Play to shine light on grandparents

A NEW Australian musical comedy celebrating grandparenthood is set to hit the road this winter. 

The Grandparents Club, written by author and journalist, Wendy Harmer, has a cast and crew of well-known people including composer and music director, John Field, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, and others. 

Harmer said she enjoyed turning the tables on outdated ideas about grandparents. 

“It’s been such fun to upend the old stereotypes of grannies in aprons making scones and grandpas tinkering away in sheds,” she said. 

“Today’s grandparents are adventurous, engaged and no longer ‘invisible’. They play a vital role in modern family life.  

“But one thing never changes… the deep, abiding bond between loving grandparents and their adored grandies.” 

The play’s producers, Lyndi Adler and Maree Kirkland-Morris, said they hope the audience leaves the show feeling like their place in families and society is important. 

“We wanted to create a show to honour the important role that grandparents everywhere play in family life by capturing all that wisdom, mischief and humour that is such a part of having grandkids in your world,” they said. 

McGranger, who takes on the role of Liz, said she was “going back to my roots” by doing theatre with a group of such talented stage actors. 

“I am thrilled to be involved with the wonderful new Australian musical comedy The Grandparents Club which celebrates Grandparents in all their glory,” she said. 

“I am so excited to be working with the doyenne of Australian comedy, Wendy Harmer, the much-heralded director, Luke Joslin, and the exceptionally talented MD, John Field.” 

The Grandparents Club will be coming to Ballarat for two shows on 28 July, at 1pm and 5pm at Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts.