WYONG DRAMA GROUP
2020 - Present
Here are the productions we've staged in the current decade. The 'top-notch twenties' is the Group's eighth decade. The list below contains all of the Group's productions from 2020 - NOW.
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GLORIOUS!
By Peter Quilter
Directed by Ruth Jordon & Howard Oxley
Performed May 2021
Promotional banner for Glorious!
Breaking a long hiatus on productions due to government restrictions from the COVID-19 Pandemic (starting March 2020) the Group staged Glorious!, directed by Howard Oxley and Ruth Jordon.
Glorious! is the hilarious comedy of the worst singer in the world. In 1940's New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Known as 'the first lady of the sliding scale', she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.
Based on a true story, the play spins from Florence's charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.
Performance of Glorious!. Use the arrows to navigate and click the images to view them full-size.
DIRECTED BY:
Ruth Jordon & Howard Oxley
CAST:
FLORENCE - Pollyanna Forshaw
DOROTHY - Margaret Holdom
ST CLAIR - Stephen McLaren
COSME - Patrick Wells
MRS VERRINDER-GEDGE - Ruth Crawley
MARIA - Ruth Jordon
BIRTHRIGHTS
By David Williamson
Directed by Julie Bailey
Performed February 2022
Rehearsals for Birthrights. Use the arrows to browse through the photos.Click the images to view them full-size.
Birthrights was rehearsed and continuously postponed over the course of more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was finally staged in early 2022, and directed by Julie Bailey.
Williamson is Australia’s most prolific playwright. His vast body of work includes classics such as Don’s Party, The Removalists, The Club and Travelling North.
Birthrights, although published in 2003 and described as a ‘bittersweet play about motherhood’, explores many themes which are very relevant today. When Helen (Francesca Radice) discovers she is unable to have children, her career-driven sister Claudia (Rebecca Sharples) offers to be the surrogate mother.
The play addresses the ethical and emotional complexities of this act of generosity along with the impact on the sisters’ very different partners, Mark (James Chambers) and Martin (James Hunter). Kelly (Jacinta-Rose Burley), the daughter, proves to be a challenging child whilst Margaret (Sally Bartley), the feisty mother of the sisters, attempts to smooth the waters.
Birthrights, an engaging play with strong characters and thought-provoking
dialogue, is a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining theatre experience.
Promotional images for Birthrights, featuring some of the cast. Use the arrows to browse through the photos. Click the images to view them full-size.
DIRECTED BY:
Julie Bailey
CAST:
CLAUDIA – Rebecca Sharples
HELEN – Francesca Radice
MARTIN – James Hunter
MARK – James Chambers
MARGARET – Sally Bartley
KELLY – Jacinta-Rose Burley
NUNSENSE II
The Second Coming...
By Dan Goggin
Directed by Margaret Holdom
Performed April 2022
Promotional Photo for Nunsense II (Credit: Leslie Photography)
The Little Sisters of Hoboken returned in April 2022, following Wyong Drama Group’s very successful season of Nunsense in 2018. Like the first Nunsense, this sequel to the original was again directed by Margaret Holdom and featured mainly the same cast.
Nunsense 2 – The Second Coming takes place six weeks after the sisters have staged their first benefit. The sisters are back presenting a "Thank You" show for all the people who had supported them in the past. But now, they're a bit slicker, having been 'bitten by the theatre bug'. Things get off to a rousing start, but before long chaos erupts. Two Franciscans come to claim Sister Mary Amnesia (who has won the Publishers’ Clearing House Sweepstakes) as one of their own. At the same time the nuns hear that a talent scout is in the audience to see them strut their stuff.
Musical Direction was by Maryellen Gillard and Choreography was by Madeline Stephenson. This show was a joyful and funny look at life in the Convent.
Popular WDG performers Ruth Jordon and Cathy De Vries headed the cast, which also included well-known Central Coast performers Amanda Daniel, Karen Pendleton, Gabbie Magee and Maddie Stephenson.
Nunsense II was presented as part of the WDG's 70th Birthday celebrations.
Promotional images and the Action of Nunsense II. Use the arrows to browse through the photos. Click the images to view them full-size. (Credit: Leslie Photography)
DIRECTED BY:
Margaret Holdom
CAST:
(Prior to entering the convent...)
SISTER MARY REGINA, REV MOTHER - Ruth Jordon
SISTER MARY HUBERT- Cathy De Vries
SISTER ROBERT ANNE - Amanda Daniel
SISTER MARY AMNESIA - Karen Pendleton
SISTER MARY LEO - Gabbie Magee
SISTER JULIA, CHILD OF GOD - Maddie Stephenson
Maryellen Gillard
MUSICAL DIRECTOR:
Madeline Stephenson
CHOREOGRAPHER:
Geoffrey Preece
RÉPÉTITEUR:
Marion Ella
STAGE MANAGER:
CLUE
Directed by Pollyanna Forshaw
Performed August 2022
CLUE ON STAGE:
Adapted from the screenplay by JONATHAN LYNN. Additional Materials by HUNTER FOSTER, ERIC PRICE & SANDY RUSTIN. ADAPTED FROM THE PARAMOUNT PICTURES FILM WRITTEN BY JONATHAN LYNN AND THE BOARD GAME FROM HASBRO, INC. Staged with permission from Playscripts. Inc.
IT’S THE BLACK COMEDY based on the popular board game: CLUEDO.
