Since 2014, the Acorn Players have produced and performed several one-act melodramas, plays or musicals to the delight of their predominantly “mature age” audiences.

The Acorn Players comprised members of the committee of Liviende-Veranto (Li-Ve) and creative friends, all with varying degrees of theatre and musical experience!

Each production involved collaborative contributions from the players whose ages ranged from 60 to 80 years. Each performance was a fully rehearsed reading.

Each production was combined with a morning tea and the purposes of each event were:

• To raise funds for people supported by Li·Ve Tasmania who are living with a disability, or for the Howrah Auxiliary of the Royal Hobart Hospital
• To provide a fun, affordable and entertaining morning for many older persons living in our community
• To enhance creative aging by enabling senior players to explore new theatrical experiences.

PROGRAM

MC: Rogan Brown

1. The Cook and the Chef

Written by: Fay Gregory, Philip Crouch

Maggie: Fay Gregory

Simon: Philip Crouch

2. Let it Be

Audience sing-along

Accompanist: Cheryl Blackwell

3. Too Many Choices

Written and Directed by: Philip Crouch

Waiter: Denis Hawkey

Dorothy: Maureen McDonald

Betty: Bronwyn Brown

4. Mamma Mia:

Audience sing-along

Accompanist: Cheryl Blackwell

5. Don’t Go in the Kitchen

Written by: Scott Hunt

Directed by: Rogan Brown

Jennifer: Jacqui Crouch

Jeffrey: Philip Crouch

Company: Acorn Players

Date: 2 October 2019

Venue: Eastside Lutheran College Hall

Company: Acorn Players/Howrah Royals

Date: 8 April 2019

Venue: Howrah Community Centre

CAST/CREW

Walter Davis: Garry Harradence

Dave Fevola: Denis Hawkey

Doreen Dumont: Maureen McDonald

Pommie Frank: Philip Crouch

Ramadishi Swami: Philip Crouch

Hilary Loveday: Robin Hawkey

Buffey Wanton: Jacqui Crouch

Joyce Green: Bronwyn Brown

Rebecca Swiftly: Lynnette Bertram

Accompanist: Cheryl Blackwell

Production/Visuals: Rogan Brown

The Grey Power lawn bowlers from Toowoomba, Queensland, are celebrating winning their pennants by holidaying on a ‘Last Resort Tour’ of Tasmania.

The bowlers are an eclectic mix of women and men who create mayhem and chaos, along with indulging in uninvited sing-a-longs. Dave has the unenviable job of acting as guide and coach captain, responding to the idiosyncrasies of his

passengers. An unscheduled stop at Liawenee for a passenger making a mobile phone call creates further problems when a non-paying backpacker tricks her way on board the coach after, supposedly, losing all her clothes.

How will this coach journey end? Can Dave eventually manage some semblance of order?

Or is it simply the last resort for all on board?

SYNOPSIS

2019

2018

Company: Acorn Players

Date: 28 November 2018

Venue: Eastside Lutheran College Hall

Written by: Barry Masters

Directed by: Philip Crouch

CAST/CREW

King Stephen: Denis Hawkey

Queen Alice: Jacqui Crouch

Princess Rosemary: Maureen McDonald

Casimir/Narrator: Philip Crouch

Prince Frederick/Herald: Garry Harradence

Bernie Sykes: Robin Hawkey

Glodoski/Librarian: Fay Gregory

Egbert/Page: Bronwyn Brown

Sound Design/Technician: Rogan Brown

Visuals: Peter McDonald

SYNOPSIS

King Stephen, ruler of Elyssia, is not interested in ‘book learning’, or anything else for that matter. His wife, Queen Alice, virtually runs the kingdom. Their spoilt daughter Princess Rosemary is the apple of the King’s eye, and she wants to marry Prince Frederick, who is not exactly a good marriage prospect.

Enter, Count Glodoski who brings the king a gift. But what is this creature that can turn people into stone? The librarian tries to find out what it is!

The ‘gift’ is kept in the royal zoo, which suddenly burns to the ground one night. A zoo worker is killed and Bernie Sykes, the union organiser, approaches the king for compensation.

Just where will it all end?

2017

Company: Acorn Players

Date: 8 December 2017

Venue: Eastside Lutheran College Hall

Written by: Philip Crouch

Directed by: Denis Hawkey

CAST/CREW

Donald Demon: Denis Hawkey

Michelle Demon: Bronwyn Brown

Raelene Boilen: Maureen McDonald

Grace Montfort: Fay Gregory

Buffy Brogan: Jacqui Crouch

Julian Candy: Philip Crouch

MESS Commander: Robin Hawkey

MESS Support: Philip Sweetingham

Accompanist: Cheryl Blackwell

Video Production/Graphics: Rogan Brown

Photography: Peter McDonald

SYNOPSIS

A group of old school friends (the Class of ‘62) have decided to go on a camping expedition to renew old friendships. Led by Donald Demon, a retired local businessman, and his new “trophy” wife Michelle, this group of campers consists of Raelene Boilen (school sports star), Buffy Brogan (known as Bogan), Grace Montfort and her dog Snuffles and Julian Candy (who was formally known as Ian!)

These intrepid campers have pitched their tents at Possum Gully, known as “Swamp Gully” by the locals as this area is purported to experience a once-in-a-hundred-year flood!

Guess what? Yes, while the campers are asleep in their tents there is torrential rain and consequent flooding. Enter MESS Rescue, led by Commander Virginia Forthright and her inexperienced aide, Rex Bartholomew. Finally, these ‘not so happy campers’, are rescued by the MESS helicopter, all except Donald.