AN iceberg is pressing on the glass and homeless refugees are beating at the door.
The Skin of Our Teeth, a play written in 1947 by Thornton Wilder, tackling issues relevant to today, will be read by anyone in the community who wants to join in, at the Maleny Showgrounds Playhouse on Friday, December 30.
Maleny Players offers an open playreading to all comers on the final Friday of each month. These morning playreadings have been attracting a growing group of readers over the past two years under the leadership of local writer Jill Morris. A wide variety of plays have been performed (by unprepared reading), together forming a history of theatre, from Goldsmith in the 18th century to several playwrights from the 20th and 21st centuries, including new plays by local writers.
Playwrights from all centuries focus on the issues of their time. The Skin of Our Teeth from 1947 tackles the survival of nations after World War II, the plight of refugees and the threat of global climate change.
Normally, such an activity landing on Friday December 30 would be cancelled. “I realised that many people still like arts involvement in that holiday stretch between Christmas and New Year,” Jill said. “Locals and visitors find themselves alone at this time of year, so I decided to offer a playreading – despite the date. The advantage of this special time is that we can extend into the afternoon.”
Drama students are very welcome, as The Skin of Our Teeth offers young people several attractive parts: two teenage children of the Arbuthnot family, as well as a troupe of carnival performers entertaining crowds at Atlantic City boulevard.
“I’m aiming at our first Intergenerational Playreading,” Jill said. “The reading is non-threatening and we are going to have time for readers to read ahead before reading in character.”
The gathering will begin at 9.30am and end at 2pm. The cost will be $5, with tea and coffee supplied. Soft drinks available for purchase. BYO morning biscuits or lunch sandwiches to share.
To RSVP or for more details phone Jill Morris on 0427 624 090.
