Woy Woy Little Theatre (WWLT) is set to present its first full-capacity show since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced more than a year ago, when Ladies in Lavender opens on May 14 for a three-week season at Peninsula Theatre.
After almost a year’s absence from the theatre, the group staged Love Letters in February to a sell-out 75 per cent capacity.
But now with audience number restrictions completely lifted, WWLT is preparing to dazzle theatregoers with Shaun McKenna’s Ladies in Lavender, an adaptation of Charles Dance’s 2005 film of the same name, which was in turn adapted from an Edwardian-era short story by William J. Locke.
Set in Cornwall circa 1937, the play centres around two elderly spinster sisters, still devastated by the first World War and terrified that another war is on the way.
Their quiet life is turned upside down when a young Polish man is shipwrecked off the coast near their home and they take him in during his recuperation.
At first, the handsome Andrea seems to be a welcome addition to the lonely women’s lives, but his presence soon proves unsettling.
Dormant passions bubble up in the sisters and sibling rivalry boils over into snippy comments and mutual suspicion.
Directed by Terry Collins, the show features a superb cast comprising Christine Vale and Chris Cherry as the sisters, Jake Cain-Roser as the shipwrecked Andrea, Andy Kabanoff as Dr Mead, Darienne Knight as the sisters’ housekeeper Dorcas and Rosemary Parsons as the mysterious Olga.
Collins said the play was a beautifully crafted examination of the push and pull of age and youth, of denial and knowing, of desire and gracious acceptance.
“I first fell I love with the movie, starring Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, and then when I found out it had been adapted for the stage, I simply had to direct it,” she said.
“The play is full of warmth and humour, but also has gut-wrenching emotional moments which will take the audience on emotional roller coaster.”
With a stunning set designed by Steve Pembroke complemented by extensive lighting and sound effects, Ladies in Lavender is sure to be an audience pleaser.
The production will operate under NSW Health guidelines as a COVID Safe registered organisation.
All bookings and payments must be made online.
Those unable to complete online bookings should call 4344 4737 and leave a message for a volunteer to call back and assist.
Ladies in Lavender will be presented from May 14- 30 on Friday and Saturday evenings, with 2pm Sunday matinees and one 2pm Saturday matinee on May 29.
Bookings at woywoylt.com.
Source:
Media release, May 4
Woy Woy Little Theatre