OWN Theatre Group leapt into being in 1988 on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra.
Here, a small band of feisty older women made a lively presentation of original skits and songs to force the attention of politicians and the media to the presence of older women.
The message of this gathering was that older women were no longer content to remain invisible and silent about their political concerns.
One of the founders of the Theater Group, Peggy Hewett, passed away on the 17th November 2021. Peggy’s vision, creativity and endless energy ensured that the Older Women’s Network Theatre Group survived beyond its first tentative steps, and continued to thrive. You can read about Peggy’s life here.
The Theatre Group continues to inform and entertain audiences in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of the State. OWN Theatre Group is a project of the Older Women’s Network NSW.
The group meets every Tuesday for rehearsals at OWN NSW’s Newtown Wellness Centre at 8-10 Victoria Street, Newtown, NSW 2042.
Performances
Promotions
Education
Demonstrations
Community Action
All the members of the group have responsibilities toward the smooth running of the group, which isn’t too hard, because we all enjoy each other’s company. We have a Coordinator, an Assistant Coordinator, a Director, and a Pianist.
We’re always looking for new members with hidden (or obvious) talents! Are you a performer, a musician, a composer, a choreographer – or maybe you always wanted to be but everybody told you to ‘get a real job’? Well now’s your chance!
It’s time to strut your stuff before the words “break a leg” become a health warning. Then again, you may be fighting fit, and top of your class at the ladies gym – in which case perhaps you could give serious consideration to becoming our roadie? Yes, we do tour, oh it may not be exactly a rock star lifestyle, but what happens on tour, stays on tour! That’s not an ageist dig at our memories – we’re all part actor, part elephant. Thank goodness we have a great Director/Wrangler to get us all to the stage and make sure the right parts perform!
Our vision is to educate audiences, through songs and skits, about the issues facing older women today. We seek to do this through positive messages and to show our audiences the joy that comes from belonging to our theatre group.
You will be beside yourself with fun. What are you waiting for?
At the beginning of 2020 the NSW OWN Theatre Group performend at the Adelaide Fring Festival with ‘Don’t Knock Your Granny’. Watch the preview video and read the review below.
Fringe Review: Don’t Knock Your Granny 2020
This wonderful fun production has a serious message: they really want to draw attention to elder abuse, which is rife in our society but stays so well hidden most of the time.
With their pianist, Janice Beavan and their artistic director Jo Cahill these feisty women keep their audience entertained even when they make you want to cry.
Norma Bastock, Halcyon Evans, Maz Goldrick, Itojo Hardie, Fiona Ninnes, Brigid Sen, Mary Smith, Ruth Thompson, Rita Tratt and Miranda Walker are certainly old, they range in age from 60s to 90s and no-one would dispute that they are feisty, but there is a lot of life in this show.
You might also be interested in:
Blue Mountains The Blue Mountains Older Women’s Network is a group of inclusive, proactive and supportive, like-minded women who meet monthly.
Wyong Wyong OWN endeavours to provide an opportunity for older women to voice concerns and opinions and be heard. We pass on local community news and raise awareness of worldwide women’s issues. Friendship and acceptance of women are important.
Southern Highlands Join the conversion with other like-minded older women in the Southern Highlands. Meeting monthly for companionship with many activities planned including bookclubs, walking groups and community involvement.
DO YOU WANT TO FIND A GROUP TO JOIN? STAY INFORMED? VOLUNTEER? ATTEND AN EVENT? DONATE?
Find out today how you can get involved and shape the future of older women in Australia.
We would love to hear from you. Any enquiry is welcome and we value your contribution.
