One Act Play Season - 'Parenthood'
2 May — 19 May (Public Nights 11, 12, 18, 19 May)
Directors – Alan Brown, Desley Cronon, Robyn Flashman
PARENTHOOD - The Perils of Parenting!
TIME Magazine rates Neil Simon as the most prolific American playwright and “the patron saint of laughter”. Many of his plays have been made into popular films with him doing the screenplays. Simon has produced more Broadway hits than any other playwright. He once had four plays on Broadway at the same time.
In May, theatre-goers can enjoy this famous playwright’s work produced in the intimate and historic setting of the Incinerator theatre. Ipswich Little Theatre (ILT) presents two of Simon’s plays in a laugh-a-minute season of three short plays collectively titled Parenthood!.
Visitor from New York , directed by Alan Brown, follows the story of Hannah Warren, a sophisticated New Yorker who’s arrived in California for an important meeting with her ex-husband Billy. In a touching play which explores the dynamics of a separated family, their teenage daughter Jenny, who spends her summer holiday with her father each year, wants to stay on with her dad.
Billy (Jim Orr) argues with ex-wife Hannah (Deborah Houston) over their daughter’s future in Visitor from New York.
In another “Visitors” comedy by Simon, Roy and Norma Hubley spare no expense in booking the Plaza Hotel for their daughter Mimsey’s wedding. At the last minute, Mimsey stubbornly refuses to go through with it. Neil Simon’s wicked sense of humour turns this difficult situation in Visitors from Forest Hills into an hilarious romp. ILT director is Desley Cronon.
Parents of the bride in Visitors from Forest Hills, Ray and Norma (Ashleigh Mac and Leanne Bamford), find out that weddings are not all hearts and flowers.
Completing three plays on the perils of parenting is Labour Pains , written by Michele Palermo and directed by Robyn Flashman. In this very funny look at the earnestness and insecurities of first-time parents, a husband is very eager to play his part as a caring and involved husband and father.
Anxious parents-to-be Emily (Gemma Styles) and Robert (Ryan Tucker) time contractions in the hilarious play, Labour Pains.
Cast members in Parenthood! include Deborah Houston, Jim Orr, Ashleigh Mac, Leanne Bamford, Gemma Styles and Ryan Tucker.
The ILT season at the Incinerator theatre, Burley Griffin Drive , Ipswich , runs from May 2 to 19. Book for public nights on May 11, 12, 18 and 19 by calling the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 3281 0555.
Ticket prices are $18 adults and $14 concession. Cut-price tickets for groups who book half or all of the theatre, which seats 80, allow them to raise funds for their own activities and enjoy a fun social night at the same time. Group bookings for any of the four major productions each year are available by phoning Robyn Flashman on 3812 3450.
