a metal panel with eight channels, reminiscent of an old-fashioned phone operator’s switchboard. This setup allows participants to navigate between different calls, choosing their own path through the stories shared by anonymous callers. Roslyn Oades explains that the design encourages a sense of intimacy and spontaneity, allowing individuals to disconnect from one conversation and connect with another at will. She emphasizes that the physical form of the rotary phone, its curved handle and earpiece, creates a more focused and attentive listening experience compared to modern smartphones. In addition to the personal narratives conveyed through the phone lines, the performance incorporates layers of ambient sound crafted by Bob Scott. These include clusters of voices announcing the time of night, deep sighs and laughter, and the distant rumble of a storm approaching. Such elements enhance the atmosphere, drawing listeners deeper into the nocturnal world of the participants. Oades describes the night as a distinct realm, one she has long explored due to her own struggles with insomnia and a tendency to become a night owl. She recalls walking alone at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., observing the sparse glow of city lights, likening them to lighthouses scattered across the urban landscape. Oades conceived The Nightline after wondering about the lives of others who remained awake during the hours when most people are asleep. She began capturing these moments by establishing a dedicated phone line and promoting the project through late-night radio programs. Over the past eight years, she has received hundreds of messages from people across Australia and even in Quebec, where some contributors chose to speak in French. Despite occasional interruptions, such as a break in production, she continues to look forward to new submissions each morning. The Melbourne version of The Nightline has taken nearly six years to reach its current stage. Initially commissioned by the Rising arts festival in 2021, the show, and the entire festival, was abruptly cancelled on its opening night. However, the project persisted, eventually touring major festivals including the Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Bleach Festival on the Gold Coast, and in Canada. The collected messages number well over 1000, reflecting the diverse range of human experiences that unfold in the quiet hours. Oades highlights the significance of anonymity and the late-hour setting in fostering openness and authenticity. She notes that the act of leaving a message under the cover of darkness creates a sense of safety and trust, enabling participants to share deeply personal stories. The project's ethos is rooted in the belief that the knowledge of being heard is powerful, and that the experience of connecting with strangers in this way offers a rare and meaningful form of connection.