Among the characters audiences will meet in Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company’s upcoming October production of The Heartbreak Choir, are Peter and his son Beau, a father and son navigating the raw ache of grief after the loss of their wife and mother.
Peter, played by Andy Parry, is a local police officer who decides to join the choir his late wife once belonged to.
At first, it is a gesture filled with hesitation, a way of holding on to her memory.
Over time, the choir becomes something more, along the way Peter begins to rediscover connection, laughter and the possibility of moving forward.
C.J Stephens brings the role of Beau to life, adding another layer of tenderness to the story.
Wrestling with their loss in his own way, Beau’s relationship with his father is complicated by the unspoken weight between them.
The choir becomes a bridge, not only to the memory of a beloved mother, but also to a new understanding of his father.
Peter and Beau embody the play’s central themes that grief is never simple, and that healing often comes in unexpected forms. Music, laughter and community provide the scaffolding for two people who feel broken, but who slowly begin to find strength again.
Together with the other members of the ensemble, Peter and Beau remind audiences that The Heartbreak Choir is not just about singing, it is about what singing gives back to those who need it most.
The Heartbreak Choir will run for six performances only at The Forge Theatre, opening on Friday, October 17 and concluding with a final matinee on Sunday, October 26.
As is tradition, opening night profits will be donated to Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, with patrons attending the premiere also enjoying a complimentary glass of bubbly and a supper provided by New Leaf Café.
Further information can be found on the Forge Theatre and Production Line websites and Facebook pages.
