Two Tales of a River

The recent floods in Huonville Tasmania were an interesting reminder of the power of nature.  The latest production by the Huon Valley Theatre group is two stories, one-act musical plays, both telling of life on and around the Huon River and set in the 1850s.

The Tale of Betsy the Boat Girl written by Richard Davey in 1981 and The Tale of Paddy and Monwell written by Darren Hayden in about 2014 have both benefitted from the writing and theatrical experience of Liz Connor. Director Rod Gray created two lively, fast moving plays with a large ensemble of new and experienced performers.

The first tale, about Betsy Walton, a real boat girl working on the river over 150 years ago, had Olivia Bittner (Betsy) and Monica Robbie (Emily) as the female hero’s who won the race. The filmic action, creating impact and immediacy, added to lovely sets, including production paintings by Meta Forward, and appropriate costumes and props, integrated well with the actors on stage to advance the stories.

The second tale is fictional, and grew out of a desire by long-time Huon Valley Theatre member Darren Hayden to make a musical out of the connection the river was to the daily lives of Huon Valley residents. Stuart Nicholls (young Paddy), Alisha Foggo (Catherine) and David Brannigan (old Paddy) are characters in The Tale of Paddy and Monwell. Film sequences also add to the narrative.

Thesupportive and enthusiastic cast of twenty four, plus stage and production crew, reminds us yet again that Huon Valley Theatre productions include and encompass those who audition. All members, whether they are experienced performers or newcomers, have a chance to be involved.

Director Rod Gray With Mike Raine, AV production and production coordinator, and the musical support of Claire Bond, Ailsa Nicholls, Jeff Conolan and Miranda Wageman, the show was well paced.

True community theatre where the sense of teamwork and love of theatre shows. Great fun!

Merlene Abbott