Cast members Amanda Lay, Peta Townend, Claire Marchesi, Paul Hynes and Diana Gogulski. Photo by Adelle O’Connell.
Whether you like your spuds baked, mashed or fried, The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race is sure to whet your appetite. Mates Theatre Genesis, affectionately known as MATES, will bring Melanie Tait’s warm-hearted script to life, from January 24 to February 1 at the Donald Simpson Centre, Cleveland.
Inspired by a true story, the play follows Dr. Penny Anderson, who returns to her childhood town of Appleton and is outraged to discover the huge disparity in prize money for the town’s famous Potato Race – $1000 for men; only $200 for women. Penny takes a stand, launching a campaign to bring equality to the Appleton Show.
A fun-filled comedy about community, family, and standing up for what’s right, The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race portrays a colourful cast of Aussie characters. Directed by Adelle O’Connell and Assistant Director Traci Sumpter, the production features Amanda Lay as Penny, a self-confessed misfit; Peta Townend as her cousin Nikki, the Potato Race champion; Diana Gogulski as the old-fashioned Appleton Show President, Bev; Claire Marchesi as Barb, the town’s social lubricant with a secret; Rhea Basha as Rania, a newly arrived Syrian immigrant; and Paul Hynes as the Radio Announcer and commentator who aptly describes the annual event as, “The race that makes heroes out of men. Gods out of potato farmers”.
Expect a ‘spudtacular’ show full of creative and ingenuous surprises! Working with a modest production budget, Prop master Diana Gogulski, has turned discarded materials into works of art – harissa cake made from a memory foam pillow, goat curry from polystyrene packaging, and potatoes crafted by stuffing old stockings. One potato, two potato, three potato, four…she’ll be stuffing until there’s plenty more!
For tickets and more information, visit: www.matestg.org.au.
