Eight new young members of the Upper Lansdowne Players will feature in the 2019 spring season of shows.
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To be held at the Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall, Half Frozen is a comedy with several twists.
Written by Craig Sodaro, the story updates and spoofs traditional fairytale themes like royal parents wishing to marry their daughter to the prince of a neighbouring kingdom to avoid war.
Also familiar is the banished witch, who cursed the princess as a stroppy child, and everything and everyone the still stroppy princess Mirabelle touches turns to ice. That is, unless she wears heavy duty gloves, which she hates.
A problem indeed for true romance, let alone the kingdom, half of which now functions as a deep freeze storage for Mirabelle's victims.
Add modern dialogue and cheeky attitudes, mobile phones and texting and an advice columnist called in to solve the problem - and the ensuing chaos makes for a very funny play to entertain audiences from eight to 80.
Director Cathrine Watson chose the play especially to cater for new young members of the Players.
From home schooling families living in Upper Lansdowne, Central Lansdowne and Taree, the Players are delighted to be able to give these young people the experience of a theatre production.
Cathrine includes drama exercises at each rehearsal, such as clear enunciation and projection.
Tess Hoadley, 12, plays the princess, her sister Ivy, nine, plays her when younger, and older sister Mali, 14, plays her lady-in waiting.
Their mum Linda Hoadley has taken on the job of publicist, designing posters and programs and posting updates to the Players' Facebook page.
Another home schooling mum, Jeneen Biles, plays Queen Regina, her daughter Annabelle,15, plays Lilith, the snappy advice columnist, and Luke Biles, 15, will look after lighting and sound.
Regulars will recognise Richard Coleman as King Augustus and Vivienne Scott as Genetta, the disgruntled sorceress.
Helping bring the 'Upper Lansdowne' component back to the Players, local Luke Wallbridge, 15, plays both over-confident Prince Tomaso and cheeky Dinki, Genetta's helper, while his brother Matt, 14, plays Ned, castle handyman and brave romantic interest.
Dinki's comic partner, Winki, is played by Tola Rodriguez-Kenny, 15.
New adult member Vicky Connell from Harrington plays Genetta's opinionated grandmother.
The rejuvenated troupe will also offer a different format, as the opening night on Saturday October 19 will be a fun and informal BYO picnic dinner night, with tickets only $12, and children under five free.
The traditional gourmet three-course dinner show ($37.50) will be on Saturday November 2, and there will be three Sunday matinées ($25) with delicious and generous homecooked afternoon teas on October 20, 27 and November 3.
The Players are all about community. Revenue from the show goes to maintain the hall - like the newly renovated toilets!
To book (for tables of eight or individually), go to www.upperlansdownehall.org.au, or call Sue on 6556 9290.
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