Take Two, a double bill of laughter and longing includes two plays written by local writers.

Seeds written by Michelle Pettigrove and directed by Frankie J Holden explores the agony and the expectation, the dreams and the realities, the ins and the outs, of IVF. The cast includes Michelle Pettigrove, Amanda Rafferty, Jodie Meaker and Amber Little. 

It is both a heartbreaking and humorous insight into the minds and lives of four diverse women on a common quest for fulfilment.

Author Michelle Pettigrove said she originally wrote Seeds as a one-woman, one act play which was produced in the 2001 ‘Festival of One’ in Adelaide.

It has since been performed by a number of solo women (including a touring production through Lithuania) This is the first time it has been presented by a cast of four.

“Seeds was written towards the end of my two-year long, unsuccessful IVF ordeal. Ultimately, however, I was unable to perform the original role in the play’s premiere as I was heavily pregnant,” Pettigrove said.

“Most of the elements that make up the stories in Seeds are from my own experience but I respect that everyone’s journey is different. I hope that by sharing these experiences, women will see that they are not alone, or crazy for wanting and going to extraordinary lengths to have a child. Every woman has a story,” Pettigrove said.

Hands up who’s not here! is written and directed by John Fraser. The play reveals the crazy consequences when when three couples are duped into spending a free weekend at what they have been told is a five star bush retreat.

Cast includes David Foster, Di Johnson, John Fraser, Greg Whitby, Denise Dion, Loretta Walsh, Aria Little and Ben Pettit.

It’s a hilarious look at how the three different couples react when things don’t go quite as expected.

Writer and director John Fraser also plays one of the roles in the play which he wrote earlier this year.

He was prompted to write the play after considering how dependent we have all become on electricity and modern conveniences.

“I recall going to Towamba with a mate where his mother used to cook on a solid fuel stove and it struck me that you had to light a fire before you could eat,” Fraser said.

“Less than 100 years ago a lot of people didn’t have cars or electricity and I started to wonder what would happen to people today. That’s when the idea struck me.

“We’ve become that dependant on modern conveniences that we have forgotten a lot of basic survival techniques,” Fraser said.

Take Two, a double bill of laughter and longing will be performed at Twyford Hall, Merimbula September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, starting at 7.30pm. These performances are all cabaret style where the audience is invited to bring their refreshments to enjoy during the show (glasses are provided).

There are two theatre style seating performances on September 9 and 16 at 2pm.

All performances $35. Warning - the play 'Seeds' contains adult themes.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.spectrumtheatregroup.com.au and click on the buy tickets button where you can select your own seats through Spectrum’s online booking system. If you need help please don’t hesitate to call the helpline on 0466 096 217.