Mother-daughter team open door to history

MOTHER and daughter Kimberley and Elisabeth Shaw have united to direct a show at Playlovers Theatre this September – and it also features Kimberley’s youngest daughter Stephanie in the production.

Written by Sam Holcroft, The Wardrobe is set over a 530-year period and tells the stories of various young people who seek refuge or comfort in the same wardrobe between 1485 and 2015.

From the War Of The Roses’ last days, through English Civil War brutality, paranoia of the Plague and heartbreak of World War I conscription, right up to modern-day complications with social networking, the play seamlessly weaves humour with moments in history that ultimately depict the loss of innocence.

Holcroft is currently writer-in-residence at the UK’s National Theatre Studio and she was commissioned to write the play as part of the 2014 National Theatre Connections Festival.

The Wardrobe features 23 actors aged between 11 and 17 – and 10 of them have professional credits to their names.

Aside from Elisabeth and Stephanie, the cast also features four sets of siblings including two sets of twins.

“Elisabeth and I were keen to do a show together and are both passionate about producing meaningful and challenging theatre for young people,” Kimberley said.

“Directing a show that takes place literally in the confines of a wardrobe is challenging to stage.”

Involved in theatre for more than 20 years, Kimberley has worked with Blak Yak, KADS, Playlovers, Roleystone and Kwinana Theatres and is a former president and current committee member of the Independent Theatre Association, as well as being a performing arts specialist teacher at Sawyers Valley Primary School.

She has several awards to her credit, twice-winning best production and best youth production at Dramafest, the annual state drama festival, and also twice-scored the best musical gong at the Finley Awards.

Elisabeth has been directing for three years, twice winning best production at Youthfest for The Evacuees and Izzy Icarus Fell off the Earth.

She has also won the Finley Award for youth for sound design and operation and has worked as a stage manager, sound operator and actor for numerous productions.

Joining The Wardrobe is Following The Black Sheep, written by Perth playwright Yvette Wall.

Directed by Campbell Greenock, the play explores the inner workings of a family just after the end of World War II as a soldier tries to deal with his haunted past.

The Wardrobe and Following The Black Sheep play at 8pm September 11 and 12 with a 2pm matinee September 13. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 0415 777 173, bookings@playlovers.org.au or at www.playlovers.org.au.

Playlovers is located at Hackett Hall, Draper Street (off Underwood Avenue), Floreat.