The Merry Wives of Thredbo

After an unexpected hiatus last year, the wonderful tradition of amateur performances of the old bard’s comedy plays continued last night. The Thredbo Players performed their opening night of season 2010 with Shakespeare’s play The Merry Wives of Windsor but in their own shortened, intensified, localised and very funny adaptation as The Merry Wives of Thredbo.

A comfortable crowd settled in and prepared for the entertaining evening to follow. It was beautifully cool in the shade from what had been one of Thredbo’s hottest days. I recorded 30C inside at 6pm.

Unlike previous plays, there was no set and very few props but they were not missed. Some actors were identifiably suited to their roles and many a line seemed far more appropriate to Thredbo than could ever have been the case in Windsor. There were many new faces in the troupe with past masters having retired or moved on. It was great to see the new faces take to their roles with such vigour and I hope this trend continues.

There are still two more performances in Thredbo on the Village Green next Monday, 18th January and the following Monday, January 25th. After that there are 2 performances at the Yacht Club in Jindabyne and the final one in Berridale. More details when I get them.

I strongly urge you to check it out. Take a seat or rug, take your favourite beverage and some food, insect repellent, something warm for when it gets dark and make a picnic evening of it. Time is 6:30pm for 7pm start. Get in early for best possie.

The scene is set on the Thredbo Village Green

Tom Waits would have been proud. The show begins...

Whilst the cast, awaiting call, sit amongst the crowd

The prompter helped with any first night lapses of the 17,000 words

The backdrop was only as Thredbo could provide

Any thought the play was about Brett is pretty correct ;-)

As the evening progressed first night nerves rapidly disappeared

The cast were enjoying it at least as much as we, the audience, were

Dusk turned to night and my camera’s shortcomings were noticeable

A performance well done and most enjoyable

Thanks to all the crew for a most entertaining evening, the audience for being there, the ducks for not fouling the grass and the greens keeper for a comfy seat.

Apologies if I omitted anyone in my photos above. I'm sure you will be amongst the 160 odd snaps that I'm passing on.

My only grump (what would a report be without a grump?) was the distinct lack of advertising (prior notice) of when and where the show was being held. KT should have it on their events web page at least if not on their home page.

Next year I will try to broadcast the schedule on Twitter and RRR if someone tells me in advance.

PS: The next instalment of Rosco's adventures in Japan will be coming soon.