Author Anna Bennetts made a surprise trip from Perth to see the production by the Northam Theatre Group directed by Rhonda Oliver in Short ‘n’ Curly, a festival of one-act plays.

“She had nothing but praise for the performers who interpreted her work and was honoured to be in the audience,” Rhonda said.

“We were all pleased that she had made the effort to visit,” she said.

Cast member Ali Hince said she was glad that she did not know Anna was in the audience until after the cast had performed.

“It would have been unnerving to go on stage knowing she was in the audience,” she said.

‘The Same Paige’ was the last of three plays to be performed on the night and Anna was complimentary about the talent on display in Northam.

The festival encourages new directors and gives them a chance to work in collaboration with fellow theatre members.

The cast of Short ‘n’ Curly performed to large audiences on the three nights and Friday’s show was in front of a full house.