Play stays true to real life

It’s appropriate that mixed emotions are expected in the audience during the Tokoroa Little Theatre’s latest production.

After all life is full of them and leading New Zealand playwright Roger Hall’s You Can Always Hand Them Back, directed by Tina Ward, provides a real ‘‘insight into life’’ according to cast member Iris Menzies.

‘‘It’s a story about grandparents (Menzies plays the grandmother) and the different stages of life that they go through,’’ she said.

‘‘First of all they are longing for grandchildren and urging their children to have them and then there is the birth, buying a pram, and babysitting.

‘‘They then have to move into a retirement village so that changes their lives and the grandfather (played by Keith Mallett) then gets a sore knee so he can’t play golf.

‘‘The grandfather then goes into hospital and passes away and the grandmother has to start doing things on her own. All the sorts of things that happen in real life as you get older.’’

Menzies said despite some sombre parts the stage production is mostly full of humour and has a happy twist in the end.

‘‘It’s very very funny but so true to life and everyone who comes, whether they are grandparents or parents, will relate. Even grandchildren will see their grandparents in the characters,’’ she said.

‘‘You will have a laugh, a tear maybe, and you’ll go home with a lot to think about.’’

She said the cast has been rehearsing since January and was looking forward to sharing the production, which will be narrated by Dominic Bowers-mason, with others.

There will also be original songs and Barbara Graham, a former member of the Tokoroa Operatic Society, will be back for the first time in years on the keyboard.

‘‘The cast has been working really well together and Tina, who has been in theatre for years, has been brilliant.’’