Theatre production gives glimpse of enemy invasion

Woy Woy Little Theatre's current production Dinkum Assorted will give audiences a glimpse of what it would be like to live through the threat of an enemy invasion, according to publicity officer Mr David Wicks.

"That threat was very real for many Australians during World War II: the surprise of the Darwin bombings; the undetected midget subs that threatened Sydney Harbour; and the idea that our Oceanic neighbours were the enemy," said Mr Wicks.

He said Australian playwright Linda Aronson had delved into the past and let her imagination run wild with the play, designed for more than a dozen females, and one billy goat.

The story concerned the staff in a biscuit factory, the Dinkum Assorted Biscuit Factory, based in a fictitious outback Queensland town, he said.

"Dinkum Assorted is a wild comedy with music, moods and mirth, set alongside some thought-provoking stories about women striving for personal and professional freedom.

"The play shows how the all-female cast factory workers fight to save the factory, run a Mum's Army Civil Defence Unit, put on a show for the War Effort and cope with the fact that two thousand US airmen have just been stationed outside town."

Dinkum Assorted is Woy Woy Little Theatre's second production for 2016 at the Peninsula Theatre, and the first to be directed by Fran Kendall since 2008 when she directed another Australian classic, Lipstick Dreams.

"Dinkum Assorted was a success from its opening night at the Sydney Opera House and has for many years been a perennial favourite across Australia because of its many fine parts for women," said Mr Wicks.

Woy Woy Little Theatre's cast includes Wendy de Beyer, Teanau Mason, Catie Elgood, Amelia Newell-Close, Chris Cherry, Lianne Haddock, Helen Herridge, Pamela Brown, Kathryn Peterson, Shea Wicks and Ann Wilden.

Bookings can be made through Woy Woy Little Theatre's website: woywoylt.com or phone 4344 4737 and leave a message after the beep.

The theatre's Box Office is also open between 10am and 12pm each Monday and Friday for personal bookings.

"There's already a strong demand for tickets as all matinees have been sold out for weeks," said Mr Wicks.

"However, there are still good seats available at most evening performances."

The remaining performance dates are: Friday and Saturday at 8pm on June 3 and 4.

Media release, 17 May 2016

David Wicks, Woy Woy Little Theatre