Blaxland and Daughter Productions to perform two plays at Bella Vista Farm Park

FROM the perilous escape at sea of a convict to jumping down the rabbit hole, the Hills are invited to two enthralling Summer Series plays.

Wendy Blaxland as The Queen of Hearts and Jessica Blaxland Ashby as Alice for their Alice in Wonderland stage show at Bella Vista Farm Park. Picture: Carmela Roche

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FROM the perilous escape at sea of a convict to jumping down the rabbit hole, the Hills are invited to the enthralling Summer Series plays, Pioneers in Petticoats and Alice in Wonderland.

Written by Wendy Blaxland and directed by Jessica Blaxland Ashby, the mother-daughter team are set to entertain audiences against the backdrop of the historic Bella Vista Farm on January 12 at 10am and noon and January 14 from 10am, noon and 3.30pm.

The two plays will go ahead rain, hail or shine this week.

As a descendant of one of Australia’s great pioneers — Gregory Blaxland — Wendy Blaxand has always had a love of history.

“History has always been fascinating,” she said. “We know so much about the men but not enough about the women.”

Brigid O’Sullivan stars in the one-woman show Pioneers in Petticoats.

The play delves into the lives of pioneering Australian women.

Pioneers in Petticoats delves into the lives of four of Australia’s trailblazing women, such as First Fleet convict Mary Bryant who escaped the penal colony by open boat and scientist Fanny Macleay.

Ms Blaxland said it was also fun to adapt Alice in Wonderland, the classic that has delighted audiences for more than 100 years.

“It’s great fun for the whole family,” she said. “It’s great to see grandparents and children alike laughing and enjoying the show.”

Alice in Wonderland has been adapted to include modern elements.

Ms Blaxland said the play would involve audience participation to engage the crowd.

“Theatre is such a unique experience. It uses the power of imagination and you need to capitalise on that human interaction,” she said.

Bookings and details:

1800 068 849 or blaxlandanddaughter.com

WIN TICKETS

Hills Shire Times readers have the chance to win two double passes for Pioneers in Petticoats for Saturday, January 14 at 3.30pm and two family passes (for four people) for Alice in Wonderland for Thursday, January 12 at either the 10am or 12pm showing.

Email your name and contact number to [e-mail] to win. The winner will be contacted by the theatre group.