FAMILY TAKING CENTRE STAGE
Thompson and daughter Beth are keeping it in the family as they take to the stage together for the first time in The Penelopiad at Javeenbah Theatre.
Mrs Thompson, in the title role of Penelope, is a community theatre veteran having performed in more than 20 plays in the past 20 years and is guiding daughter Beth through her first production in the role of Telemachus, who is Penelope’s son.
Beth, usually in the audience of her mother’s many theatrical escapades, is joining her thespian mum in the cast. And who better to share her first foray into acting than with her experienced and proud mum?
“This is Beth’s first time on the community theatre stage and this is a massive jump out of her comfort zone,” Mrs Thompson said.
“The biggest challenge for Beth is having the confidence to perform in front of actual people. It is funny being a part of the cast and watching the other actors suddenly remember they’re talking in front of a 14-year-old and hastily censor their adult language.
“But she is enjoying this experience … and playing a bratty teenager.
“It has been nice watching Beth’s natural talent emerge as she gains more confidence.”
Mrs Thompson said the sheer volume of lines she had to remember was one of the biggest challenges but watching Beth play a bratty teen was hilarious.
Written by Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, the show is directed by Kaela Gray and choreographed by Kylie DavisDavenport and follows the story of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus and her handmaids as she awaits her husband’s return with her from the Trojan War in an intriguing retelling of literary classic The Illiad.
Traditionally, all roles in The Penelopiad, including the male ones, are played by women. However, in this proNAOMI duction an exception is made and the role of Penelope’s husband Odysseus is played by a man.
From her perch in the underworld, Penelope tells her story, weaving fabric of her life.
The Penelopiad is at Javeenbah Theatre, May 24 to June 8.
To book, visit javeenbah.org.au together the