Showing the comedy of family life

Theatre

The latest production of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, encompasses not only multi-generational characters, but also actors ranging in experience from the veteran to the novice.

Written by Eduardo de Filippo, one of Italy's most-loved 20th century playwrights, Saturday, Sunday, Monday is set in the Italy of the 1950s. The play revolves around the life of Donna Rosa and her husband Don Peppino Priore, and their interaction with their large extended family, friends and neighbours, all residing in the same apartment block in Naples.

John Edge, the Chair of the Theatre Guild, plays Donna Rosa's father, Don Antonio Piscopo. Saturday, Sunday, Monday will mark his 36th appearance in a Theatre Guild production.

"Saturday, Sunday, Monday is a comedy of family life. It shows the everyday aspects of life in Naples through an endearing albeit eccentric bunch of characters," Mr Edge said.

"I play the old grandfather of the family who owns the house and has plenty of money, but blows up periodically and is becoming a bit vague with age."

One of Don Antonio's grandsons, Roberto, is played by David Kavanagh, who is an Arts and Social Sciences student at the University of Adelaide. He also holds the position of Male Sexuality Officer at the Students' Association of the University of Adelaide (SAUA).

This is David's first production with the Theatre Guild, although he was active in theatre at high school and has also previously been involved with the youth theatre company, Shout.

"As the Students' Association representative on the board of management of the Theatre Guild, I came to know about the play and the director thought I might be good for the part," Mr Kavanagh said.

"I love the humour of the play, it borders on the absurd yet it is realistically dramatic."

Story by Sukhmani Khorana

Saturday, Sunday, Monday will be performed at Little Theatre and begins on Saturday, August 6, and runs from Tuesday, August 9 to Saturday, August 13 and Tuesday, August 16 to Saturday, August 20 at 7.30 pm. Tickets are $20/$15, and are available from the Theatre Guild on (08) 8303 5999.