Episode 7
Negotiations
This piano solo captures a child’s shattered sense of self trying to make sense of abuse that was blamed on her. Beginning with the innocence of early childhood the music quickly fractures into chaotic internal arguments “How can I be better so it stops” only to dissolve into confusion and self-doubt as her mother and brother insisted the abuse was her fault. At 22 a turning point she finally tells her father who responds with quiet love and validation the first she’s ever known. But old wounds and her mother’s manipulation pull her back into spirals of guilt and fear straining their fragile bond. Slowly through patience and warmth they rebuild trust ending in a moment of laughter and connection. The piece was composed by several of Maggie’s parts “Mags” embodies her father’s steadiness “Topsy” “Magda” “Stupid” and “Loudmouth” voice her younger wounded selves and “Maggie” reflects the adult who dared to believe in love. Through music these parts finally understood her father’s love was real and unconditional. “Negotiations” is more than a composition; it's the sound of a fractured self beginning to heal and a testament to the quiet power of being truly heard.
Narrator: Annette Shun Wah and NLM producer: Tanya Lee
Annette Shun Wah | Freelance Writer, Director & Broadcaster
Annette Shun Wah has had an extensive career in radio, television, publishing and live performance. She’s a former Triple J announcer, presented SBS TV’s music show The Noise and cult experimental slot Eat Carpet. As an actor she was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award for her performance in Clara Law’s feature film Floating Life and her book Banquet – Ten Courses to Harmony, co-authored with Greg Aitkin, won a Bronze World Food Award. From 2011-2022 she led Contemporary Asian Australian Performance, carving out professional pathways for artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and bringing Asian Australian stories to main stages and major festivals. From 2020 2023 she was Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre’s OzAsia Festival and was awarded an honorary Master of Fine Arts by NIDA in 2023. Annette serves on the board of the Sydney Theatre Company and s Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.