World premiere and classic Coward comedy all in one night

Melville Theatre is presenting two very different comedies this February – the world premiere of an award-winning author’s short story and a classic from British playwright Noel Coward. Martin Lindsay’s Someone Called Rob was featured in the book Best Australian Stories 2012 and he has now adapted it for the stage. Jeffrey Hansen is directing the comedy, which explores the miscommunication and subsequent paranoia that can occur from a simple mistake. “It's a great opportunity to work with the playwright and hone the new work – we originally had an informal read-through, out of which came quite a few changes to the script,” he said. Lindsay said the story evolved from an incident at a friend’s birthday drinks. “A couple of girls were already three sheets to the wind when I arrived and one gate-crashed another group, leaving some dodgy comment on a birthday card along with her mobile number for some reason best known to herself,” he said. “She subsequently received an angry call the next day, so lord knows what had been written. “From there, I wondered where things might go if a particularly aggressive boyfriend had seen a flirty birthday card comment from another guy with a phone number.” Noel Coward’s Hands Across The Sea, directed by Tarryn Bullock, will join Lindsay’s play as part of a double-bill. Set in 1936, a couple invite so many people to a cocktail party they can’t remember who they have invited, leading to cases of mistaken identity and confusion all round. “Though written in the mid-1930s, the humour is transferable to the present because it’s a comical reflection of human foolishness and imperfections,” Bullock said. “I have always loved British comedy and find great pleasure in the humour of playwrights such as Noel Coward and Oscar Wilde. “I chose this particular play from Coward’s series Tonight at 8:30 because of its simple humour, historical setting and continuing relevance to today’s audience – some of his other short plays have dated somewhat.” Someone Called Rob and Hands Across The Sea play at 8pm, February 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 with a 2pm matinee February 10. Tickets are $18, $14 concession – book on 9330 4565 or email bookings@meltheco.org.au. Please note: Someone Called Rob contains language some people may find offensive. Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra. More information is available at www.meltheco.org.au.