Fond memories from Griffith's pioneers will be brought to life at Griffith Regional Theatre on Tuesday, where teenage actors will re-enact real stories from our history.
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We Have a Stove is a play based on letters and records dug up from the dusty archives of Pioneer Park Museum, Griffith Regional Library, and Griffith Genealogical and Historical Society.
It's written and directed by history buff and theatre enthusiast Bonnie Owen, who has been trawling the archives to capture what it was like living in ye olden days when Griffith was known as Bagtown.
It was a simpler time before the days of internet, back when a Fortnite referred to a period of time spanning 14 days.
Miss Owen said she had the time of her life casting the teenagers from the Senior Youth Theatre Troupe into the roles of the early settlers and their families.
"I know these kids, so I was able to write these roles specifically for them," Miss Owen said.
"I know the history, I know the theatre, and I know these kids, so I was able to combine the three."
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Emily Laurent is one of the young actors who will be recreating the magic of the early 20s on the stage.
"We've been rehearsing this whole term, and I'm really excited," Emily said.
Simon Cain-McAliece has been getting into character as an annoying schoolboy, and has taken to his role like a fish to water.
"I'm dawdling behind somebody who's trying to get to school and I'm just being a pain," Simon said.
Griffith Regional Theatre manager Raina Savage has been watching the play come together, and she said it had been a big team effort.
"This has been a great opportunity to collaborate across our cultural facilities," Ms Savage said.
"The young actors bring to life letters and historic documents from the Museum's collection, giving us a glimpse into the everyday lives of the early settlers."
We Have a Stove is at Griffith Regional Theatre on at 7.30pm on Tuesday, and tickets can be bought at the box office, at their website, or by phone on 6962 8444.
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
