When the curtain was drawn on the final night of Women on the Fringe in September last year, writer, director and Wanneroo parishioner Gerald Searle knew his work was not finished, but he didn’t expect that a DVD production of the play would ever be screened on West Television WTV (Channel 44) to a potential audience of over 35,000.
Women on the Fringe focuses on the lives of women, marginalised because of their gender, nationality, culture, religion and moral standing, who are transformed by their encounter with Jesus.
The play was performed over two days last year at the Prendiville Catholic College performing arts centre, and was filmed by Mr Searle’s fellow parishioner at St Anthony’s, Guido Nigro, with the hope it would be distributed for sale in Catholic parishes across Perth.
Mr Searle said the response to the DVD proved to be disappointing, but unexpected circumstances opened the play to a broader audience, with the production to be screened to the public between December 26 and 30.
“Through his radio contacts, Guido organised an interview for me last year with Peter Jeffries, presenter of World of Art on 95.3,” Mr Searle said.
“Although professing to be an atheist, Peter was impressed with the message the play portrayed and later attended a dress rehearsal and even watched the DVD.
“He was enthused by the excellent quality of the filming so he brought the DVD to the attention of his contacts at WTV.”
Station executives were equally impressed by the play’s universal and contemporary message regarding the marginalisation of women and decided to screen the film.
The play is performed by members of St Simon Peter Players (parishioners from five parishes), and Mr Searle is pleased their hard work and talents, along with the original music composed and performed by Ocean Reef’s Inspiritus Music Group, will be rewarded with two public screenings.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity provided by WTV,” he said.
“We are confident that the humour, suspense, love and conflict portrayed will make people laugh and cry and that it will challenge the audience.”
Despite the play’s scriptural foundations, Mr Searle is adamant the play’s message is still relevant.
“The play reflects Christ’s revolutionary ideas of the time, his universal love with a preference for the poor and marginalised and his breaking down of the patterns of exclusivity,” he said.
“It is first and foremost written to entertain but at the same time, hopefully, this play will inspire us to show love and compassion for all without exception.”
A full screening of the play can be seen on West Television WTV (Channel 44) on December 26 from 11.30pm to 1am.
A second screening will be held over four 30-minute segments: December 27 (1.30pm), December 28 (11.30am), December 29 (11am) and December 30 (2pm).
DVDs of the play are available by contacting Guido Nigro at Nigrowriter@hotmail.com.