IT’S not often you come across a play with 15 actors playing 70 characters in a story spanning 500 years.

But that’s exactly what director Amanda Crewes has achieved with her students from The Actors’ Hub in Philip Ridley’s Feathers in the Snow.

With music by Tim Newhouse, the show communicates the importance of home, belonging, forgiving and friendship and how sometimes – no matter how well-intentioned – we get it wrong.

In Feathers in the Snow, a group of historians are desperate to accurately bring the historic events of Blazerbirdia and Twotwoia to audiences of today, in the hope we will learn from past mistakes.

But the bus transporting the actors, props and costumes has not shown up. Despite this, the historians will not let the story go untold.

“This is a fabulous show with storytelling at its best and most fun,” Crewes said.

“It’s outrageous but also carries with it a wonderful message – a message which, in light of recent world events, we all need to be reminded of.

“Our world can seem so technical and cold. With many of us engaging in electronically-induced isolation, all of us need these stories to warm our souls and remind us of what it means to belong to something.

“Feathers in the Snow speaks to all ages with a certain magic, cleverly balanced with the right amount of action, making the story come to life on stage, which means there is never a dull moment.”

Crewes relished the challenge of having an ensemble of actors playing so many parts and believes the audience will love seeing actors change character before their eyes.

“We love to see how far they can push the envelope without losing the essence and truth of the character,” she said.

“This piece allows the actors to be truly creative, which is so exciting and delicious fun for the audience.

“Within the show, the enthusiastic group of storytellers will stop at nothing to tell the story as accurately as they can – even though their recollections of events are often in conflict.

“After all, 500 years is a very long time to cover.”

With a strong desire to excite young children and adults through the magical world of theatre, Crewes said she was mindful not to place her ideas too strongly on the production.

“Letting each audience member’s imagination take flight as the story unfolds is important,” she said. “In a way, what we’re hoping to do is present the audience with a magical blank canvas.”

Feathers in the Snow plays at 7.30pm, October 30, 31 and November 1 at the Subiaco Arts Centre. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book on 6143 3568, info@actorshub.net or at www.actorshub.net.

The Subiaco Arts Centre is at 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco,