Roger Hall classic for Dannevirke’s theatre
Another Roger Hall classic is about to hit the stage in Dannevirke’s Fountain Theatre when By Degrees is presented by the Dannevirke Theatre Company.
Directed by Josie Robertson, the story is about four women who decide independently to return to university and the story follows their experiences, their highs, lows, disappointments and successes.
The characters are Clare (Angela McQuarrie) — a 40-year-old married woman, Donna (Sarah Jensen) a mid20s solo mother, Glenys (Birgitta Rolston) a married woman in her early 50s and Shirley (Michelle Walker) a divorcee in her late-30s.
Each has her own experiences in life which affects the way the characters cope with university life.
Typical of Roger Hall there is drama, pathos and lighter moments which will draw a chuckle.
Roger Hall will leave the theatre audience thinking about the issues raised.
Many will identify with those issues.
Unusually there is no direct dialogue between the characters but the timing of each speech is so cleverly arranged the message becomes more evident as the play progresses.
Roger Hall has done this before with his play Taking Off which featured a decade ago in Dannevirke before very responsive audiences.
Director Josie Robertson was on stage in that production.
Lighting and sound are critical to the success of this play and Cameron Trigg has designed these.
■ The show opens on Thursday June 7 and runs for three nights with two shows on Saturday June 9, then resumes Wednesday June 13 running through to Friday June 15. Tickets cost Adults $25, Seniors $22 and can be purchased from the Dannevirke Information Centre.