Who is little Egil?
I am a proud Vanuatu native from the island of Pentcost, located in the north of Vanuatu. I come from a family of ten and I have six sisters, three brothers and 26 nephews and nieces. Since early 2020, my wife and I have been living in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.
Prior to coming to Australia, from 2011 to 2019, I was a member of the Vance Mobau Theatre in Vanuatu Core Performance Troupe, where I produced, performed and toured plays, films, seminars and educational training for the theatre throughout the year to serve Vanuatu people.
How is the job you're doing differently now?
As part of the Australian Slingsby Flying Tour, I love what I'm doing now, and while my contract expires this year, I hope this won't be the last time I'll perform for an audience. I'm curious to know where this acting path leads and what new opportunities lie ahead.
At the Vance Mobao Theatre, most of my work is between theatre and film, both in front of and behind the camera, as part of a crew. It would be great to have the experience of filming in Australia.
Who inspired you and why?
Ever since I came to this earth, I have been inspired by my parents. Sadly, they are no longer alive, but their teachings and what they gave me will stay with me forever.
My "Tata" (father in our language) is one of those you can't miss, he was very influential. If he is present, there is always laughter, and he brings joy and happiness to those around him. He is loving and caring, but also an outspoken person. He speaks for those who don't have a voice. He stood up for his family, for his community, and always stood up for the right thing, even if it meant loneliness.
My "Amu" (mother in our language) is full of love and care. No matter how little we have, she will share. We have a large family and life is not always easy.
I have a memory that I will never forget - Amu had two small stews and she used to cook for us. Every day she managed to feed 10 of us until we were full, but somehow there were always leftovers...
Those two little saucepans are still at my eldest sister's house. Without Amu, we tried to cook for the whole family, but we never could cook food for more than three or four people.
Tata is the main breadwinner of our family, but his job means he travels a lot and is rarely at home. Amu has incredible strength and patience to bring our family of 10 together, often single-handedly doing housework.
Amu's power I have never seen in anyone else. Another quality I admire about my Amu is that she knows all of Tata's weaknesses, but will never use them against him. No matter what happened, she would wait for him.
What would you do to change the world?
I will learn more. I want to learn more about other cultures, better understand their customs, religions, languages, lifestyles and ways of doing things, and better understand how the world works outside of my comfort zone.
If I understand better, then I can lend a helping hand when I need it. I believe that the world will be a better place if we understand and accept each other's differences more.
What is your favorite holiday destination and why?
My favorite holiday destination is Vanuatu. It's my homeland, just go back and reconnect and recharge. One of my favorite things is sitting next to the clear sea and thinking. There is no traffic noise, peace and quiet.
I can think quietly alone, just listening to the distant birds, dogs barking, chicken songs, human voices... In the afternoon, as the fire was lit, cooking smoke was rising, and the family was preparing dinner, I was comforted by the voices and laughter of my nephew and niece.
When friends come to see you, what attractions do you take them to and why?
If friends come to visit us in Adelaide, I entertain them: share a delicious meal at home with my Adelaide family. Drive to Mipenga Reservoir. Swim at Veyrunga Port Beach. Dine at my brother's Jimis restaurant in Claver (Adelaide Hills) and taste the best pizza in Adelaide.
If friends come to Vanuatu to see us, I entertain them: visit the markets in Port Vila, eat hot "touluk" (a super delicious handmade traditional meat and onion-filled cassava bun, wrapped in coconut leaves and baked in hot stones), drink fresh sweet green coconut. Travel around the island of Efate, stopping at many country road markets to buy fruit and local food. Swim at Eaton Beach. For the brave, before the sun goes down, drink Vancerkava (a kava bar).
What are you currently reading?
Apart from reading scripts, I don't know much about reading. I watched a lot of documentaries and videos on TikTok. Right now, I'm watching a series of documentaries about current developments in Dubai and around the world. I love David Attenborough's films, and I often watch his Star Wars films to help me sleep.
What are you listening to now?
I always listen to music. I love listening to any type of music, but my favorite is reggae. Now spinning at high speed are Krasrut, Blada Cloud, and Stan and Earth Force – all wonderful Vanuatu artists, go check them out!
What is happiness as you understand it?
Happiness starts from within. I am happiest when I see the people I love and those around me happy.
What does your future hold?
The future is a mystery, so I'm happy to let that mystery unfold naturally. I am always ready to adapt and respond to whatever is presented to me.
Australian dramatist Susie Keane is optimistic about "The Uphill River": After listening to Vanuatu and the perfect storyteller Egil Jr. tell first-hand about his experience of being ravaged by Cyclone Pam in the South Pacific in 2015, the Slingsby Theatre Flying Tour is expected to be a local highlight of this year's Adelaide Festival. Based on Egil's story, and incorporating Slingsby's renowned theatrical techniques – including shadow and light shows, live music and 3D miniature worlds – it promises to take audiences to the heart of the storm, but ultimately brings "a piece of hope".
Little Egil's performance can be seen in the stage play Uphill River produced by Slingsby Theatre in Australia, which will be staged at the Space Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre from 1 to 6 March as part of the 2023 Adelaide Arts Festival.
Little Egil
Source: Vanuatu Travel Official Account
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