A QUINTESSENTIALLY Australian story, mixing drama, humour and home truths, is the latest offering from ARENAarts as the play in question celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Written by Michael Gow and directed by Christine Ellis at the Latvian Centre Theatre, Away is the story of three different families who go on their annual Christmas holidays in late 1967, all burdened with their own baggage.

First performed in 1986, it is a winner of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award and has become one of the most widely-produced Australian plays of all time.

Away is also on the high school syllabus in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

“It’s a classic Australian play about three families who go away on different summer vacations and a freak storm brings them all together in the one location,” Ellis said.

“Several secrets are revealed and the families are renewed – it is set in several different locations and moves very quickly.

“The challenge is to have several different sets on stage at one time so the play flows smoothly.

“I also need to bring together a group of experienced and inexperienced actors and mold them into a cohesive team.”

Acting since she was an 11-year-old – for more than 45 years – Ellis has been extensively involved with Stirling Players both on and off the stage for more than a decade.

She has also performed with the Old Mill, Marloo, Garrick and Phoenix Theatres and ARENAarts and has several awards to her credit for productions at Youthfest and the Mandurah One-Act Play Festival, as well as Blak Yak Theatre’s 24-Hour Stage Project.

Ellis also runs weekly drama classes at KADS Theatre where she has directed Murder in Company, Little Women, Cracked and Charitable Intent.

“Away appealed because I love Australian shows and I have seen it done twice before,” she said.

“I thought it would be a great challenge for a theatre group to be able to stage it in a creative way.”

Away plays at 8pm June 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 with 2pm matinees June 12 and 19. Tickets are $20, $16 concession – book on 9399 9947, arenaarts@hotmail.com.au or at www.trybooking.com/LCNW.  

The Latvian Centre Theatre is at 60 Cleaver Terrace, Belmont.