A couple of months ago I held my breath and ventured to the local theatre only to find myself very impressed with Hervey Bay’s Z-Pac Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
In fact, the show was so remarkable I wonder if it set the bar too high for subsequent productions.
I know it’s kinda tragic but I’m a HUGE Agatha Christie fan – something I’ve confessed to in my Debbish blog. So, it was with great excitement that I went along to Z-Pac’s A Murder is Announced during its current season.
And… I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed.
Most of the cast were great, with Lorraine Lee’s Bunny, Brownwyn Bennett’s Mitzi and the younger cast the standouts.
I met Director Ken Lee at an arts event a month or so before the play and he mentioned the difficulty in translating Christie’s work for the stage. Perhaps that was partially the problem. It all seemed a little clunky to me and my friends and I agreed we were holding our breath on occasions, lest the actors forget their words or fluff their lines.
As I have a memory like a sieve and lack the confidence required to perform for an audience I have nothing but admiration for all of the cast and crew. So, while not having the panache of Z-Pac’s earlier Earnest, A Murder is Announced made for an entertaining evening out and I don’t feel the need to discount the local theatre anytime soon.
Hi Deb
I agree with you that it was slightly disappointing, although Lorraine Lee, Bronwyn Bennett and the younger cast were standouts.
I admire anyone brave enough to stand up on stage and will be in the audience to see the next ZPAC production.
For amateur performers they are pretty darned good
Pam, I certainly agree… in fact I was surprised how bashful and shy the actors looked as they took their final bows (having reverted to themselves).
I find it just amazing that ‘people in the neighbourhood’ (to steal the line from Sesame Street!) get up and do that night after night.