More Legends of the Skies

LOTS Theatre Inc. presents Legends of the Skies Series 2, from October 8 – 18 at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport.

Following the success of last year’s Legends of the Skies, this year’s Series 2 contains new material, with a World War 1 Focus, and pays tribute to aviation legends such as John and Reginald Duigan, ace fighter pilot Captain Robert Little, aviatrix Freda Thompson, Frenchman Maurice Guillaux, Charles Kingsford Smith and co-pilot ‘Tommy’, Bluey Truscott and Harry Hawker.

This innovative performance project takes place in the aviation museum hangar, with the audience moving between segments, and features a cast of 19 actors under the artistic direction of Maggie Morrison, with technical production by Alan Crispin, and produced by Cheryl Threadgold.

Writers include Geraldine Colson, Colleen Dewis, Neil Follett, Alison Knight, Steve Morris, Maggie Morrison, Jan Storey and director/writer of the Harry Hawker tribute, Cheryl Threadgold.

Technical Producer Alan Crispin has again drawn on his extensive experience to take on the challenge of devising a lighting and sound design to successfully  present a theatre show inside the non-theatrical venue of the museum aircraft  hangar.

Director/writer of the Harry Hawker tribute, Cheryl Threadgold, has been  delighted to make contact with Harry Hawker’s great-nephew, Chris Hawker.

“Chris has been wonderfully helpful in providing Hawker family images to project on a screen during the Harry Hawker tribute,” says Cheryl.

“He has also kindly offered to attend every performance to speak to the audience at the end of the show, and share a twist in the official report on his great-uncle’s plane crash in 1921, which was ordered to be kept top-secret for 50 years.”

Artistic Director Maggie Morrison says one of the plays, ‘Aspirations’, reflects vision of the Australian Government to direct money towards aviation, particularly with the threat of World War 1.

“Whether it is the competitive edge to progress, the unflinching faith and passion of our first flying enthusiasts, the courage to fly unstrapped in open planes, the quirks of acceptance into the world in the clouds, or the respect we owe our early pioneers of aviation, it can all be found in Legends of the Skies Series 2,” says Maggie.

Legends of the Skies Series 2 also aims to promote the wonderful restoration work being undertaken by volunteers at the Australian National Aviation Museum.

Performances:  October 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 at 8.00pm

Venue:  Australian National Aviation Museum, 1 Second Ave., Moorabbin Airport.

Tickets: $20 include show and light refreshments.

Bookings:  http://www.trybooking.com/97781   Enquiries: 9589 4912

Images: Paul Ditchburn (Charles Kingsford Smith) at right, with David Dodd (co-pilot ‘Tommy’); Debbie Keyt portrays Australian aviatrix Freda Thompson; Justine Gorny (Muriel Hawker) with plaque dedicated to Harry Hawker at Moorabbin Airport; Stephen Leeden as larrikin  French pilot Maurice Guillaux; Cliff Enticott and Stephanie Webb, with Kyran Hymers (Captain Robert Little) in background. Photography Malcolm Threadgold.

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