Canberra Repertory Society's production of Under Milk Wood begins with actors sitting on a row of chairs on a bare stage.
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Dylan Thomas' 1953 play began as a work for radio, so that might seem apt, but as the work progresses and the residents of the Welsh coastal town of Llareggub are introduced, more settings are revealed to bring the location and its people to life.
The 10 actors play more than 60 characters among them.
They keep a list backstage to remind them of who they're playing, and when.
Geoffrey Borny's selection includes Mr Waldo.
''He's constantly drunk and constantly fathering children,'' Borny said.
''He has his fifth paternity summons during the show.''
Borny said one of the things of which director Duncan Ley was mindful was the necessity to not lose sight of Thomas' language in bringing the work to the stage.
''The language is fabulous.''
Thomas, he said, was idealising the little seaside towns he remembered from his youth, and always loved.
''It's full of jokes and beautiful observations of village life,'' he said. The town's very name is a sly joke (say it backwards).
Borny noted the huge contribution of the stage crew, who keep moving scenery and props about to give the production its sense of theatre.
Alice Ferguson plays, among other characters, Mrs Pugh, a bitter woman married to an exemplary husband.
''She's just bitter,'' Ferguson said. So much so, in fact, that her husband begins planning to do away with her.
But can such a furtive activity be kept secret for long in a small town?
She also plays Mrs Dai Bread One, the first wife of Dai Bread.
''She's a fairly simple soul.''
And he's a bigamist: there's also a Mrs Dai Bread Two. She's a dark, sexy gypsy. And the two women are friends.
They're just a couple of the many, many characters who are introduced.
Ferguson said, ''It's a show where people who have been in it say it's wonderful, just a wonderful experience.''
And she was now one of them.
- Under Milk Wood is on at Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton from April 12 to 27, Wednesday to Saturday at 8pm with 2pm matinees on April 20, 21 and 27. Tickets $40 full, $35 concession. Bookings:6257 1950 or canberrarep.org.au.