Beaumaris Theatre Inc. acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Beaumaris Theatre stands. We pay our respects to Victoria's First Peoples and their Elders past, present and emerging.

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two ladies

Nancy Harris’s Two Ladies takes place during a high-stakes international summit, where the Presidents of the United States and France are locked in tense negotiations. Meanwhile, down the hall, their wives, Sophia and Hélène, unexpectedly find themselves trapped in the same room, forced to explore what unites and what divides them.

Sophia and Hélène explore their personal lives, political roles and the pressures of being married to powerful leaders, uncovering their shared frustrations about the limits placed on their agency and identity.

Two Ladies is an exploration of a life adjacent to power and the hidden costs of a political life.

Two Ladies runs for approximately 95 minutes without an interval. This play contains adult themes and language and discussions about sexual assault. It is not suitable for children.

When I first brought Irish playwright Nancy Harris’ play Two Ladies to Beaumaris Theatre, I was keen to see it staged while it still had relevance today. Little did I know how much more relevant it would become to the present day as time went along. Originally staged at London’s Bridge Theatre in 2019, during the first Trump administration, the issues and concerns the story raises seemed more fantastical then, but life under Trump’s second reign has brought them into stark perspective.

Harris wrote this play after seeing Melania Trump and the French President’s wife, Brigitte Macron, standing together during Bastille Day anniversary celebrations in 2017, which left her wondering what they thought of their husbands and their over-exaggerated handshaking and backslapping. Were these women embarrassed, exhilarated or bored by their husbands and the three-ring circus surrounding them?

Thus, Two Ladies was born, allowing Harris to explore the equally privileged and controlled worlds of the President’s wives. Is it all glamour and designer clothes, grand receptions and ballrooms, or do the frustrations of being constantly watched and managed create a tension behind the scenes?

While the play Harris eventually wrote is only loosely based on the real-life Melania and Brigitte, here they are Sophia and Hèléne, and their backgrounds are different to reality, it’s the familiar attributes that make the outrageous turns the story takes feel surprisingly believable. What starts out as satire eventually becomes a feminist revenge story that will hopefully leave you with plenty to discuss as you leave the theatre.

I’ve had so much fun putting this Australian premiere production together for Beaumaris Theatre audiences, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of the Production Team and Committee for all their hard work and support in getting this show to the stage.

My amazing cast, led by the incredible Kate Harvey and Urska Sabec, have given their all to deliver truly heartfelt and entertaining storytelling. Thank you, Kate, Urska, Sean, Lara and Camille for your dedication and hard work. Finally, I’d like to thank Trudi Sheppard for first pushing me to submit this play to Beaumaris Theatre, and then for all her assistance in auditions, rehearsals and behind the scenes, always ready with a trusty ear and advice when I needed it most.

I hope you enjoy this story and this production as much as we’ve loved bringing it to you.

Adam Rafferty

Cast

Hélène - Kate Harvey

Sophia - Urska Sabec

Sandy - Lara Williams

Georges - Sean Kelly

Fatima - Camille Gautam

creative team and crew

Director - Adam Rafferty

Production Coordinators - Debbie Keyt & Deb Carpenter

Stage Manager - Rhonda Vaughan

Set Design - Ella Creaton

Costumes- Harry Brammall and Samantha Davies

Lighting Design - Damien Calvert

Lighting Assistant - Amy Calvert

Sound Design - Damien Calvert & Adam Rafferty

Lighting & Sound Operator - Damien Calvert

Set Construction - Andy Creaton

Set Dressing & Decor - Adam Rafferty, Fiona Williams, Deb Carpenter, Andy Creaton

Props - Rhonda Vaughan, Deb Carpenter, Adam Rafferty, Damien Calvert, Kate Harvey

Hair - Trudi Sheppard

Audition Assistants - Glenda May, Trudi Sheppard, Andrea Bashfield

Marketing and program - Kristina Doucouliagos

Photography & videography- Tim Tselepis

Flier Design - Ella Creaton

Front of House Coordinator - Fiona Williams

Front of House Manager - Adam Solomon

Box Office - Beaumaris Theatre Committee Members

Front of House Volunteers - Beaumaris Theatre Members & Friends

With very special thanks to the Bayside Men’s Shed for the loan of chairs and Sofy Zahavi from R&Z Wigs Hair Salon Cheltenham for the wig.

