Anglesea players head to Edinburgh

The cast of Shadows of Angels: Lina Libroaperto, Nikki Watson, Julie Fryman and Stacey Carmichael (front). (Supplied) 348394_01

APA will perform Shadows of Angels, directed by Iris Walshe-Howling and Janine McKenzie, at 3pm and 7pm at Lorne Community Connect on Saturday, July 22.

Based on true events and set in the slums of Melbourne in the 1920s, the play focuses on four women and their connections to a violent crime.

Played by talented actors Stacey Carmichael, Julie Fryman, Lina Libroaperto and Nikki Watson, the four women relate their recollections of the horrific events, slowly exposing the mysterious connections that led to the crime.

Shadow of Angels features a haunting and emotionally rich original score composed and performed live by Kirsten Honey that intensifies the works’ themes of marginalisation, gender, sexuality, class and crime.

Co-director McKenzie said the issues explored in the play, as well as its poetic and powerful language, were what drew her to Shadows of Angels.

“Three of these characters operate in the shadows of society… so the spotlight is put on these characters who would otherwise not have a prominent voice and place in the telling of Australian stories and history,” she said.

“Women are placed very much at the forefront of this story. I think it’s really important. We’re telling this story because there are echoes and shades of those lives still present in our own society.”

APA will also hold an open rehearsal of Shadows of Angels at Kildare Theatre, Clonard College on Sunday, July 23, the last rehearsal before heading off to Edinburgh.

The open rehearsal will also include a performance a/lone, a “dynamic physical theatre work” featuring Stacey Carmichael that is also travelling to Edinburgh Fringe, at 6pm. Entry will be via donation.

For more information and tickets visit angleseaperformingarts.com/productions. To support APA’s travel to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival visit australianculturalfund.org.au.