U3A’s riot of colour

With amazing costumes and great props, all shown in brilliant technicolour, this year's U3A production may be the best yet.

By Derek Schlennstedt

Once again the theatrical group of Healesville, U3A will be opening their new and fourth production called the “Fun Times Musical Skit.”
The aptly titled show has everything its name suggests and is full of laughter and riotous fun.
With amazing costumes and great props, all shown in brilliant technicolour, Lois Thwaites, writer and producer for the show said it was their best show yet and one ‘not to be missed’.
“This year we’ve decided to do a huge musical extravaganza which starts and flows right through to the interval and the big musical production at the end,” Lois said.
“It’s got music in it, acting in it and a storyline, it’s got all of that … whereas normally it’s just a plain concert but this year it’s totally different and there is a really nice flow happening.”
The show itself has many different acts to it and is set in Australia, New York and even Nottingham Forest – where you might see Robin Hood and his merry men.
Incidentally, one of the cast members, Healesville’s very own Julia Hadlow has a connection to the real Earl of Locksley.
With a comedy skit, pantomime, and various musical numbers all featured in the production, there is something for everyone and Lois said the theme was just to have some fun.
“We’ve got excerpts, and musical numbers from show tunes and it’s interwoven into a storyline,” she said.
“We use our other U3A groups, not only our theatrical group … we have the line dancers and the Ukulele group incorporated into the production.”
MCing the event will be the fabulous Dianne Anderson who will be on hand with her running wit.
The entire show is two hours long with a 10-minute interval and Lois said the audience could expect laughter, fun and much, much more.
“They can expect to have lots of fun, laughter and lots of music; it’s a full-on production.”
The production will be held at the Healesville High School Theatre, starting at 2pm on Saturday, 11 November.
Tickets are just $5 each – free for children up to 16 years and can be obtained at the door of the Theatre or on Thursday mornings during the line dancing class located at the Senior Citizens Hall corner of River/Green Streets from 10.30am to 12 midday.