HTG is bringing back their production of Love Letters for a short run. This is the first time they have performed a play in Kangaroo Valley, so they are very excited to ‘go on the road’. The play, by A.R.Gurney, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
HTG is a not for profit Community Group which has been bringing theatre to the Southern Highlands for over 50 years.
Love Letters is the touching story of Melissa and Andrew, who begin corresponding with each other as eight-year-olds and continue their relationship through sending and receiving letters over a span of 50 years. Though separated through most of this time, in these letters they share their hopes, dreams, disappointments and successes. Theirs is a unique and complicated relationship that is often hard to define, but one that defines their lives.
The role of Melissa is being played by Kangaroo Valley local, Jacinta Perry.
Jacinta has been involved in community theatre for many years – she met her husband Patrick while they were both performing in a production of Pirates of Penzance. Jacinta has been an integral part of recent HTG productions as a costumer, stage hand and prompt. She was last seen on stage with HTG playing Miss Jacobs in the musical Ladies in Black. Her other major role in life, that you are probably more familiar with, is her role of Teacher / Director at the Kangaroo Valley Preschool. Jacinta is thrilled to be playing Melissa in this production of Love Letters, opposite the talented and charming Mark Wallace.
Mark is playing the role of Andy. He has been treading the boards with HTG ever since catching the acting bug with Melting Pot Theatre’s Crash Test Drama in 2018.
He has been seen on the HTG stage in many roles, including Mr Miles in Ladies in Blac”, the kindly father figure, Matthew Cuthbert, in Anne of Green Gables, Robert in Mother and Son and Samuel in last year’s Pirates of Penzance.
Mark is a local Southern Highlands photographer, living happily under the paw of his Jack Russell.
The play is directed by Leilani Van Dieman. Lani holds a degree in Theatre from the University of Wollongong, as well as a Masters in Teaching. She has guided the cast skilfully on this creative journey, bringing Melissa and Andy to life.
Love Letters: 2pm and 7.30pm, 13 April 2024 at Wombatalla Guesthouse, Kangaroo Valley.
Tickets available through the HTG website. https://htg.org.au/loveletters/.
