Canberra couple Shell Abdoo and Berin Denham are bringing their love story to the stage with the premiere of Only Everything coming soon to the Canberra Theatre Centre. Photo: Supplied.
It’s the sort of story films are made of: girl meets boy, boy likes girl (and vice versa) – but the timing clearly needs work.
Fast forward, add “life” and a dating app to the mix and we’re cooking. Also, incidentally, they’re now man and woman (more on that later) with a total of seven children between them.
In real life, it’s the story of Shell Abdoo and Berin Denham, two Canberra people who were meant for each other, but it never seemed to be the right time. That was, until, about five years ago, when he found her again, describing her as “that’s my girl”.
His girl was the young woman he had met whilst the two were involved in community theatre in Canberra, a lifetime or so ago.
“He sent me a message through Facebook and all I could remember was how he was such a nice guy – what would he want with me? But we had been friends for so long and knew each other so well.
“But we were both in our 40s by then and it’s hard to think about starting again …”.
Today, the two couldn’t be more in love. Their now adult children have mostly left the nest, Berin works as a public servant and Shell remains a romantic at heart – she is a singer-songwriter.
Not only have they joined forces family wise, the two are also just about to be what Shell describes as “really brave” and tell their love story to the world, in a “drama-edy”, via the play they have written together – Only Everything.
It tells the story of Tori, a talented musician navigating the challenges of online dating while dealing with her ex-husband’s constant disruptions, and Aaron, a charismatic divorcé trying to raise adult children – and find love again.
As their paths meet through chance encounters and shared experiences, Tori and Aaron must confront their past heartbreaks and insecurities to embrace the possibility of a future together.
Yes, Shell is Tori and Berin is Aaron – and not only have they created the work together, they will, in its first season at the Canberra Theatre Centre’s Playhouse, play themselves – and produce the play.
“When we got together people told us were inspiring, that we were like a romantic comedy,” she said. “So I guess that’s what we are.
“Maybe we are the sort of people others can relate to.
“It has turned into a contemporary musical, somewhere between a comedy and a drama. It has its funny moments but it can also tug on the heart strings.”
How did she feel about bringing their private life out into the public arena – like a Canberra theatre stage?
“I suppose it did take a bit of bravery,” she said. “As an artist, it’s almost a compulsion to share your experiences and make art from it. But this is not a documentary, it’s more fiction based on a true story.”
And unlike many new plays coming to the stage, Shell and Berin can guarantee it will have a happy ending.
Cast of Only Everything, from left, Berin Denham, Shell Abdoo with fellow cast members Louiza Blomfield and David Pearson. Photo: Supplied.
After its first season in Canberra, on the last night of the show, the two will marry at the theatre, with all their family and friends there to witness the long-awaited event.
Shell will wear a wedding ring featuring seven diamonds – one for each of the couple’s children.
“Half of our friends and family think it’s all amazing. The other half think we’re crazy,” she laughed.
Only Everything opens on 17 October with 10 shows scheduled at the Canberra Theatre Centre, running until 26 October.
It will be directed by 2023 Standing Ovation Award winner Rachel Thornton and feature a live band led by award-winning musician Nicholas Griffin.
Tickets for Only Everything are now available at the Canberra Theatre.
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