Wedding Island, the latest island comedy, performs in Scotland Island Community Hall on 9, 10, 16 & 17 May. For full details and to buy tickets, click here. Below I explore the background to the play, and what you can expect on the night.
A history lesson
We all have reasons to thank Robyn Iredale, former SIRA president. For myself, principal among them was her phone call in early 2023 inviting me to join the cast of Two Catherines. Without that experience I would never have had the confidence to put myself forward for parts in Secret Island (last year’s play) or, now, Wedding Island. Indeed, without Two Catherines, I’m not convinced that those plays would have ever existed.
It's worth telling the full story. Scotland Island has a long tradition of live performance, including concerts, comedy nights, plays and, once upon a time, ballet, lantern displays and the like.
Much of that rich heritage is celebrated in the PON’s YouTube channel. There you’ll find talent and daring stretching back to the 1980s, mixed with plenty of bad acting, forgotten lines and other reasons to cringe. But you’ll also hear lots of laughter. There’s a reason they’re called ‘plays’, because ‘play’ is what they allow adults to do. I haven’t had this much fun since kindy.
So many contributed to our thespian history that I will offend by singling out names. But perhaps a few stand out: Bob Blackwood, Rod Blaine, Tracy Smith, Martin Erdman, John Travers and Annette Freeland. Kerry Borthwick and Bob Bolton were the latest big shots, but they departed several years ago. The PARs and Fresnels remained bright through the likes of Petra Godfrey and Barbara Labram who, along with others, put on comedy nights. But then came Covid. And everything stopped.
Except it didn’t quite. In 2020 resident Paul Kininmonth began performing Shakespeare in Catherine Park. Then in 2022 Robyn Iredale received funding for a play crafted especially for the Pittwater community. Serendipitously, a Belgian/Australian actor moved to Elvina Bay at around the same time. Professionally trained in theatrical direction, Sophie Lepowic corralled a gaggle of offshore amateurs, myself included.
The outcome was Two Catherines, written by Jasper Marlow, which told the story of Catherine Bouffier and Catherine Benns, two women associated with island history. But in terms of our thespian history, the two women who got the show back on the road were Robyn and Sophie.
Out of Two Catherines, hidden talent emerged. Admittedly most of it belonged to Bogue Anthill, a playwright who, Clark Kent style, had lived among us for years. Bogue pitched Secret Island, a comedy based around international espionage, although really it was an excuse to parody SIRA. The play premiered in March 2024 and was a sell-out success. Thanks to Shane O’Neill, Secret Island can now be enjoyed by clicking here.
Secret Island leads us to Wedding Island, which Bogue describes as the second and last in his Island trilogy. Much of the talent that brought you Secret Island returns in Wedding Island.
Sophie directs and appears in the play, and throughout rehearsals has displayed the vision and patience we have come to expect. Bogue and I are co-producers, which involves doing the boring stuff that rarely gets noticed. Speaking of thankless tasks, Gilli Unwin returns as stage manager, keeping the cast going with tea, coffee and wonderful cakes.
What's Wedding Island about?
The basic premise: a young couple want to get married. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But no, this is Scotland Island and everything that can go wrong, goes wrong.
In telling their story we bring you music, dance, satire, slapstick and miniature spring rolls. There's even what you might call animatronics. For visitors to the island, we often say come prepared for any weather conditions. For this show, we’re saying that if you’re sitting in the front row, come prepared for any weather conditions. You’ll find out what we mean when you come along.
But what’s Wedding Island really about?
Of course there’s an underlying message. ‘I masterfully interpolate the trials of offshore life into a discursive examination of contemporary society, traversing the seismic shifts shaping our world,’ explains Bogue. ‘In Secret Island I dissected international tensions’, he continues modestly. ‘In Wedding Island I interrogate the challenges of climate change.’ In other words, prepare yourself for a night of dunny humour and fart gags.
Why should you attend?
There’s a licenced bar provided by the Men’s Shed, there’s free food, and on opening night there’s a ferry back to Elvina Bay and Church Point after the show.
But the real reason to come?
You spend an evening in congregation with your neighbours and friends, laughing at that predicament we call offshore life. At the prices we charge, it’s cheaper than therapy, and a damned sight easier than trying to afford a house on the mainland. To buy your tickets, click here.
Wedding Island is a comedy set on Scotland Island. It’s written in celebration of Pittwater’s vibrant offshore community, but also some of the trials and tribulations of living by water access only.
The play is brought to you by the team responsible for Secret Island, which was performed on Scotland Island in March 2024. Secret Island received enthusiastic reviews and was a sell-out event.
Wedding Island is directed by Sophie Lepowic, who has considerable experience in film and theatre. The cast is drawn entirely from the offshore community. In order of appearance, they include May Blackband, Elise Nicol, Roy Baker, Alix Ah-Pet, Nettie Lodge, Sophie Lepowic, Mara Syngros, Jess McGowan, Larry Woods, Ian White and Lizzie Brand. Stage management is by Gilli Unwin.
Performance dates are 9, 10, 16 & 17 May 2025. Performances start 7.30 pm and will end around 9.30 pm. Ticket prices: $30 adults, $15 concession. To buy tickets, click here: https://events.humanitix.com/wedding-island.
Performances are held in Scotland Island Community Hall, Catherine Park. The nearest wharf is Tennis Court. On Fridays a ferry leaves Church Point at 7 pm. On Saturdays departure time is 6.30 pm. On the opening night (9 May) a special ferry will return audience members to Church Point (or Elvina Bay on request) after the performance.