You’ll Die Laughing! At Rockdale
Elizabeth Coleman’s It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) plays at Rockdale’s Guild Theatre in October / November 2016.
Ron Patterson believes he has 111 minutes to live, so he decides to invite the kids around for party pies, pavlova and a strict schedule of events. As he attempts to tie up the loose ends of his life, all the juicy neuroses of this very dysfunctional family come out of the closet, and his well-planned final party completely unravels.
This comedy is inky black in its subject matter of imminent death, made hilarious by its absurdities and frustrations surrounding Ron and wife, Dawn’s unrealistic yet steadfast belief that life is neat, tidy and measurable.
Playwright Elizabeth Coleman’s Aussie humour is a breath of fresh air to which we can all relate. She doesn’t stand on ceremony when the sparks fly and they do fly as Ron’s eternal bigotry is exposed. Comic writers have understood for eons that putting ordinary people into situations that they are ill-equipped to deal with is grounds for hilarity, especially when you add a touch of arrogance to the mix. Our Ron fits this description to a tee.
Director Sue Stapleton first came across this play when she acted in another of Coleman’s plays, Secret Bridesmaids Business, at Arts Theatre Cronulla in 2014, directed by David Hines who plays Ron. The two plays are published together in the same volume so it was right there to read and Sue found ‘Party’ just as enjoyable a yarn as ‘Bridesmaids’. She says this production enlists a joyous combination of experience and enthusiasm within the ranks of actors as well as crew. It is a director’s delight when veteran and novice actors rally together along with backstage support and give everything they have to the party (no pun intended!). Add to this a script that is filled with opportunities to include layers of physical comedy, nuanced intrigue and comic value and you have a great experience all round. It is also wonderful to add live music to the play. David Hines, who plays Ron, is a talented musician and we have utilised his skill to enhance Ron’s vulnerability in his darkest hour and to add to the fun and entertainment of the play as a whole.
David Hines has been acting and directed for many years; here he is playing the family patriarch, Ron Patterson. David has also played the role of son Michael in 2004 at The Arts Theatre, Cronulla, so he has a great affection and unique insight into this play. Father and son are polar opposites in many ways being separated by a generation, along with personal and professional orientations. Yet it is their similarities that possibly cause the most conflict.
As David adds, “it’s hilarious, probably one of the funniest plays I’ve ever done”.
Anne McMaster who plays Dawn Patterson, is celebrating her 40th year at The Guild Theatre. Her first involvement was as prompt on ‘Our Town’ 1976 and has appeared onstage in many roles. Her backstage roles include light and sound operation which she says gives her a great opportunity to watch a play evolve through the rehearsal process to opening night. This time Anne is onstage and looking forward to bringing Dawn through her own process of emotional evolution.
“Audiences may relate to the circumstances but I’m sure they will relate to the humour – most of us have felt the pangs of ‘If only…’ or ‘I wish I had the chance to...’ in life, here’s an opportunity to see what might eventuate”.
New to the Guild Theatre’s stage is Daniel Cawthorne playing Michael, Ron and Dawn’s high flyer son. His previous acting experience was in the farce Moon Over Buffalo at the Arts Theatre, Cronulla. In this production Daniel is looking forward to the challenge of a more realistic character to the farcical and melodramatic styles he has played previously, especially given his improv background.
Caitlin Gleeson plays Debbie, the highly strung, independent sister to Michael. This is Caitlin’s theatre debut but her confident energy makes this hard to believe. She is very excited to land this role and enjoying the many challenges that go with a steep learning curve, not least of which is the physical comedy element.
Eloise Tanti playing Karen is also new to the stage and relishing the physical, emotional and stagecraft challenges in presenting a self-absorbed, petulant, spoilt character to life. Eloise relates to her character being the youngest of three children, however that is where the similarities end as Karen’s need to be the centre of attention and her fiery relationship with her siblings is vastly different to her own family.
Brad Yee as Ted Wilkins brings the outside world into this hot bed of family craziness. However, as the pre-booked undertaker with an ambitious streak, he is a little too eager and the craziness continues. Brad has worked with both David Hines and Susan Stapleton in Secret Bridesmaids Business and with David in 12 Angry Jurors at Arts Theatre, Cronulla and is looking forward to sharing the stage with him in Rockdale.
SEASON: October 28 to November 26, 2016.
DIRECTOR: Sue Stapleton
CAST: David Hines, Anne McMaster, Brad Yee, Caitlin Gleeson, Eloise Tanti and Daniel Cawthorne
TICKETS: Ticket Prices include refreshments and programme.
Adults ... $25
Concessions ... $20
Theatre Parties (20 people or more) ... $20
BOOKINGS: 9521 6358
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