A play or not a play? That is the question

QUESTION: When is a stage production, with actors performing in front of an audience, not a play?

Answer: When it’s a production of “Monologue Project” by Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council (GACCI).

This stage production, which will have its world premiere in Gloucester on Thursday 25 September at 7pm, is a series of monologues from twelve different characters each telling their own story.

“This is not a play,” said actor Mo Hjorth, who has had a long career in singing, acting and dancing since she was just three years of age.

“The twelve monologues are not related in any way.

“Every monologue is different, and each one tells a different story.

“It’s not a play of monologues, but a series of monologues taken from different plays or events written by different people.

“We’ve never done anything like this in Gloucester before.”

Mo, who plays two characters, would not divulge many details about her roles.

“One is about a fertile woman, and that’s all I’m prepared to say.

“The other one is about someone who believes she is nobody but is somebody.”

Carol Bennett plays a woman in love from the late 1950s talking to the audience about a picnic.

“All the performances are quite different,” explained Carol.

“Some are thought provoking and some are comedy.

“Some are quite out there and may test some of the audience with something they might not expect.”

Local farmer James Hooke plays a typecast Aussie bloke from the ‘70s and ‘80s.

“He’s in his older years mourning the loss of larrikinism from that era and how we’ve all become more sensible,” said James.

Gay Curran’s character is a waitress who is stuck in a country town and fanaticises about being on Broadway.

“It is about frustrated ambition, wondering why she’s still where she is after 20 years,” said Gay.

“But she is also resilient and gets on with things, and it ends on a positive note.”

A GACCI blurb describes Monologue Project as “a raw, funny, moving night at the theatre”.

There will be three performances of Monologue Project on 25 and 26 September at 7pm at the Senior Citz, with a matinee at 1.30pm on 26 September.

Bookings can be made at https://www.trybooking.com/DFFKG.

By John WATTS