Hawkesbury Actors Feature In Milo’s Wake

Richmond Players demonstrate the pluck of the Irish in the tragic-comedy Milo’s Wake set in an Irish pub somewhere in Australia.

Meet Milo O’Connor - he considers himself a lucky man.

He came to Australia from Ireland with nothing and worked hard until he had enough money to establish his own successful family business.

Now he’s decided to celebrate and, being a bit of a ‘funster’, what better way to do that than with a wake?

He’s booked the local Irish pub and a little band called The Wrens for ‘a bit of craic and a few jars’... and to give his family and friends “a chance to say a few kind words about me while I’m still around to hear ‘em”.

It is tradition that the Players’ final show for the year is a theatre-restaurant experience.

Audiences can book a table and literally help Milo celebrate.

There’s a high tea served at the afternoon shows and a two-course meal in the evening, so BYO Guinness or wine and find out what Milo is celebrating - and just what his family has to say about him.

Milo’s Wake will play twice Saturdays from November 9 at the Richmond School of Arts.

Director, and stalwart of the Players, Carol Wimmer said Milo’s Wake was a play about family.

“But it’s also about love and hope, interspersed with old Irish traditions, stories and folk songs,” Ms Wimmer said.

“It’s the perfect play for Richmond as the Hawkesbury owes so much to the tenacity and courage of early Irish settlers.”

Dublin-born local Sean Duff, a long-time member of the Players and most recently seen as KoKo in The Mikado, will play the lead role of Milo.

Duff is well-versed in Irish history and music and has doubled as a wonderful dramaturg and advisor about all of the Irish songs sung by the cast - and played by The Wrens (Neil McKenzie, Christine Mitchell and Carole Pfeiffer).

Milo’s wife Maura will be played by Katrin-Ann Pritchard Stutz, known locally as the principal of the Greater Western Sydney Academy of Classical and Musical Theatre.

After dancing and singing around the world before establishing her studios and cabarets, Pritchard Stutz directed The Boyfriend in 2022 and is now making her acting debut in Milo’s Wake.

Local Richmond actor Jony Teperski plays their son Ned and Hawkesbury nurse and mother-of-three Brittany Tanti brings the role of his girlfriend Brooke to life.

Tanti studied Drama at school and is returning to the stage to rekindle her love of acting.

The play’s barman Mick will be performed by Michael Eadie, last seen as Lord Brokhurst in The Boyfriend.

Anne Duff and Rhonda Jones, and the audience, are the guests at the wake.

Wimmer’s husband Steve is the play’s production manager and set designer, while Denise and James Winters fill the roles of stage manager and lighting designer consecutively.

Milo’s Wake plays Saturday, November 9, 16, 23 and 30, with high tea at 2 pm and a dinner show at 6 pm each day.

Visit richmondplayers.com.au/milos-wake.html for more information and bookings.

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• Performing Arts