The Appleton Ladies Potato Race

The Appleton Ladies Potato Race is a thoroughly enjoyable dip into the lives of women in a small country town, their hopes and their grievances. Change can be hard for many; these women are no different, yet they have big hearts that allow them to meet challenges and to open up to reconciling differences. The race, where participants carry a bag of spuds on their shoulders, is more than just a race: it is a potential scene of conflict between the sexes, the established community members and new members, and history and what we can make of the future.

The set, designed by Michael Scott-Mitchell, is compact and imaginative. The ubiquitous ute is pride of place and like its real world counterpart, much happens around it. It is elegantly combined with lighting design by Karen Norris that encourages the flow of action and imaginative sound design by Tegan Nicholls.

Each woman in the play is different, expressive, and capable of being empathised with. Surely anyone who has lived in a small town can remember a Bev Armstrong, prickly from a hard life (played by Valerie Bader). Coming from the big smoke with “citified” ideas, Dr Penny Armstrong is played by Sharon Millerchip, sympathetically showing her inner connection to the community.

Rania Hamid is a bright spark of energy played by Sapidah Kian, bringing gravitas and emotional depth from a different perspective. Barb Ling is marvellously played by Merridy Eastman. Nikki Armstrong, old school friend of Penny, is played by Amber McMahon with humour and affection.

Rachel McGrath-Kerr

Photographs of current cast members from the original Ensemble Theatre season by photographer Phil Erbacher.

Click here to read an extract and buy your copy of the script of The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race.