Looking ahead to 2023 at the theatre

Theatre will make a return in 2023 - here's what Peter Kemp knows so far. Picture: ON FILE.

Now it’s December and your local theatres have closed for the Festive Season. But no! Rehearsals for the new year are progressing.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre have forwarded their program for 2023.

The opening play is ‘Family Values’ by David Williamson and directed by Ian Frost.

Season: 9 – 25 February. Matinees: Sundays 12 and 18 and Saturday 25 February.

Show number two is ‘Barefoot in the Park’ written by Neil Simon and directed by Pip Le Blond.

Season: 20 April – 8 May. Matinees: Sundays 23 and 30 and Saturday 6 May.

Play number three is ‘Switzerland’ written by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Helen Ellis.

Season: 28 June – 15 July. Matinees: Sundays July 2 and 9 and Saturday 15 July.

Play number four is ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare’ (abridged) (revised) (again) written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield and directed by K.J. Amey.

Season: 7 – 23 September. Matinees: Sundays 10 and 17 and Saturday 23 September.

Play number five is ‘Fracked! Or Please don’t use the F-word’ written by Alistair Beaton and directed by Alan Burrows.

Season: 16 November – 2 December. Matinees: Sundays November 19 and 20 and Saturday 2 December.

Bookings: 9735 1777 Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, office hours 10am to 2pm.

CPP Community Theatre has advised your correspondent that congratulations are in order for the cast of their opening show for 2023.

The show, ‘Sense and Sensibility’ adapted by Kate Hamill and based on the novel by Jane Austen.

Directed by Kathryn White, the performance season is from 14 April – 22 April.

The company can’t wait to jump into rehearsals and bring this new production to life. The company asks that you stay up to date with rehearsals by visiting the Facebook and Instagram pages.

Maroondah Festival

On a rather warm and sunny day, and after a long hiatus, the much-loved Maroondah Festival was back in full force earlier this month. A group of volunteers welcomed and spoke to lots of people perusing the festival, handing out flyers for the upcoming information night for Sense and Sensibility and talking up CPP. The team also handed out Oliver and Sense and Sensibility colouring sheets for the kids (and big kids) and a number of people signed up for the mailing list. It was such a wonderful opportunity to really showcase who CPP are and what the community means to them. A very big thanks to Fee Rosel, Robyn Dalton, Jenny Gay, Cassie Quinlan, Helen Taylor and Steph Vawser for volunteering their time. The CPP A Cappella choir is going to be bigger and better than ever next year. CPP will be aiming to increase its performances throughout the year so please keep this in mind if you would like to join in the fun. If you would like to be involved, or have any questions get in touch with CPP Community Theatre at 0447 014 584 between 1pm amd 3pm.