By Ashleigh Howarth
Get ready for a night of singing, dancing, laughter and festive fun when Aussie actress Lynne McGranger and her fellow Grandparent Heroes take to the stage at the Redland Performing Arts Centre in November.
Starring alongside Wayne Scott Kermond, Andrew James and Leigh Archer, Lynne returns in Christmas in the Grandparents Club, the third instalment in the hit Australian musical comedy trilogy, complete with a brand-new storyline and plenty of holiday mayhem.
Speaking to The Community Leader Redlands, the Gold and Silver Logie winner said the show was the perfect way to ease into the Christmas spirit.
“I like to think of this show as a Christmas entrée – it’s like a nice prawn cocktail before you sit down to have your main Christmas lunch or dinner,” Lynne said.
“With so much happening on stage and lots of funny, heartfelt, joyful, chaotic and family diplomacy moments, you are sure to experience a wide range of emotions.
“You’ll laugh, you might shed a little tear, and hopefully leave feeling like you’ve had a really lovely night out and are ready for Christmas.”
The 90-minute musical follows the gang in a new adventure as they navigate the many challenges that come with Christmas – impossible gift wish lists, complicated dietary requirements, synchronised family arrivals, keeping family diplomacy intact, and last-minute drama to test even the most organised grandparent.
“The four mates get together at a camping ground and what happens next is an incident that stops them from getting home,” Lynne said.
“There are so many obstacles that all the characters must face, but the show being that it is, you can guarantee that there will be plenty of mischief and madness.”
Having recently become a grandma for the first time, Lynne said the show now resonates with her in a whole new way.
“Becoming a grandmother has given this show a whole new meaning for me. There is something incredibly special about joining this wonderful club,” she said.
“To celebrate it on stage every night with audiences who understand the unique love, laughter and absolute chaos that comes with family life is a joy.”
The role has also given Lynne another reason to appreciate the special bond she shares with her fellow cast members.
“Every time we go out on stage, we just have so much fun together, bounce off one another, and I believe the audience absorbs that, which only adds to their evening as well,” she said. “To me, it doesn’t even feel like work.”
Christmas in the Grandparents Club will be performed at the Redland Performing Arts Centre on November 26, with a 3pm matinee followed by an evening performance at 7pm.
Tickets are available at rpac.com.au.
This story was written for The Community Leader Redlands.