Sylvia Sippl’s play I Owe My Parents $65,000 should strike a chord in parents everywhere.
Andrew Ritchie         www.communitypix.com.au   d448669
Camera IconSylvia Sippl’s play I Owe My Parents $65,000 should strike a chord in parents everywhere. Andrew Ritchie        www.communitypix.com.au d448669 Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie        www.communitypix.com.au d448669

Counting the cost of all those notes

Rosanna CandlerStirling Times

Now her one-woman Fringe World show I Owe My Parents $65,000 will serve as proof that every cent was worth it.

The Scarborough performer, musician and artist said she felt like parts of her life had come full circle at age 25.

“Since I have been teaching music and art myself, I have found myself reflecting back on what led me there and all the sacrifices my parents had to make,” the Subiaco-based WA Performance School manager said.

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“When you’re doing what you want to do for the rest of your life, you start reflecting on all the little things that brought you there. Everyone has a weird little journey story.”

Sippl said she hoped that anyone who learnt – or encouraged their child to learn – a musical instrument would relate to I Owe My Parents $65,000.

“I started doing group music lessons when I was three years old and never stopped, it just sort of snowballed,” she said.

“Music has always been a really big part of my life, which is a relief because I’m no good at sport.

“I tried gymnastics for one term and I was scared of the beam and my leotard gave me a wedgie. So really, music and art was my only option.”

Sippl said she would keep her violin, keyboards, guitar and piano accordion close by during the performance “just so I don’t ramble too much”.

“My mum is actually my roadie; she will be pressing ‘next’ on the laptop during my PowerPoint presentation,” she said.

“You may even be lucky enough to see a real-life, authentic argument between us on stage.

“But there is a happy ending, which is that despite all the arguments and all the money and hard work and sacrifices, it was all worth it.”