The old saying ‘The family that plays together stays together’ couldn’t be truer for the Murphys of Metung – and it’s a bond that has paid off for Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company.
Sabrina Murphy, a talented performing artist who in recent years has become heavily involved with Production Line as an actor and budding director, has now been followed into the world of theatre by her parents, Michael and Cosette.
They’re about to take to the stage for the first time, in the upcoming British comedy farce ‘Allo ‘Allo – and they’re relishing the experience.
The Murphys are no strangers to the East Gippsland community, where Cosette pops up with her camera and unbounded enthusiasm at just about every local event, recording proceedings and lifting spirits wherever she goes.
Her bubbly personality and distinctive Romanian accent have made her impossible to ignore – and now those very assets have led to her winning a lead role in ‘Allo ‘Allo, due to open at the Forge Theatre in October.
“My love for theatre has deep roots, going to see shows since I was a child with my mother,” Cosette said.
“Unfortunately like my mother I never had the opportunity to perform until now, so when someone approached me and suggested I try out for the role of a French woman, I thought why not?
“My accent might not be French, but it’s certainly not Aussie, is it? Having our daughter also involved in the performing arts makes a dream come true for us.”
Cosette will be playing the role of Edith Artois, whose husband René (played by local actor David Cubley) runs a café in wartime France.
Edith is at the centre of the hilarious intrigues that involve just about everyone in the village, including occupying German soldiers, French resistance fighters, British spies, randy waitresses and even, possibly, a guest appearance by Adolf Hitler.
Among the unlikely characters is an incompetent spy named LeClerc, whose ham-fisted attempts to pass unnoticed continually threaten to derail the efforts of the Resistance.
LeClerc is played by Michael Murphy, who initially had no intention of auditioning for the role, having – like Cosette – never appeared on stage before.
“Until lately I had never considered acting on stage,” Michael said, “but seeing Sabrina’s enthusiasm for acting and theatre in general, on an impulse (and some prompting from my wife), I auditioned for the role of LeClerc.
“The character is great for me as a novice to play because I can be brash and over the top – anything but subtle to get the audience laughing.”
Director Susan Hawton is delighted with the way her new charges are handling the experience.
“We have an unusually large cast in ‘Allo ‘Allo,” she said.
“Around half of them are relatively new to theatre, but they’ve all taken to it like ducks to water, and we’re on track to having a brilliant comedy on our hands.”
For Cosette and Michael, it’s an opportunity to try something new, while for their many friends in the region it will be a chance to see a side of the Murphys they never knew existed.
‘Allo ‘Allo will run for just five performances at the Forge, opening on October 15.
Bookings can be made via the Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company Facebook page, or the Forge Theatre website.