CAST:
Wadsworth - Brett Perkins
Yvette - Rebecca Sharples
Miss Scarlet - Georgia Martin
Mrs Peacock - Gab McIntosh
Mrs White - Dianne Ormsby
Colonel Mustard - Andy Kabanoff
Professor Plum - Duncan Mitchell
Mr Green - Stuart Mortimer
Cook - Kirra Stallard
Mr Boddy / Chief of Police - Gerard Dunning
Motorist / Police Officer - John Czerniecki
Cop - Bruce Gibbs
Singing Telegram Girl - Tamara White
Director - Pollyanna Forshaw
Assistant Director - Kath Izzard
Production Manager - Susan Kielt
Stage Manager - Diana Kemp
Lighting & Sound Technician - Cameron Mitchell
Sound recording - Gerard Dunning
Costume co-ordinator - Julie Young
Set construction - James Chambers
Props production - Bruce Gibbs
Graphic design - Nikki DeVries
Photography - Andy Kabanoff
SYNOPSIS: On a dark and stormy night, six unique guests, plus a butler and a maid, assemble for a dinner party at the home of Mr. Boddy. When their host turns up dead, it is clear that no one is safe! Soon the guests are racing to find the killer and keep the body count from stacking up.
Based on the popular board game and adapted from the cult classic film, Clue is the comedy whodunit that keeps you guessing (and laughing) to the very end.
Performed February 2023
Directed by Vivienne McLaren
SYNOPSIS
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' opens in a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother Jem live with their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Reminiscent of a bygone era, the play immerses us in a simpler time as the children play outside in the summer, act out stories and muse about their mysterious neighbour, Boo Radley. The façade of the seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young black man is accused of a terrible crime. Driven by an unshakeable moral conviction, local lawyer Atticus defends the man in a trial that sends violent waves through the community. Timeless and lingering, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion and the courage to do what is right.
In this version, Scout appears as an adult to narrate the story.
CAST:
Atticus Finch - Marc Calwell
Jean Louise Finch - Sally Bartley
Scout - Sophie Goodwin
Jem - Zara Taylor
Dill - Cameron Eltham
Bob Ewell - Stephen McLaren
Mayella Ewell - Emerson Goodenough
Heck Tate - Gavin Fryer
Judge Taylor - Andy Kabanoff
Reverend Sykes - Haki P Crisden
Calpurnia - Ruth Jordon
Stephanie Crawford - Diane Ormsby
Maudie Atkinson - Stephanie Burton
Mrs Dubose - Sharon Hogan
Mr Gilmer - James Hunter
Tom Robinson - Max Leaitua
Helen Robinson - Tina Leaitua
Walter Cunningham - Darryl Davis
The Radley Brothers - Stephen Cummings
Ensemble - Lynn McMullen
PRODUCTION:
Director - Vivienne McLaren
Assistant Director - Debbi Clarke
Director's Mentor - Daniel Craig
Stage Managers - Harriet Woodrow, Isabella O'Brien
Lighting / Set Design - Joshua Maxwell
Properties - Lynn McMullen
Costume Co-ordinator - Douglas Kent
Set Co-ordinator - Stephen McLaren
Schools Liaison - Ruth Crawley
Programme Design - Sophie Booth
LADIES DAY
by Amanda Whittington
August 18th-26th 2023
About the Show
“Work, love and life are one hard slog for the fish-filleting foursome Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda. Their luck changes when Linda finds tickets to Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot in York. Out go the hairnets and overalls as the girls do themselves up and head for the races”
The play is set in Hull and York, England, June 2005.
The action takes place over 3 days – Day 1 at work, Day 2 at the races (Royal Ascot), Day 3 back at work.
The ladies’ job is to weigh, trim and pack individual fillets of fish. The fish plant is cold and damp, the routine relentless.........
TWO WEEKS WITH THE QUEEN
By Mary Morris, adapted from the novel by Morris Gleitzman
Colin has a mission. He wants to speak to the Queen about his brother Luke, who has cancer. Cousin Alistair would like to help but stress brings on his dandruff.
Director: Joshua Maxwell
August 18th - 26th 2023
CAST:
Colin - Scott Russell
Luke - Matilda Delaware Lily Mae
Alistair - Gabrielle Brooks Rose Noble
Mum - Donna Cromer
Dad/Bob - Stephen McLaren
Aunty Iris - Ruth Jordon
Ted - TBC
Griff - Reuben Harris
Queen Elizabeth II - Vicki Southgate
COMPANY - Christine Wann, Riley Fenton, Cameron Oxley, Zara Taylor, Aaliyah Twynham.
THE FULL MONTY
by Simon Beaufoy
DIRECTED BY HOWARD OXLEY & DEBBI CLARKE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY DARREN DISNEY
Get Ready for Laughter, Camaraderie, Unforgettable Moments and an Ending Like No Other!
Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to!
This brand-new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the film with a Premiere Exclusive for the Central Coast. Experience the charm of Sheffield in the late 20th century. Immerse yourself in an era of blue-collar dreams and follow relatable characters as they navigate life's challenges and triumphs.
The Full Monty is a story full of heart. Right to the end, you'll be wondering if these lovable misfits will really pull it off. With a raucous mix of razor-sharp humour and toe-tapping pizzazz, you'll be on the edge of your seat, cheering for the characters as they journey toward an electrifying and uplifting climax.
Written by the brilliant Simon Beaufoy, this modern classic takes you on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of determination. Book now to relive the music of the 90's and have a great night out in the company of our group of lads as they work to put on the show of their lives.
CAST
GAZ Gerard Dunning
NATHAN Max Dunning
DAVE Gavin Fryer
LOMPER Steve Burchill
GUY Matthew Maroney
GERALD James Chambers
HORSE Duncan Mitchell
MANDY Rebecca Sharples
JEAN Stephanie Burton
LINDA Lynn McMullen
BARRY (and 4 other roles) Stuart Mortimer
SHARON (and 3 other roles) Donna Cromer
With thanks to Ros Ellis, Peter Deane and other long-time members of the Wyong Drama Group for the collation of this history.