Melanie Tait is one of our finest playwrights, writing gently observant theatre featuring well drawn, easily recognisable characters.
Tait’s play THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE was commissioned by Kirribilli’s Ensemble Theatre and first performed in 2019, the year in which the play was set. She was inspired by being familiar with the annual potato race that took place in Robertson in the southern highlands where she lived for a number of years.
The play was a great success at the Ensemble theatre so much so that the theatre toured the production regionally. A movie has since been made of it starring Robyn Nevin and Genevieve Lemon.
The play’s protagonist is local Penny Anderson who moved to Sydney to study medicine and has since returned to the fictional town of Appleton to set up a general practice. She has become a bit too modern in her thinking for the locals.
Penny hears that there is a financial discrepancy in the winner’s payments between the male and the female race winners. She is ardent that each winner should be paid a fair amount. Most locals want to keep the status quo however Penny is determined to make it happen, and sets up a Go Fund me campaign to fund the female prize money.
The audience loved the very well drawn world of country town Australia, and its richly feminist stance.
Director Alexandra Pelvin with her creatives, principally, set designer Alexandra Pelvin and and Ian Ackland, lighting design Sean Clarke, sound design and original music Geoff Jones, and wardrobe Joy Sweeney set up a very clear and effective stage world for the actors to work their magic in.
The cast of five were each convincing in their roles.
Courtney Farrow played the good hearted and feisty Dr Penny.
Moja Band played the role of Rania that of a dignified Syrian refugee, with a young daughter Miriam, who lends her support to Penny.
Sharni Ludowyk was vibrant as the multi talented Nikki; a hairdresser during the day, a bartender at night, and a coach of the local football team on weekends. Well, there are some people who seem to have an endless amount of energy!
Christine Greenough, played the conservative, one dimensional thinker Bev, who Penny found the most intransigent.
Kate Mannix played Barb, a strong minded single, childless woman who has lived in the town for a long tim.
This is a very likeable play and Pymble Players have presented well. Melanie Tait’s THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE is playing the Zenith Theatre. corner McIntosh and Railway Streets, Chatswood. The venue is close to Chatswood railway station and there are many eateries around for pre theatre dining.
Final performances are Thursday 30th October at 7.30pm, Friday 31st October at 7.30pm and Saturday 1st November at 2.30pm.
Featured photo : left to right Courtney Farrow as Penny Anderson, Kate Mannix as Barb Ling, and Moja Band as Rania Hamid
Production photography by Daniel Ferris
