The North West Theatre Company is planning for a unique theatre production in November. To be staged at the Roxy Theatre in Bingara will be a season of two one act plays.
The first of these will be an original play developed by the Company. The story line is based on an historical event that occurred near Bingara in 1912. Local historian Bob Kirk told NWTC member Rick Hutton about “the murder at The Hill”, a property 10 km west of the town, and Rick conceived a play based upon the story.
“I was intrigued by the story, which involved a young English couple, Frederick and Lois Ball who had taken up residence at “The Hill” as overseers of the property in 1912,” Rick said. “Bob had told me that within a few months of their arrival, as a seemingly happy young couple, Lois had tried to poison her husband, and that he had shot her. Apprehended near Maitland trying to escape, Frederick Ball was tried at Bingara Courthouse, convicted and taken to Armidale, and hanged at Armidale Gaol.”
“It was too good a story to pass up.” Rick said. “The only explanation for the murder that Bob knew of was that the couple had “gone bush happy”. I thought the story would make a great play, and so I did some research and started to put down some ideas.”
Rick’s draft play is titled “The Playing Fields of Eden” and he is workshopping it with the two players, his son Nicholas, and Nick’s partner Jessica Russell-Davies, ready for the November “gala opening performance”.
“Both Jess and Nick are graduates from Charles Sturt University, with Acting for Stage and Screen Bachelor of Arts Degrees, and are ideally suited to telling this story”. Rick explained.
“The second play is an American “two hander” called “Love Letters””, said NWTC President John Wearne. “Combining these two plays on the one program gives us the central theme of the changing fortunes of love.”
“We have engaged Sydney based Director Terry Brady to direct the two plays.” John said. “This will be Terry’s fourth contract with the NWTC having previously directed Diving for Pearls, Curses Foiled Again and A Christmas Carol, for the company. His theatrical experience will be invaluable especially in developing the original play.”
The two actors for “Love Letters” will be cast at open auditions on October 21 and 22 at the Roxy, and any interested performers are invited to try out for the roles. For more information contact NWTC Publicity Officer, Rick Hutton on 0428 255380.
