Shades of MATES - the light and shade of drama, music and comedy

FOUNDATION member of MATES Theatre Society, Marnie Went, has arranged a selection of big songs from big movies to bridge the light and shade of drama and comedy in the group’s current production Shades of MATES.

The popular Redlands’ community theatre society encourage their patrons to experience the light and shade of drama, music and comedy this winter and book a ticket for their current show Shades of MATES.

Shades of MATES will incorporate the three theatrical aspects which have made the group successful in the Redlands for nineteen years – a history spanning forty-nine productions.

Audiences will be treated to two; one-act plays; beginning with the drama The Eulogy which is being directed by Ray Noonan.

The Eulogy deals with the complex relationship that exists between a mother and son, as son Russell – played by Steve Briant – pays a visit to his mother Meredith – a role being played by Maree Grzegolec.

Russell surprises his mother with a preview of the eulogy that he plans to deliver at her funeral; this uncomfortable exercise unearths dark family secrets that completely transform their mother-son relationship.

Combining light moments and sad ones, this show is a one-act, power drama that explores the notions of: does anyone really know what goes on inside people’s minds, and how many people keep secrets from those they love.

Lightening the mood of the evening, Mark Harrison will direct the second, one-act play which is an all-female comedy titled The Ladybirds.

The Ladybirds tells the story of a village drama group that has lost all of its men, and the future looks bleak until a bright, young director named Francesca Delmarco agrees to help out.

Her plan is to give the group a new lease on life with a controversial, one-act play she has written herself; however when word gets out the wife of the local vicar attempts to ban the production and this causes the ladies of the Upper Plumtree Players to deal with this misguided authority in their own way.

To bridge the light and shade of drama and comedy Marnie Went has brought together a quartet of the group’s singers who will perform a selection of big songs from big movies.

Marnie featured as part of the Candlelight Ceremony at the 2009 Relay For Life, and is one of only three members of MATES who have been with the group for all of its nineteen year history.

You, the valued patrons of MATES Theatre Society, are to be congratulated for supporting our previous production of Strictly Murder in such great numbers.

We look forward to welcoming you and your friends again to our production of Shades of MATES, sharing in a night of quality, local entertainment for under $30.

In these difficult times, now more than ever, MATES Theatre Society takes this opportunity to remind you that the spirit of MATES is priceless and we always feel it is privilege to share it with you.