Margaret Sanft is looking forward to opening night of what has been one of the most demanding scripts she has taken on as a director.
On April 16, at the Weld Theatre, people will be able to enjoy Harp on the Willow, a true story about a woman with a beautiful voice.
The play is about Mary O'Hara who not only sang but played the harp as well.
Ms Sanft said Mary was famous for her song 'lord of the dance'.
"She had a very interesting life, she lost her husband when she was 21 and went to a convent and was there for 20 years," Ms Sanft said.
Based in the 70s, the play includes some peoples favourite music with songs from ABBA and Rolling Stones.
One challenge Ms Sanft encountered while preparing for this play was trying to find a harp.
She said she couldn't hire one because people who owned one in the area were very protective of them.
So her partner Peter Seghini said 'I'll make one'.
After lots of research on the internet and being able to take a photo of one that belonged to a resident in Dunsborough, Mr Seghini produced a celtic harp in just a couple of weeks.
He said he couldn't make a harp that could be played because of strength of the neck for specific strings which were expensive.
Ms Sanft and her team have brought the play into the 21st century with the technology they use to change scenes and flashback to different parts of Ms O'Hara's life.
She said the audience would find the play funny, sad and enjoy the music.
The director said another challenge was trying to get through the pandemic, as the play was ready to go on stage last year when everything had to be cancelled.
Ms Sanft said her leading actor stayed on with the team because of how much he liked the script.
"It is incredible the work that has to be done for a play to come together," she said.
"I have fantastic people around me to make this happen."
While the official opening night will be on April 16, the first performance will take place on the 15th for the Busselton Croquet Club.
There will be eight shows, with the last one a matinee performance on April 25.
To get tickets, visit trybooking.com/BPKJA
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
