The ladies of Appleton are getting set for the annual Potato Race – and so the stage is set for Woy Woy Little Theatre’s last play of the year, set to open at Peninsula Theatre on October 28.
The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race is an all-female contemporary Australian play – thought provoking and with plenty of laughs.
Director Jan Grounds said the quirkily titled piece is based on a true annual event held in Robertson, NSW.
“The writer, Melanie Tait, lived there but, years later, after leaving for a career in the big smoke, noticed the unequal prize money for men and women on a website and thought to right a wrong,” Grounds said.
“Out of her own experience she wrote a play with genuine affection for a small country community gently exploring equality, racial prejudice and homophobia.
“The characters are rich in past life experiences making them humorous, flawed, interesting and likeable.
“I’m so fortunate to have a wonderful cast of five strong actors to bring play to life – Darienne Knight, Chris Cherry, Teanau Murphy, Kathryn Peterson and Liane Porter.”
Peterson plays Penny, who returns to the county town after being around the world and attaining two degrees and one fellowship, with strong ideas of equality and righting a wrong.
The play is about how rest of her family, friends and the wider community try to accommodate this way of thinking.
“But it’s not just about that one issue,” Grounds said.
“A lot of key issues are covered as the community adjusts and shifts to a changing environment.”
Murphy plays Pennys’ cousin Nikki, who has never left the country town and is at the centre of community life.
She harbours some resentment to her globe-trotting cousin.
Their aunt Barb (Cherry) is motherly and caring and tries to play peacemaker, while Barb’s lifelong friend Bev (Knight) who runs the Appleton Show, has problems of her own with an ailing husband and an alcoholic son.
Syrian refugee Rania (Porter), who is a good friend of Nikki’s, is trying to adapt and fit in.
“All of these characters are rich in life experience and the way their stories come out and interweave makes for great theatre,’ Grounds said.
The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race plays at Peninsula Theatre from October 28-November 13.
See Woy Woy Little Theatre website for session times and bookings.
Terry Collins