It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To

It’s My Party (and I’ll Die If I Want To) is a very funny black comedy about a dysfunctional family, presented by Huon Valley Theatre Inc. Written by Elizabeth Coleman, of Secret Bridesmaids’ Business and long-running television drama series McLeod's Daughters fame,

It’s My Party puts the average conflicted family in the shade: audience members roll about with laugher as they recognise their own family foibles. The party is called by Ron Patterson who only has 111 minutes to live. He invites his adult children around for drinks and nibbles and some belated quality time. He attempts to tie up the loose ends of his life in less than two hours. Rod Gray gives a wonderful performance as the bigoted, self-centred insensitive patriarch, calling upon all of his comedy experience. We witness all the juicy hang-ups, neuroses and other quirks of a dysfunctional family, as Ron stumbles from one tactless, bigoted and insensitive observation to the next.

His wife Dawn (Elizabeth Connor) is patient, loving and still in love her husband, while being tolerant of her children and their different life choices. Their only son Michael (Martin Conlan) has recently “come out”; daughter Debbie (Cherie Howard) has decided to have a child out of wedlock, and youngest daughter Karen (Teresa Dikkenberg) is in the middle of arranging her own fancy and excessive wedding. Elizabeth Connor has returned to the stage after an absence of decades. Her role as the beleaguered wife and tolerant mother is ably assisted by other performers, who capably deliver the deliciously believable dialogue. 

Balancing the story is the undertaker, played by Huon Valley Theatre stalwart Zeb Direen. Still in his teens, veteran actor Zeb’s talent and appreciation for comic timing is obvious in "It’s My Party (And I'll Die If I Want To)".

As usual for Huon Valley Theatre productions, sets and costumes add to the atmosphere: a plain but functional 50’s-style room with three exits is used expertly by the cast in this well-timed comedy. Lighting and sound also add to the comedic effect, as all sound effects are delivered on time. Director Mike Fewings, who acted in the play many years ago, showed his respect for the writer and enjoyment of the dialogue: a family in crisis is a perfect source of comedy.

Hilariously good fun!

Merlene Abbott

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