Three days of solstice theatre

Alex de Vos
THIS year’s Winter Solstice Festival might lack the traditional pagan rituals from days of yore but will make up for it with plenty of mulled wine to take the edge off the bone-aching winter chill.
Theatre 3Triple2 president Justyn Rowe said the Drysdale event, which leads up to the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, would also feature two plays, roving musicians, fire pits and colourful decorations.
“It’s an opportunity to bring meaning to the weekend for people who are cold and stuck inside the house,” the veteran producer said.
“The event will have a real festival atmosphere – there’ll be wandering musicians entertaining people before the plays, mulled wine and some great. hard-hitting plays.”
The three-day solstice celebration begins with a performance of the one-act play Boxing Day.
Written by Bruce Olive and directed by Rowe, the dark comedy would take audiences on an emotional roller coaster ride.
“There are some poignant moments and also great big belly laugh moments,” Rowe explained.
“It’s about an average suburban lifestyle that will make you question what’s happening behind the scenes of your next door neighbour’s house.”
The event continues with The Proposal, a contemporary comedy in which love prevails despite every obstacle.
“It’s about an extraordinary proposal between two extraordinary people,” Rowe said.
He told the Independent he couldn’t wait to unveil this season’s productions at Drysdale’s Potato Shed.
“People will be blown away by the quality of local performers,” he said.
“I have immense respect for community theatre – we manage to pull off some really good quality work with limited resources.
“Community theatre has the knack of bringing out some amazing talents and discovering some amazing playwrights.”
Rowe urged budding actors and playwrights interested in joining a community theatre group to contact Theatre 3Triple2.
“Our theatre company is based around the idea of fostering young and immerging talent right across performing arts,” he said.
“If you have a great idea or project we’re interested in hearing from you.”
The event starts 8pm this Friday and continues until 8pm Saturday before a matinee curtain-closer 2pm Sunday.
“Come and see two contrasting plays with dark threads, drink mulled wine, enjoy live foyer entertainment and celebrate a new season with us,” Rowe said.
He urged anyone seeking more information about Theatre 3Triple2 to visit www.3triple2.org.