May 12, 2015
In 1915, in a small suburban house, parents Gladys and Harold wait for news of their 18-year-old son who is fighting in the trenches at Gallipoli.
And nearly 100 years later, Cate waits patiently in the same suburban house for the return of her husband, who has been fighting in the wastelands of Afghanistan.
That’s the theme of “The Knock On The Door”, an award-winning one-act play by Bruce Olive that will open the Nanango Theatre Company’s latest season this Friday night, May 15.
“It’s not an Anzac play,” insists director Traci Clark, who deliberately postponed the season to avoid any confusion with recent Anzac Day commemorations.
“It’s much more a play that explores how Australians – and in particular, Australian women – cope with the anxiety of having a loved one fighting overseas.
“And it’s not about story telling. It’s an examination of a slice of real life that’s designed to make us think.”
The dramatic play has a cast of four, and the role of the young son will be played by Kingaroy’s Eli Bunyoung, who Traci believes has a lot of promise as an actor.
“I doubt there’ll be a dry eye in the house when Eli appears on stage,” Traci said.
“He’s really worked hard on this role, and I think audiences will be impressed.”
After a short intermission for supper, this drama will be followed by the comedy “Stroke” by Rockhampton-born playwright Mark Lucas, directed by Katie Campbell.
This one-act play tells the story of Stacey and Sandra who find themselves holed-up in a cheap motel after robbing a bank. Unfortunately for them, the room’s other tenants return – but they are both visually impaired.
Once again, the play will be performed by a cast of four, but the theatre company promise it will deliver lots of laughs and an upbeat end to an evening of live theatre.
“Two One Act Plays” will be performed at the Nanango Playhouse at the corner of Elk and George streets, Nanango, on May 15, 16, 22 and 23. Doors will open at 7:00pm and the show will begin at 7:30pm sharp.
Tickets – which include supper – are $20 for adults and $15 for pensioners or students and can be bought in advance from the Nanango Visitor Information Centre in Henry Street, Nanango, or at the door before each performance, if not sold out.
