Sandgate Theatre is serving up some old-fashioned, high-quality, British sitcom-inspired theatre to Brisbanites.
The stage production of ‘Are You Being Served’ promises to be as equally hilarious and outrageous as the television series broadcasted in the '70s.
“It’s actually based around the ‘Are You Being Served’ movie, where the Grace Brothers Department Store is closed for renovations, and the general manager shouts his employees a holiday at a one-star resort in Spain,” reveals cast member, Michelle Whitmore.
Michelle plays Mrs Slocombe in the play, an over-confident commoner with the pompous attitude of a snooty, upper-class woman.
“She's a very colourful character. She experiments with lots of different hair colours, which is something quite close to my heart. She loves the false eyelashes, and the bright lips, and the eyeshadow. You could mistake her for a drag queen at times!” she laughs.
“She likes a drink of brandy, as well – a few too many swigs, in one scene.”After growing up watching the programme with her parents every Friday night, Michelle defines Mrs Slocombe as her ‘bucket-list role’: “I was too young to understand the show back then, but I've always had a keen interest in English comedy,” she says. “I was really thrilled to be given the opportunity, and I hope I do the character justice. She's a very funny lady – some of the things she comes out with can be quite rude!”
Michelle assures even those who are unfamiliar with the television series will enjoy the stage production, which, she says, is already taking shape and scoring laughs among the cast, only six weeks deep into rehearsals.
“Generally, when you have the first script read-through, or when you're in your first weeks of rehearsals and you're not familiar with the lines, it’s never quite as funny. But we've been in hysterics the moment we started rehearsals, because some of the lines are just so hilarious,” Michelle exclaims.
“Now, we’re slowly learning our lines, and it’ll be scripts down from next week onwards. Currently rehearsing two days a week, which will soon increase to three and more again once the date advances.”
The cast – fondly described by Michelle as a ‘brilliant bunch’ – have worked together on stage in the past.
“We've got a really great cast who are committed and experienced. Between us all, we've done quite a number of shows. I think it's going to be high-quality and great entertainment, plus there’s BYO food and drink!”
Recently opting away from the ‘theatre restaurant’ style of showcasing, Sandgate productions encourage audience members to bring along a picnic basket and cold drinks to enjoy.
“I've been involved with Sandgate for around five to six years now. And they were originally serving roast meals, which, as a result, was costing the theatre company money – and costing crowd members hefty ticket fees, as well,” Michelle explains.
“I think the BYO aspect has been a real benefit to us. We’ve found, just in the last couple of years, that the attendance rates have been up. Plus the quality of local, amateur theatre is definitely increasing in standard.”
Michelle encourages theatre fans, families, grandparents and young adults to book tickets to see what she says will be a hilarious show, among a relaxing atmosphere, at a very low price.
“Children may not understand the jokes, but certainly young adults will be able to relate and understand the comedy behind it. It's definitely something that will satisfy anyone's appetite for theatre. Prepare for some serious laughs.”