**Adam Rafferty - Director**
This is Adam’s first time directing for Beaumaris Theatre, and he’s very grateful for the opportunity he’s been given to bring this very topical story to an Australian stage for the first time.
Adam’s last time working here was on stage, playing Bud in our lauded production of *The Bridges of Madison County*, a part he cherished. He has also appeared as Carney in *A Man of No Importance*, and as Lt. Jack Ross in *A Few Good Men* (Williamstown Little Theatre), Freddie/Marc in *The Talented Mr Ripley* (Brighton Theatre Company), Neville Landless in *The Mystery of Edwin Drood* (Heidelberg Theatre Company) and Alexander Lord in *The Philadelphia Story* (Malvern Theatre Company).
Adam played Ivan in *The Seafarer* (Hoy Polloy) at fortyfivedownstairs, and Rosen in *The Woodsman* (Act-O-Matic 3000). He was also Assistant Director for *La Cage Aux Folles* at the National Theatre (Quirky Productions). Adam trained in Voice at the Victorian College of the Arts.

**Kate Harvey - Hélène**
Kate is delighted to be part of *Two Ladies*, taking on the role of the French First Lady. She is often drawn to characters who are spirited, witty, and unafraid to take up space, and this role is no exception.
Her favourite roles have included Lydia in *Wicked Sisters* (Williamstown Theatre), Helen, the Russian spy, in *Pack of Lies* (Frankston Theatre, for which she won a Best Characterisation Award), Lisa in *The Corflutes of Kooyong* (the Dandenong Ranges and South Gippsland One Act Play Festivals), and, of course, Clairee in *Steel Magnolias* (Beaumaris Theatre).
Whilst the glamorous and haughty Hélène may not always win immediate sympathy, Kate is fascinated by her intelligence, humour, and undeniable charisma. Beneath the sharp edges is a woman who has made profound personal sacrifices in pursuit of love and a shared vision of greatness. Choices that invite both judgement and understanding.
Thrilled to be working with such a talented cast and crew, she hopes audiences enjoy the humour, tension, and unexpected solidarity that unfolds when two women from very different worlds are left alone together.

**Urska Sabec - Sophia**
Urska was born and raised in Slovenia, where, as young as 8 was already writing and performing in school plays. Her theatre passion continued into high school and university, and at this time she played small roles in Slovenian TV shows and international commercials while working as a model in Slovenia and around Europe.
When Urska came to Australia over 10 years ago, she joined D.K Productions to build up her skills. In 2022, she was cast in *Spring At Marino* (Encore Theatre) and in *Guilty Party, The Great Sebastians, Advise and Consent,* and You Can’t Take It With You (Old Melbournians Theatrical Society). Urska was also the accent coach for Beaumaris Theatre’s *Ladies in Black.*
Urska is overjoyed that *Two Ladies* is her Beaumaris Theatre stage debut.

**Lara Williams - Sandy**
Lara joyfully returns to the stage as she makes her community theatre debut with Beaumaris Theatre in *Two Ladies,* playing the ballsy Sandy.
A self -labelled drama queen since birth, she trained and performed with St Martin’s Youth Theatre and later studied Theatre and Film at Melbourne University. A former school Drama Captain, she has built a strong foundation in performance. Her past roles have ranged from Jesus to Zeus to, memorably, a rubber ducky who finds out what life is like down the plug hole in *Michael Francis Willoughby in Elogulp.*
Lara has also worked as a casting director, giving her insight into the acting craft from both sides of the table. An avid follower of US politics, she is especially excited to be part of *Two Ladies.*

**Sean Kelly - Georges**
Sean is excited to be making his debut with Beaumaris Theatre. He has worked extensively in theatre for over 20 years, beginning with his acting degree at Federation University. During his studies, he performed a range of roles, including Vershinin in *Three Sisters,* Orsino in *Twelfth Night*, and the villainous Yang Sun in *The Good Person of Szechwan.*
Following this, Sean toured Victoria and interstate with OzAct Theatre Company, performing Shakespeare in outdoor locations such as Loch Ard Gorge and the Naracoorte Caves. His characters there included Sebastian in The Tempest and Orlando in *As You Like It.*
After a break to start a family, he returned to the stage in roles including Peter in *It’s Only a Play* (Mordialloc Theatre Company), Joe in *Cul-de-Sac* and Mortimer in *Arsenic and Old Lace* (Encore Theatre). Most recently, he appeared as Orsino in *Twelfth Night* and Paris/ Tybalt in *Romeo and Juliet* (Mornington Peninsula Theatre Company). He also recently took the plunge into film, playing a digital revenant in the film *The Long Road.*

**Camille Gautam - Fatima**
his is Camille’s debut with Beaumaris Theatre, with her first theatrical production being *The Crucible,* followed by *The Appleton Ladies Potato Race*, where she discovered the thrill of live theatre. Prior to this, you may have spotted Camille in *Neighbours*, or in the movie *Shantaram,* or perhaps awkwardly smiling in a commercial.
Camille is beyond excited to be part of *Two Ladies.* Playing Fatima in this sharp, relevant-to-the-times gem has been a rewarding challenge, as Camille worked to bring her character’s strength and courage to life. It has been a pleasure for Camille to work alongside this gifted cast and crew.

