By Peter Kemp
The 1812 Theatre
The Thrill of Love
A divorcee with a young chid to care for, Ruth works in the land of nightclubs where there’s more than just a drink on offer.
The girls work hard, play hard and dream f a movie-star life.
Then she meets the wealthy, womanising David, a racing driver with whom she becomes obsessed.
Fame comes – but not in the way she imagines.
Why does their relationship end in murder?
|Why does she plead guilty but offer no defence?
Why does she show no remorse?
And who is she trying to protect?
Amanda Whittington’s play The thrill of Love tells the true story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain, and takes a fresh look at the woman behind the headlines.
Season: 3 April – 3 May.
CPP Community Theatre
Macbeth
Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is a brave Scottish general in King Duncan’s army.
However, soon upon hearing the witch’s prophecy that he would become King of Scotland he becomes tyrannical.
With his wife’s help and encouragement, he kills King Duncan, but this fills him with deep regret and guilt.
Plagued by insecurities and the witch’s prophecy that Banquo’s descendants would be kings, he keeps spies on all the noblemen and arranges for Banquo and his son to be murdered, although he hides this from his wife.
Banquo’s ghosts haunts him, and he suffers from insomnia and insanity.
He seeks out the witches again, who still confirm the prophecy, and he goes on a murderess rampage.
He mourns his wife’s death and contemplates killing himself too, as Malcolm’s army approaches him.
However, Macduff challenges him and he decides to die fighting.
Season: 4 – 12 April.
The Round Theatre
The Music Man
Fast-talking travelling salesman ‘Professor’ Harold Hill comes to River City, Iowa, a town hesitant of letting strangers in, especially ones trying to sell something!
Harold calls himself a music professor, selling band instruments and uniforms, and the idea of starting a boy’s band with the local youth.
River City families order instruments and uniforms, and in return, Harold begins to teach the boys his revolutionary ‘Think System’.
Marian Paroo, the local librarian and part-time piano teacher, is not easily convinced.
She tracks down information to incriminate Harold but has a change of heart when she sees her younger brother come out of his shell with the arrival of his new instrument.
Marian and Harold begin to see more of each other and their relationship develops.
As the city prepares to celebrate July 4th, a rival and vengeful salesman, Charlie Cowell, arrives to expose Harold and convince the townspeople to arrest him.
Will Harold avoid trouble of his ow?
Will the boy’s band succeed?
Do Harold and Marian end up making music of their own together?
Enjoy this delightful piece of Americana that includes such memorable sons as Ya Got Trouble, Seventy-Six Trombones and Till There Was You!
Full of heart and humour this lively performance will have you tapping your toes and cheering for love, redemption and the joy of music.
Season: 21 – 30 March.
Bookings: 9262 8555.
