Set in a nursing home, this is a practical look at the subject of growing old and the not-so-attractive consequences.
Mavis is a lonely soul who finds solidarity in comforting her husband, Alfred. She fills the boredom of her days by reading and engaging in one-sided arguments with an inert Alfred.
When the ambulance officers arrive to take Alfred away, we discover the reason for Alfred’s inertia and witness Mavis’s frustration and helplessness.
First produced as a stand-alone event
Direction by Shaun Oxley
CAST
Elizabeth Penny … Mavis
VENUE
Workhouse Theatre145 Victoria Parade
Collingwood, Victoria
Australia
PERFORMANCES
June 1998
Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st
Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th
July 1998
Wednesday 1st to Sunday 5th
CREW
Costume Design … Jennifer Hyland
Lighting Design … Julian Brignell
Producer … Darren Brealey
Mavis and Alfred’s bedroom; in it is a chair and small table that sits downstage right. A two-seater settee and coffee table sit centre stage and another chair sits centre stage left, in front of an open fire. A small fire burns in the fireplace. Double doors to a hallway up centre stage and a window overlooking the street, stage left. ALFRED sits in front of the fireplace with his back facing the audience; a blanket covers his legs. A newspaper is draped over the arm of the chair. A red ambulance light reflects into the room, similar to that of a flashing sign or billboard
Disturbing Mavis
Paperback (printed book)
A5 (5.83 x 8.27 in / 148 x 210 mm)
Standard Black & White
60# White
Saddle Stitch
Glossy Cover