Screwball comedy is story of rapid fire wit

THE rapid-fire wit and superb staging of The Philadelphia Story is a great start to Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company’s 2006 season.
Written by Phillip Barry, the story of wealthy socialite and divorcee Tracy Lord (Venetia Macken) and her impending second marriage was an Oscar-winning comedy starring Carey Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Katherine Hepburn, and remade as an equally popular musical, High Society, with Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
C. K. Dexter (Justin Lucas), her first husband and society gossip journalist, is the comedic fly in the ointment when he arrives, unexpectedly, as a society gossip journalist, determined to disrupt the wedding and talk his ex into abandoning her plans to marry the safe, respectable but boring fiance, George Keteridge (Cameron South).
The Philadelphia Story opens tonight for a three-week season, with evening performances Tuesday through to Saturday and a matinee on Sunday, 19 March.
Other plays included in the 2006 season include perennial favourite The Odd Couple, Boeing, Boeing and Dinkum Assorted.
For subscription and ticket information and bookings, phone the Athenaeum Theatre on 9735 1777.