By Mikayla van Loon
Described by its director as a typical fun and fantastical farce, Moon Over Buffalo will open the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre’s 2025 season.
“It sits squarely in the category of comedy. You could even describe it somewhat as the classic theatre genre called farce, which has lots of doors opening and closing, so that brings in the fast pace and slightly mad capped elements to it,” director Ian Frost said.
Set backstage of a theatre in 1953, the story follows “a couple who have been stars of the stage”, George and Charlotte Hay, who are both making a dash for Hollywood.
“There’s elements of confusion within the show, as in the cast have some convoluted and intermingled relationships,” Frost said.
“There’s Ethel, a grandma who is hard of hearing, so it brings in mistaken identity, misunderstandings and those interpersonal confusions to mean that it’s just a fantastic and light hearted and enjoyable evening at the theatre.”
Performing for the second time at Lilydale, Brett Hyland who gets to play the “charmer” George said the play “is funny from go to woe” and “it’s high energy”.
“That’s the beauty of theatre. It’s so immersive, it kind of makes you forget about your life for a while,” he said.
“You don’t have to think too hard with this one. It’s not one of those ones where it’s a complicated plot. It’s high energy, high laughs, (and a) lot of costume changes.”
Describing his character as lovable but with some flaws, Hyland said it makes him all the more comical to watch.
“He’s a very bad actor, a bit of a ham, but he has some endearing quality. He very much loves his wife, but he does have a little bit of a wandering eye, and is a little bit, I suppose, full of himself,” he said.
“He does get himself into a bit of trouble at the start of the play, which he gets caught out for, but at the end of the day, he does love his wife.”
As for lead actress Audrey-Maeve Barker this will be just her second entry into the farce sphere, one she has enjoyed entirely.
“What attracted me to the role was the fact that it’s completely like nothing else I’ve ever done and the idea of working with Ian (Frost) and Lilydale again was fabulous,” she said.
“The play is just so much fun, and it’s really physical, which I’ve only just started that challenge now and I’m really enjoying. It’s a lot of fast paced humour, and it’s a farce, which I’ve never done, so that’s what attracted me to it.
“It’s a really great piece. It’s really funny, and there’s a lot going on, and it’s a roller coaster ride. It’s really fun. Once you’re on, we’re off.”
Barker said she hopes, but is quite confident, the audience will love the silliness of the play and the ability to step away from life just to have a good laugh.
“You can’t think too much about it. From beginning to end, you’re on a ride, and you can’t take it too seriously,” she said.
“It’s a really great way to take a break from your life for a couple of hours and just have a great laugh, and be able to laugh at everybody up there who’s doing the most ridiculous thing, and having the most crazy reality.
“Take a step out of your own lives, take a break and get to have a good laugh.”
Creating a dynamic cast and “cohesive show”, Frost said it “means the audience can suspend disbelief” for a few hours.
But more than that, he hopes it can pay homage to the theatre, to every ounce of time and dedication from directors, set designers, set builders, costume, wardrobe and cast.
“This show really is a love story to theatre, given that it is set backstage of that theatre in 1953 we see the characters put up with and at some point, make do with the shortcomings of each other because of their shared love of theatre,” he said.
“So I think that’s been a fun thing for myself, and for the cast as well, to be demonstrating their own love of the theatre, through the script of this show.”
With the 1950s backdrop, and a few dips into the 1920s, costume designer Maria Smedes has outdone herself in hand-making or altering costumes, while the set took “countless hours” to recreate “an authentic green room”.
Every detail and moment from the eight chosen cast members to the props add to the delightful atmosphere of 1950s theatre.
The season begins on Thursday 13 February and runs until Saturday 1 March. To book tickets for the show, visit lilydaleatc.com/season-2025 or call the Box Office on 9735 1777.
