The Man From Mukinupin

The Graduate Dramatic Society celebrated in the outdoor New Fortune Theatre at UWA with a fine performance of Dorothy Hewett’s play/musical The Man from Mukinupin. This play was originally produced by the National Theatre at the Playhouse for Western Australia’s 150th celebrations in 1979. The first night was disrupted by a fire alarm going off which interrupted the continuity for a short period. But the actors resumed as true professionals. In attendance were some of the cast from the original production at the Playhouse including well known Perth actress Jenny McNae. No doubt Irishman John Doyle would have been proud of this production. John recently retired as theatre manager at UWA with 40 years service with responsibility for all the theatres within UWA. The play was set in the fictional south-west country town of Mukinupin and told the story of Australia’s growth, recording a potted history of the early 1900’s, of a young man who emerges from the bush, falls in love and goes to war. We got a taste of life in the bush through the eyes of the young lovers as they grow and lose their innocence. The live peacocks in the lofts of the New Fortune Theatre added a touch of authenticity to Dorothy Hewetts' play. There were great performances from Cameron Taylor and Bonnie Coyle (a great talent) in the leading roles with good support from Liz Hoffman, Amanda Crewes, Rosemary Longhurst and Yvette Wall.