Charity performance creates BUZ

Audiences are set to be captivated and convulsing with laughter at Busselton Repertory Club’s charity performance on Sunday, June 16.

The three one-act plays are raising funds for Busselton children’s charity BUZ Nurture Works, which aims to provide social support for primary school children.

The show will include Mad Breakfast, presented by first-time director Phyl Peach; Tantalising Riches, directed by Liam McKay; and The Grand Hotel, directed by award-winning scriptwriter Tully Jones.

Jones’ piece won the Busselton Scriptwriters Award.

She said the idea came from a dark place when she was fed up with her studies in Year 12.

“I come from a family with quite a dark sense of humour and this story looks at some of the more twisted but comedic aspects of the region,” she said.

“We as an audience get to laugh at these people who have a really warped sense of how life should be.”

The play revolves around the theme of heaven and hell, with several extreme characters who have escaped hell through a tunnel in the hotel.

“It’s quite confronting and I’ve had a lot of trouble casting the play,” Jones said.

“It’s been challenging to think of how to make the audience understand that it is God who is speaking and how to visually represent God with a smoke machine and lighting.”

Tantalising Riches tells the story of three intrepid jungle adventurers who are racing to find a mystical gemstone that can grant wishes.

McKay said the play would be performed by a talented cast.

“It’s the second play that I’ve written and is a huge improvement from the first one,” he said.

A Mad Breakfast, written by I. M. Gray, has been dubbed one of the funniest one-act plays ever written.

For Peach, it is her first foray into directing.

She said she was seeking a new challenge when she took on the role of director.

“I’ve got a great cast and I’m really enjoying it,” she said.

“I have 10 actors and they’re all very talented. It’s challenging but it’s fun.”

Buz Nurture Works representative Lisa Stelter said the not-for-profit organisation started in 2001 to help primary school students make and maintain healthy relationships.

“We create a space for young children where they feel safe and respected and they can learn things like bully-proofing and making friends,” she said.

“We believe that setting them up in primary school will make them a lot more resilient for later years, its social and emotional training.”

The performance will be held at at 3pm at the Weld Theatre.

Tickets for the charity performance are $20 and can be bought from buz@buildupzone. com.

Three other performances will be held on June 21, 22 and 23.

Tickets can be bought via trybooking.com.