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Nanneella thespian returns to stage with EMTC

Pete’s stage presence: Nanneella thespian Pete Gibson stars as Henry Benish and Lord Dudley. He is pictured with Lauren Douglas (who plays Violet Imbry and Diana Lassister). Photos: Tamara Cadd

Nanneella resident Pete Gibson is back on stage after a few years’ hiatus to star in Echuca-Moama Theatre Company’s latest production.

Play On! — a comedy by Rick Abbot — is about a cash-strapped community theatre group desperately trying to put on a play called Murder Most Foul, despite maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script.

Mr Gibson stars as Henry Benish and Lord Dudley in Murder Most Foul.

“The play is hilarious and I’m having a cracker of a time,” he said.

Act one is a rehearsal of the dreadful show, act two is the near disastrous dress rehearsal and the final act is the actual performance, in which anything that could go wrong, does.

Well-known Kyabram resident Tricia Deakin is co-directing alongside Lesley Robins in what will be their fourth play together.

“We really enjoy directing comedies as people can come and enjoy a show while having a few laughs,” Ms Deakin said.

“The cast members are really building their characters now and we are having so much fun together at rehearsals.”

Murder most funny: The cast of Play On! (from left) Ella Goulding (Marla ‘Smitty’ Smith and Doris the maid), Pete Gibson (Henry Benish and Lord Dudley), Suzanne Spencer (Polly Benish and Lady Margaret), Ben Harris (Billy Carewe and Stephen Sellers), Lauren Douglas (Violet Imbry and Diana Lassister), Samuel Kelly (Saul Watson and Dr Rex Forbes), Ivy Jensen (Louise Pearey), Kate Griffin (Gerry Dunbar), Honni Goulding (Aggie Manville) and Francie Finn (Phyllis Montague).

Five performances of Play On! will be held at Echuca’s The Foundry Arts Space in Murray Esplanade from August 17 to 20.

Venue seating will be cabaret-style with tables of six or 10 and patrons are invited to bring their own nibbles and drinks.

Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/EMTC-PlayOn