Eumundi Voice - Issue 100, 22 August 2024

I’m Home at Noosa Arts Darling!

Noosa Arts Theatre's next production turns the concept of the typical 1950s household on its head. Equality of sexes, women’s liberation and feminism were then unheard-of concepts.

TV ‘sit-coms’ present family life as one of happiness, kindness and everyone loving their role. Most women were dismissed on marriage: “A woman’s place is in the home.”

The portrayal of leisurely days and socialising

was a fantasy and Laura Wade’s Olivier Award winning comedy Home, I’m Darling, looks at whether the ‘good old days’ were better than today.

Tania Nash is an audience favourite as actor and director. She has gathered an excellent cast including Deb Ellison, a professional dancer who travelled the world.

Deb’s first appearance at Noosa Arts was in a pantomime with Tania. After a busy few years performing elsewhere, she returned last year winning Best Actress in the One Act Play Festival.

Deb relishes the role of Judy and said the camaraderie with Tania, cast and crew makes “each rehearsal feels like a family gathering.”

Sean McDermott plays the patient husband Johnny, who realises not everything is as it seems and maybe modern life with less time on his hands and more money is preferable. UK born Sean has been acting since his first performance as a child in Oliver! Dancing, singing and acting lessons led to several lead roles in musicals. Since arriving in Noosa in 2008 he played Mickey in Blood Brothers, several roles at Coolum and wowed audiences as Bert in the Noosa Arts production of Mary Poppins.

Other cast members are Alison Venning, Sepi Burgiani, Poppy Benaud, Sam Sauders and Director’s Assistant Harvey Wolfe.

Previewing at the Noosa Arts Theatre on 12 September and running on the evenings of 13, 19&20 September and matinees on 14, 15, 21&22 September with a Charity Night for Tewantin Noosa Lions Club on 18 September. Visit: noosaartstheatre.org.au or phone 5449 9343 between 10am-2pm. Eileen Walder

Deb Ellison and Sean McDermott in rehearsal