Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin

November 10-13, 1999

This full-length older adluts cabaret performered  by the Grey Panthers featured guest performances by the Filipino Seniors Citizens Association. Reluctant Retirees (Taking the Plunge) took us on a journey of two women about to retire. One cannot wait and looks forward to the happy days, while the other fears the loss of herself through a lack of connection with her work world. Through song and dance the women faced their fears and joys as they travelled through retirement to a time where there was never enough time to do everything that is on offer for the senior woman!

Director’s Notes – Merrilee Mills

Welcome. A show, which we hope, will offer a glimpse into some of the issues associated with retirement, and serve to illustrate some of the varying responses to what can be a difficult and challenging time.

The process of putting the show together over the last few weeks has been one filled with learning, and with much, much laughter. My thanks go to the production team: to the ever charming and unstoppable David McMicken, and to Neil, Eunice, Mandy, Ben and Yoris, for their fabulous support of the production. Special thanks to Sarah Calver, not only for her input into this piece, but for the vision and commitment that brought the Grey Panthers project into being in the first place and ensured its continuity.

Of course my greatest thanks go to the Grey Panthers. These are women who are constantly renewing and reinventing themselves. The histories they have had as vibrant younger women are continually repeating. Through their example they urge us all to “take the plunge” – as they have – into a full and active life.

Creative Personnel

Director: Merrilee Mills
Executive Producer: David McMicken
Production Manager: Eunice de Ramos
Lighting Designer and Technician: Neil Macknight
Photographer: Yoris Wilson

The Performers

Lucy Aylett, Kath Baldwin, Kay Brown, Adie Bruce, Bette Chapman, Delicia Cooke, Jean Dempsey, Audrey Gorring, Kathleen Harding, Glad Morris, Greta Quong, Hanna Stamm, Audrey Svara, Mavis Waddell

Scenario

• Work
• Time Part 1
• The Retirement Party
• Retirement, Beginning To Find a New Way Of Life
• Taking The Plunge
• Time Part 2
• History Repeating

Tracks Dance 1999

Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Administrator: Amanda Carlton

Inaugural Committee Members: David Taylor (Chair), Ken Conway (Vice-Chair) Chris Raynal (Treasurer), Rukshana Ramachandran (Secretary/Public Officer), Tania Lieman, Jackie Wurm, Kez Hall, Nick Papandonakis (Ordinary Committee Members), David McMicken and Tim Newth (Ex-Officio Members)