The Hope

Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Helen Trenos as Bet, Jacek Koman as Boss, Jillian Murray as Charlie, Geoff Paine as Michael. Photographer: Jeff Busby

The Hope

By Heather Nimmo

25 April 1987 – 16 May 1987 Studio Theatre

Playbox Theatre Company, Western Australian Theatre Company,

New Writing Theatre

Bet and Michael are newly married and their hearts are set on the Australian Dream - to own their own home. Like generations before them they have crossed the Nullarbor to seek their fortune, joining a rush spurred on by rising gold prices and the declining dollar. 'The Hope' is a corrugated-iron mining town where few fortunes are made and few marriages survive. Bet and Michael are innocents among The Hope's hardy inhabitants: Mrs G - fourth generation goldfields; Charlie - the topless barmaid; Boss - the enigmatic boss man, and the eerie presence of generations of previous occupants.

Playwright Heather Nimmo lived in Kalgoorlie, where she worked as a writer, researcher and tin miner.

The production subsequently toured to Western Australia (Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany, Kojonup, Katanning and Perth) from 22 May to 27 June.

Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Ross Williams as Gavin, Helen Trenos as Bet. Photographer: Jeff Busby
Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Helen Trenos as Bet, Faith Clayton as Mrs G. Photographer: Jeff Busby
Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Jacek Koman as Boss, Ross Williams as Gavin. Photographer: Jeff Busby
Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Jacek Koman as Boss, Helen Trenos as Bet. Photographer: Jeff Busby
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Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Ross Williams as Gavin, Helen Trenos as Bet. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Helen Trenos as Bet, Faith Clayton as Mrs G. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Jacek Koman as Boss, Ross Williams as Gavin. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "The Hope". L-R: Jacek Koman as Boss, Helen Trenos as Bet. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Creatives

Heather Nimmo

Heather Nimmo

Playwright

Andrew Ross

Andrew Ross

Director

Kathryn Sproul

Assistant to the Designer

Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor

Production Manager

Robert Juniper

Designer

Duncan Ord

Lighting Designer

Garry Snowdon

Technical Director

Simon Dennis

Stage Manager, Sound Operator/Engineer

Mary-Lou Bailey

Assistant Designer

Kasia Zygmuntowitz

Assistant Designer

Jill Smith

Jill Smith

General Manager