With performances to be held in Yarrawonga in late May and early June, an information session will be held at the Girl Guides Hall, McNally Street at 1pm on Sunday, January 29.
The extremely funny play written by Hugh O’Brien and directed by Lorraine Monshing OAM and Catherine McBurnie is a family-friendly look at what the script calls “small Australian country towns taking their precarious future into their own hands while facing the unique challenges facing farmers in the 21st century”.
“Here is the new generation Dimboola, a laugh-out-loud comedy that is bound to be performed by every rural drama group in our wide, brown land,” the script reads.
“Garimba is a small Queensland country town in big economic trouble. Its cattle and crop growers have been battered for years by one drought after another, so, believing that tourism can be their salvation, the Business Attraction Group of Garimba decides to stage a “grabber” event.
“In a desperate effort to bring money and recognition to their town, B.A.G.G. throw around a few ideas that could reel in the tourists but unfortunately, all the “world’s first” events seem to be happening elsewhere.
“All except one! A quirky, laconic, Australian comedy, this play was the inaugural winner of the National Dogwood Playwrights Initiative.”
The cast of six (ages are approximate only) and their roles are:
• Chrissie Cavanagh 25. Runs a cattle and crop farm. Secretary of B.A.G.G.
• Neville Green 26. Runs family cattle property. Chrissie’s longtime boyfriend. Vice-President of B.A.G.G.
• Gloria Green 55. Neville’s widowed mother. Country Women’s Association representative on B.A.G.G.
• Mervyn Swinton 50. Owner of the Cattlemen’s Motor Inn, Shire Councillor, President of B.A.G.G.
• Troy Dinstan 19. Manager of a Roadhouse. Publicity officer of B.A.G.G. Honorary webmaster of Garimba.
• Rachel Richford 26. Public servant. Single. Project Officer with Queensland Events.
The Allegro committee met with Ms Monshing recently to discuss the possibility of her directing a show for them in the first half of this year.
Ms Monshing is a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of her involvement with theatre companies throughout north-east Victoria over many, many years as she has directed The Vicar of Dibley for Allegro in 2013, as well as Stuart Little in 2017.
Ms McBurnie, with her real-life understanding of such an environment, is helping Ms Monshing as Assistant Director, and both are looking forward enthusiastically to the production.
If you are an aspiring theatre actor and would be interested in becoming a part of this lighthearted play, make sure to attend the information session before auditions are held at the Yarrawonga College P-4 campus from 11 am on Sunday, February 5.
Two rehearsals will be held per week with times to be negotiated with the cast.
Ring Director Lorraine Monshing OAM for an appointment on 0427 297 570.
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