Charlotte Varcoe
PENOLA Players will hit the stage once again this year putting on its first performance in years.
Next year, the long-serving theatre group will celebrate its 75th anniversary after almost folding last year.
Penola local and Penola Player president Ulrich Grey-Smith said he welcomed the new era for the amateur acting group.
Mr Grey-Smith will make his directing debut for the up-and-coming production of ‘Don’t Get Your Vicars in a Twist’ – a play based in the 1990’s when female vicars were ordained.
“There are going to be quite a few members in the cast, about a dozen people on stage, so that will be fun,” Mr Grey-Smith said.
“We are also looking for people to help us backstage for the crew as we are expected to put the show on in November.”
He said they were hoping to put together about four shows including a matinee and some evening shows as well.
“We might put it on again in early 2025 with the same actors and try and get involved with the Fringe Festival or the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, we will see how we go,” Mr Grey-Smith said.
“The play itself is set in the early 90’s when women priests were first ordained into the Anglican Church or the Church of England and it is based in the early days with people getting used to the idea.”
He said it would be a fun and entertaining play and although it was his first time directing he looked forward to the challenge.
“My dad was an amateur actor so it is something that is in the blood,” he said.
“It is a lot of fun to actually get up and perform and be someone else for a while.”
Mr Grey-Smith said since being involved in the Penola Players since 2003 he looked forward to hosting the first play they had performed in a number of years.
“We did not quite get to getting a play on last year as there were a few renovations that needed to happen,” he said.
“We do have a big stage set we need to work out and put it all together again, buy some new paint but that is in the lead up to the show.”
He said although auditions would not be held for quite some time, the group was calling out for assistance to get the ball rolling on its play.
The Penola Players will meet on Thursday, July 18 at Rymill Hall for a meeting at 6pm.
