The Fury of Mungo Fogg – Richmond Players’ end of year production - is your classic melodrama – full of love, lust, treachery and bloody murder!
Director Josephine Dwyer, of Springwood, said the play was written by amateur playwright Kent Mayo in Uralla, NSW.
“He has written several plays, mostly melodramas, originally for Mrs O’Malley’s Magnificent Music Hall, which was produced every year in Uralla,” Ms Dwyer said. “The show would run for about 12 to 16 performances and was always a dinner theatre.
“The aim at that time was to raise money for the historical society to get McCossins Mill, a historic site next door to the hall, purchased, restored and turned into a museum for the local area. Which they did – it stands proudly today.”
Ms Dwyer was in the original performance of The Fury of Mungo Fogg in 1986.
“It was a turning point for me as I was asked to play the role of Pussy Galore, a wonderful character, a villain who comes good at the end, and also to direct the play as Kent was going to be in Ireland for an extended trip during production,” she said.
“I had never directed before but am so glad I did and that Kent had enough faith in me to entrust me with his script.”
Fast forward 30 years and now audiences can enjoy the show on Richmond Players’ stage in Richmond.
The production will be staged at Richmond School of Arts over the next two Saturdays.
A 2pm matinee and afternoon tea show will be staged on November 25 and December 2; an 8pm evening and dinner show will be held on November 25; and an 8pm evening and light supper show will be held on December 2.
For ticket bookings and prices visit richmondplayers.com.au.
Will the blood thirsty villain Mungo Fogg (played by Nicholas Noel of Blaxland) get what he wants?
Who will survive his bloody path of destruction? Will it be his wife, Pussy Galore (Catherine Gregory of Wilberforce), or the sweet and innocent Lucy Lavender (Heloise Tolar of Pitt Town)?
Or will our hero Ernest Bentleigh-Smythe (James Warren-Smith of Woodford) save the day?
“With a wealth of local talent, this is a melodrama rich with characters you can love, pity, cheer and hate,” Ms Dwyer said.
“Thanks to our MC, Mike Newcombe, audiences will be encouraged to get involved by booing the villain, cheering for the hero and befriending the hopeless and destitute.
“There may be a bloody murder or two...there may me a love story...or lust story.”
Audiences are encouraged to bring their own drinks and nibbles for every show.
Richmond School of Arts is on the corner of West Market Street, Richmond.