**Rhonda Vaughan - Stage Manager**
Rhonda joined Beaumaris Theatre in 2003, although she is rarely seen on stage. She has musically directed many shows at Beaumaris, including The Sound of Music, Grease, A Chorus Line, Chicago and *Ladies in Black,* as well as *OKLAHOMA!* at Aspect Theatre.
Rhonda has also worked backstage in several shows and was the stage manager for *Fawlty Towers* and *Steel Magnolias*. She is a life member of Beaumaris Theatre.

**Ella Creaton - Set Designer**
Ella first joined Beaumaris Theatre in 2022, looking to gain experience with a theatre company to further her interest in set design.
She has worked on the productions *The Vicar of Dibley, Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, The Three Musketeers*, *Little Miss Sunshine, The 70th Anniversary Christmas Panto-Revue*, *Steel Magnolias,* and *The Bridges of Madison County,* creating fabulous sets, puppets and magical props.
Ella recently graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Design.

**Harry Brammall - Costume Designer**
Harry’s love for theatre stems back as far as she can remember. She trained as a professional actress in London, appearing in TV, theatre and film, but now prefers to concentrate on costume making and helping with her teenage kid’s school productions.
Beaumaris Theatre has an amazing community and allows her creativity to flow. She has been part of the costume team for numerous productions, and is happy to be on for the wonderful production of *Two Ladies.*

**Samantha Davies - Costume Designer**
Samantha loves the theatre as her escape from her corporate life and has been making costumes for Beaumaris since 2010, when she helped out with *The Sound of Music*.
She has learnt so much from Jen, Cheryllyn and Harry and continues to love working with this amazing group of women.

**Damien Calvert - Lighting Designer**
Damien has worked with many theatre companies across Melbourne, both on and off the stage. His most recent design credits include lighting design for *Ladies in Black, Knife Edge* (Beaumaris Theatre) and lighting and audio design for Holmes & Watson (Mordialloc Theatre Company).
On stage, you may have seen him as Vice Principal Panch in *The 25th Annual Spelling Bee* (Heidelberg Theatre Company) or Frog in *A Year With Frog and Toad* (Beaumaris Theatre). In his spare time, he is the Company Secretary for OSMaD Musical Theatre, part of the Committee of the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria.

Join us on Spotify to listen to a playlist compiled by the director, Adam Rafferty, and cast that will give you a taste of the themes of Two Ladies and the songs that represent these complex characters. See if you can guess which song lines up with which character!

Beaumaris Theatre was founded by Bill and Angela Martin in 1953. Bill and Angela were thespians who built a theatre in the attic of their home. It housed about twenty audience members and had a small stage and dressing room.

Soon the demand for tickets for these productions far exceeded the space available, so the Martins along with other members of the Beaumaris Players, worked very hard to have the theatre space we now know in Wells Road.

For the last 70 years, thespians from all walks of life and various backgrounds have been treading the prestigious boards laid by Bill and Angela. We are delighted to continue their legacy of producing theatre for the Bayside community and beyond.

BEAUMARIS THEATRE COMMITTEE

President - Debbie Keyt

Vice-President - Adam Solomon

Treasurer - Jenni Osburn

Secretary & Public Officer - Lynda French

Marketing Manager & Membership Secretary - Kristina Doucouliagos

Committee Members - Camilla Klesman, Deb Carpenter, Fiona Williams, Georgy Charles, Harrison Ewart-Dart and Stephen White.

BEAUMARIS THEATRE LIFE MEMBERS

Bill Martin; Angela Martin; Roger North; Esme North; Roy Baldwin; Bea Beckwith; Anne Lowe; Jean Freer; Beth Kelsall; John Rees-Osborne; Nancy Sutch-Taylor; Edda Dawson; Barbara Franks; Annie Laurenson; Jenny Mullholland; Stephen Mulholland; Don Strong; Taffy Strong; Michael Coultas; Graham Eddie; Derek Curd; Janine Chugg; Debbie Keyt; Robyn Morris; Steve Morris; Neil Barnett; Rhonda Vaughan; Vince Vaughan; Danny Forward; Jenni Osburn; Trevor Osburn; Kristina Doucouliagos; Fred Pezzimenti and Camilla Klesman.