Spud Racing Premiere on the Apple Isle

SQUID INC Theatre is excited to announce that the Tasmanian Premiere of Melanie Tait’s light-hearted comedy, The Appleton Ladies Potato Race, which was postponed earlier this year due to Covid, is now re-scheduled and will run for 4 performances in September 2024!

Thanks to the very generous support of Do Maur Productions, The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race will be staged in the West Park Playhouse in Burnie from Thursday 12 September to Saturday 14 September.

Appleton is a small country town where, men are men, women are women and vegetables are not cake… and that’s the way it’s always been until prodigal daughter Penny Anderson returns from the big smoke to set up shop as the local GP. 

Appleton’s annual potato race is the main drawcard at the Appleton Show but Penny’s attempts to bring about changes to the race’s prize money are bound to cause more than a little stir among the locals.

“The play is a sparkling comedy that just about everyone can relate to,” says Director Christina Bosly-Pask, “especially if you’ve ever lived in the country.  Appleton prides itself on its potato-growing heritage and the potato races that are the highlight of the annual ag show, so any attempt to make big changes is bound to cause tongues to wag and people to take sides”.

Christina says that SQUID INC Theatre really appreciates the support they’ve had from Do Maur Productions in making their new West Park Playhouse available for the Appleton Ladies. “It was a great disappointment to have to postpone the play and we’re delighted to be able to reschedule in this lovely new venue.”
“This play is a great crowd pleaser that also spotlights some of the issues of the day” Christina says. 

“More than a few skeletons are rattled and there are laughs aplenty when Penny sets her sights on bringing gender equality to the Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race. We hope that people will leave the theatre with a smile on the lips, perhaps a tear in the eye, but most importantly a feeling of hope for the future.”
Bookings open Monday 5 August through Burnie Arts https://www.burniearts.net/ or (03) 6430 5850.