By Shelby Brooks
In a ‘supper and show’ performance by Gemco Players Theatre, actors will explore intergenerational relationships this month.
‘Come Back For Light Refreshments after the Service’, is a play written by local hills writer and performer Julie Day.
It is a touching, humorous, charming and very real observed study of the attitudes, expectation and aspirations of four generations of woman the 1980s.
The play centres around Beth who has nursed her Alzheimer’s stricken father for five years.
He has now passed away and Beth plans to sell the house and go back-packing.
Her plans are met with a variety of opinions from disapproval to delight.
As in reality, the theatre of life unfolds, problems are shared, truth is told and laughter unites as the four woman work together and chat in the kitchen preparing light refreshments for the guests after the funeral service.
Real sandwiches, cakes, scones, hot snacks, tea and coffee are served to the audience as they become the mourners visiting after the funeral.
“This play is about relationships and understanding, the role and value of the carers in our society and the camaraderie of women,” director Mandy McGarrigle said.
Mandy has a long involvement with Gemco Players having operated the lights for the theatre’s first ever show in 1979.
She recently moved back to the area after a stint in Tasmania and said she was thrilled to be back in the hills arts scene.
The play was first presented in the 90s and garnered rave reviews at the time.
It even won a Fringe Award for Excellence at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The play will be presented over three weekends, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 October at The Gem Community Arts Centre 19 Kilvington Drv, Emerald.
Head to gemcoplayers.org for tickets.
