Dimboola

You’re invited to the wedding of the year… on stage!

GROOVY Boots Theatre is bringing an Australian classic to the stage this October with Jack Hibberd’s highly-popular play Dimboola.

Set at an Australian country wedding in the late 1960s, two families have a little too much to drink at the celebrations – and a variety of spontaneous songs, insults and fisticuffs are the result.

Directed by Phil Barnett and Chris Thomas, the two have set up Groovy Boots Theatre as an independent production company to bring Dimboola to life as a professional show.

Thomas performed in Dimboola 17 years ago and believed the time was right for a new audience to experience it.

“There’s something so quintessentially Australian about Dimboola and the way it portrays how families react to each other at weddings,” he said.

“Weddings have the capacity to bring out the worst in people, despite the fact they’re supposed to be happy occasions, as old family feuds, jealousies and rivalries are brought to life – usually helped along by alcohol.

“Dimboola is obviously an exaggeration of what can happen but given it was written more than 40 years ago, it still holds up today as a mirror of real life.”

Barnett said the motivation behind Groovy Boots Theatre and Dimboola was to “try something different”.

“It’s said that more Australians have seen Dimboola than any other musical, comedy or play in the past 40 years and it’s a play that really does embrace audience involvement.

“Given the wedding setting, the audience is incorporated as if they’re part of the reception, also receiving a three-course meal as the play progresses through the evening.”

While a bowling club may not be a traditional venue for theatre performances, Thomas and Barnett believe it suits Dimboola perfectly.

“Country weddings are often held in town halls, RSL clubs and similar venues, so the Victoria Park Bowling Club is an ideal setting for show,” Thomas said.

“You wouldn’t be able to set out the audience as part of the wedding reception if it was done in a traditional theatre venue.”

Featuring: Aaron Skinner, Adelaide Buchanan, Robert Whyte, Maree Grayden, Graeme Johnson,  Laila Gampfer, Ben Anderson, Michael Ferrari, Michelle Berg, Olivia Naumovski, Tim Prosser, Bree Vreedenburgh, Francesca Meehan, Michael Dornan, Chris Thomas.

Performing: October 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23
Venue:  Victoria Park Bowling Club - 18 Kent St, Victoria Park
(between Albany Hwy & Berwick St)
Time: Show + meal commences 8pm
Doors and bar open 7pm

All Tickets: $38.50  includes 3 course meal  (no concessions)

Dinner:  soup, roast w. veg + trimmings, followed by dessert.
There will be a vegetarian lasagne for vegetarians, which will need to be requested on arrival on the night.

Tables: Between 8-14 on a table. (tables may be shared)
There is a licensed bar, no byo.

Bookings: TAZ TIX 9255 3366  BOOK ONLINE
transaction fees apply