A touring comedy show is set to visit Warburton at the start of next month, showing one night only at the Arts Centre, Warburton.
Director Phillip A Mayer, who has strong family ties with the region, said the show is a train wreck and the audience gets to watch it unfold in all its uncomfortable glory.
“This is a comedy for anyone that has family members considered to be black sheep, or have eccentric neighbours you would not invite over for a drink,” he said.
“Tim and Andrea have just moved into their own apartment, and they’re throwing a housewarming party to celebrate and their carefully chosen guest list, which includes her family but not his, is about to be thrown into chaos by some uninvited guests, who proceed to upend the evening, and drive a wedge into their relationship, which may already have a few cracks anyway,”
“You think your family is bad, wait until you meet this lot, when the cast first read the script, they couldn’t believe the story was based on actual events and real people. Of course, we blow the situation up, make it larger than life, but the basis for the story is steeped in real life and knowing this makes the evening even more entertaining”
The show is recommended for audiences aged 15 years and over due to the mature themes.
Mr Mayer said viewers will have to buy a ticket to find out if this young relationship will survive the pressure of purchasing a home and the meeting of their vastly different families.
“The central characters start out stressed because they’re throwing a party, and they want to impress the guests, they want to make sure everything is perfect so the night runs smoothly, but when family members show up uninvited, and the neighbours start knocking, things get derailed, spiralling into complete chaos,” he said.
“Some characters you’ll identify with, some you’ll feel sorry for, and others will make you cringe at their inappropriateness,”
“We use a mix of social observation, modern relationship commentary, and satirical farce. I try and write comedy to cater to various levels, so we have base rude humour, clever thought-provoking jokes, pop-culture references, situational comedy and larger-than-life characters, which combine to give the audience an hour and a bit of genuine laughs”.
The show ill take place on Saturday 3 August from 7.30pm.
Mr Mayer said they rely on audiences and bums on seats for survival.
“We love coming to the Yarra Valley, and for me, it’s like returning home, the Mayer family have a long history with the area, from the old Chalet to the golf course,”
“Hopefully we bring something different to the local theatre scene, in producing original theatre, and creating entertaining experiences,”
“Wine & Nibbles certainly fits the bill and will challenge some, but it’s relatable, every family has at least one embarrassing member, and you know they’re going to disrupt the family gathering.”
