Actors from Australian stage and screen come to the Potato Shed this week to recreate award-winning play Hotel Sorrento.
The cast for the 28-year-old Australian play has a long list of acting credits on iconic TV dramas including Neighbours, House Husbands and Home and Away.
Dennis Coard, who had stints at ‘Summer Bay’ in the ’80s and more recently in Hollywood, was thrilled to bring the play to Drysdale this Friday and Saturday.
“This is such a funny yet moving show and we’re really enjoying the challenge of giving it a new energy,” he said.
Hannie Rayson wrote the 1990 play, which has won prestigious literary and theatre awards.
The play has toured internationally, in languages including Japanese, French and Swedish, and in 1995 the film version won several national awards.
Hotel Sorrento is a tale of three sisters reuniting in the normally quiet seaside town after 10 years apart.
What begins as a comedy, gives way to a familial drama of a family brought to the brink.
“While the story is set in Sorrento, it could just as easily reflect a family story from Portarlington or Barwon Heads,” Coard said.
“The secrets and the stories of the past suddenly become issues to face here and now.”
Denny Lawrence directs the play when it comes to Drysdale, in what will be HIT Productions’ 100th tour according to producer Christine Harris.
“I’m incredibly proud to be able to bring Hotel Sorrento to one of our favourite venues – the Potato Shed,“ she said.
“I couldn’t think of a better play to celebrate that milestone. (Hotel Sorrento is) heart-warming, funny, with a touch of dramatic mystery creating a classic Aussie story.”
Rayson looked forward to travelling down the Princes Highway too.
“I love coming to The Potato Shed. It’s a model of community theatre,” she said.
“It’s such a great environment that is beloved by the community and the repertoire for 2018 is terrific. I wish it was my local!”
Other members of the cast include Joanne Booth, Ruth Caro, Kim Denman and Mike Smith, who have appeared in plays touring Australia and on national TV.
Hotel Sorrento plays at the Potato Shed at 8pm Friday and 2pm Saturday.
