Barefoot in the Park at Melville Theatre

Barefoot in the Park at Melville Theatre

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Posted 2016-08-15 by grooverfollow

Fri 02 Sep 2016 - Sat 17 Sep 2016


A classic romantic comedy about two newlyweds learning to live together, despite being polar opposites, comes to Melville Theatre this September. Written by Neil Simon and directed by Trevor Dhu, Barefoot in the Park follows Paul, an aspiring but conservative lawyer, and his wife Corie, a loving, free-spirited enthusiast for life.

They move from the giddy joy of a honeymoon at New York's Plaza Hotel into the crazy reality of married life in a tiny fifth-floor Manhattan apartment with no heating system or lift. Corie wants Paul to become more easy-going, such as being willing to run "barefoot in the park".

Winner of a Tony Award for best comedy, Simon also adapted his script into a 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. The playwright is also famous for The Odd Couple, Lost in Yonkers, Sweet Charity, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers and Biloxi Blues, among many others.

Trevor said, after a period of investing in dramatic plays, he felt it was time to do a comedy. "I was watching a director friend putting a comedy together and I suggested the cast were missing the punchlines and comedic intent," he said.


"But then I thought it had been a while since I'd done a comedy, so what gave me the right make such suggestions? I wondered if I could do it again. Barefoot in the Park made me laugh when I read it so I was sold."

Involved in the performing arts for as long as he can remember, Trevor has worked with Patch and Playhouse Theatres, Perth City Ballet and did extensive professional work with the Australian Dance Theatre in the eastern states.

More recently, he has directed, choreographed and acted in various productions at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre – most notably West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar – and also performed and directed at Harbour, Roleystone, Old Mill and Melville Theatres. Last year, Trevor directed Summer of the Seventeenth Doll at the Old Mill Theatre, winner of several Milly Awards, as well as the acclaimed Closer a few months ago.

"With Barefoot in the Park, there are a few challenges including making sure the comedic timing is right and ensuring the cast have a full understanding of the comedic premises," he said. "It's also important to add special features that will add extra highlights for the audience."


Georgina Hamer plays Corie. "She is a newlywed desperate to be the perfect wife and partner to her husband Paul," Georgina said. "She's kooky, confident, vivacious and eccentric – but her personality is the complete opposite to Paul, the strait-laced love of her life."Although she's determined to make their new home a love nest and marriage haven, she's not willing to sacrifice who she is as a person nor conform to some of Paul's ideals and standards."

The main challenge, according to Georgina, is keeping a straight face. "The other actors who are part of this experience all bring something hysterical to their roles so I'm finding it hard not to break out into smiles or laughs during rehearsals," she said.

Making her debut at the Old Mill Theatre in the early 2000s in A Chorus Line, Georgina has also appeared at Stirling Theatre in Seussical The Musical and the Dolphin Theatre in Greenwicks, which received two Finley Award nominations. She also won Storm The Stage in 2004 when it was a statewide competition and has also performed at Sydney's Star Casino. More recently, Georgina appeared in the acclaimed Closer at the Old Mill Theatre, also directed by Trevor Dhu.

"Having just worked with Trevor, I was intrigued to work with him and his directing style on something a little less controversial and humorous," she said. "Corie is a fascinating character and she has many traits that I consider much like me."

Barefoot in the Park plays at 8pm September 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 with a 2pm matinee September 11. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au . Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.

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!date 02/09/2016 -- 17/09/2016
%wnperth
149777 - 2023-06-14 03:27:55

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