REVLON GIRL SPARKLES

Written by British playwright Neil Anthony Docking and directed by Natasha Boyd, this emotion-evoking, uplifting show is playing until March 4 at Brighton Theatre.

Based on a true story, the play is set in June, 1967, eight months after the Aberfan Disaster in Wales, where 144 people were killed, including 116 children.

A small group of mothers, each courageously dealing with losing a child, meet regularly in the village pub.

A sparky, glamorous, well-meaning Revlon representative invited to visit the village, aims to help raise the women's spirits with 'life-changing make-up'.

As the women gradually share their stories. Docking's clever script entwines historical details with personal recollections of the tragic event.

The shared emotions, reflections and laughter become powerfully transformative for the five women, and the audience.

Congratulations to actors Kaila Michael (Marilyn), Tanya Wade (Rona) and Casey Bohan (Jean), whose terrific naturalistic performances immerse the audience in their stories.

Expressive Jessica Symonds is outstanding as the Revlon representative, listening intently to the women's reflections, often reacting silently, and stoically upbeat until revealing her own fragility.

Local Theatre

Shows

■ The 1812 Theatre: Confusions (by Alan Ayckbourn) (a series of five one-act plays, featuring the same cast) Until March 4 in The Lowe Auditorium, The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Chris Procter and five other directors. Bookings: https://www.1812theatre.com.au/.../2023-season/confusions/

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Ladykillers (by Graham Linehan) Until March 4 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Chris McLean. Bookings: 9457 4117 or emailboxoffice@ htc.org.au.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Revlon Girl (by Neil Anthony Docking) Until March 4 at the Brighton Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Natasha Boyd. Bookings: www.brightontheatre.com.au

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Effect (by Lucy Prebble) Until March 4 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Claire Abagia. Bookings: 9587 5141 or www.mordialloctheatre.com

■ CPAC Musical Theatre: Jersey Boys Musical Until March 11 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham. Director: Lee Geraghty; Choreographers: Ashlee Holdsworth; Nicole Everitt; Musical Director: Kent Ross. Bookings: cpacmusicaltheatre.com

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Ladies’ Day (by Amanda Whittington) Until March 4 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Two and Two Together (by Derek Benfield) Until March 5 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Fortune’s Fools (by Fredrick Stroppel) Until March 4 at Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Audrey Farthing. www.stagtheatre.org

■ The Mount Players: The 39 Steps (by John Buchan) (adapted by Patrick Barlow, Nobbie Dimon and Simon Corble) A play for radio adapted and directed by John Rowland. Until March 12 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: John Rowland. Bookings: www.themountplayers. com

■ Wonthaggi Theatrical Group : School of Rock the Musical, March 3 – 18 at 7.30pm at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, 96 Graham St., Wonthaggi. Bookings: wtg.org.au

■ Gemco Players (A Gemco in the Park Production): Much Ado About Nothing (by William Shakespeare) March 3 at 6.30pm; March 19 at 6.30pm at the Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre, Emerald Lake Park, Emerald Lake Rd., Emerald. Director: Sharon Maine. If weather is unsuitable for outdoor performance, the show will be presented at The Gem, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Bookings: www.gemcoplayers.org

■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Encore (showcase concert), March 4 at 7.30pm at the Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson St., Williamstown. Seating at tables. All tickets $40. www.wmtc.org.au

■ Theatrical.: Green Day’s American Idiot, March 9 – 26 at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran. www.theatrical.com.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: Theatre Trivia, March 10 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Eltham. Director: James Chappel. Bookings: www.elthamlittle theatre.org.au

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Puffs (Two Act edition by Matt Cox) March 10 – 25 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Directors: Dan Bellis and Kristina Doucouliagos. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au

■ Off the Leash Theatre: The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later March 16 – 18 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. www.offtheleashtheatre.com.au

■ SLAMS Musical Theatre Company: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. March 17 – 25 at Knox Community Arts Centre, Cnr Mountain Hway and Scoresby Rd., Bayswater. Director: Justin Cleaver; Vocal Director: Julia Roper; Band Director: Glen Barnett; Choreographer/Ass’t. Director: Natasha Harvey. Bookings: www.slams.org.au or 0412 605 182.

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