Barmaids
By Katherine Thomson
2005 – 2006 National Tour
May 24 – August 20, 2005 – 13 week tour to 33 venues in VIC, WA, QLD, SA, NSW
Geelong, Pakenham, Shepparton, South Morang, Frankston, Perth, Albany, Kalgoorlie, Mandurah, Geraldton, Karratha, Cairns, Proserpine, Mackay, Caloundra, Boonah, Redcliffe, Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warburton, Werribee, Adelaide, Bendigo, Echuca, Ballarat, Horsham, Portland, Camperdown, Traralgon, Broken Hill & Griffith, Dubbo.
October 7 – December 9, 2006 – 9 week tour to 22 venues in VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD, NT
Dandenong, Colac, Wonthaggi, Hobart, Prahran, Yarram, Ararat, Williamstown, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Sutherland, Woy Woy, Tenterfield, Lismore, Bingara, Taree, Maryborough, Charters Towers, Thuringowa, Mt. Isa, Darwin & Parramatta.
A production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions
HIT Productions, Australia’s Premier Theatre Touring Company, will take to the road in October with the fabulous comedy Barmaids by Australian playwright Katherine Thomson for a nine week national tour across VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD and NT.
Produced by Christine Harris and HIT Productions (Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Hotel Sorrento, Love Child) and directed by Terence O’Connell (Minefields and Miniskirts, The Pyjama Game) Barmaids stars accomplished actors Jane Clifton as Nancy (Prisoner, Mum’s the Word, Menopause the Musical) and Carmelina Di Guglielmo as Val (Mum’s the Word, Emma Celebrazione). Nancy and Val, two mature Barmaids who work at the Arms Hotel in an Australian Port Town are confronted with New Management decisions that put their jobs in jeopardy as they see a new breed of karaoke singing, topless barmaids moving in on their territory. Barmaids will delight audiences with its interactive style including audience members being invited to sing karaoke.
Designer, Judith Cobb and Lighting Designer, Jon Buswell have joined with Terence for Barmaids, a play that looks at the challenges women face everyday in terms of relationships, love, ageing and being valued for their work.
The Australian Government is proud to be associated with this tour through the national performing arts touring program, Playing Australia, which gives Australians across the country the opportunity to see some of our best performing arts.
Reviews
“Valerie Bader… a strong singer and an actress with good comic timing puts heart and soul into the character Nancy.“
Samela Harris, The Advertise, SA, 08/05
“…with Valerie Bader and Genevieve Picot we are in good hands. Bader and Picot give splendid performances and the audience immediately warms to them.“
Helen Thomson, The Age, VIC, 05/05
“Barmaids is an arresting comedy that portrays the archetypal barmaids of days gone by…the interaction with the audience and their involvement was in tune with the environment being created. The combination of splendid performances, a fabulous script, a terrific set design and lighting under the direction of Gary Down provided an evening of fabulous entertainment.“
Ann-Marie Archer, State of The Arts, WA 06/05
“Bader is “out there” – raunchy and irrepressible. Director Gary Down keeps the pace moving…the interaction between the good sorts on stage and the audience is priceless…this is a dinkum night out worth shouting about.“
Matt Byrne, The Sunday Mail, SA, 07/05
Cast
Nancy: Valerie Bader (2005)
Val: Genevieve Picot (2005)
Nancy: Jane Clifton (2006)
Val: Carmelina Di Guglielmo (2006)
Creatives
Playwright: Katherine Thomson
Director: Gary Down (2005)
Director: Terence O’Connell (2006)
Designer: Judith Cobb
Lighting Designer: Michele Preshaw (2005)
Lighting Designer: Jon Buswell (2006)