FORMER Northam resident Patricia Bona is appearing in a play from the author of the Academy Award-winning To Kill A Mockingbird screenplay this May.
Written by Horton Foote and directed by Kim Martin at Roleystone Theatre, The Trip To Bountiful is a poignant story of an ageing widow unhappily living with her son and daughter-in-law in a small city apartment.
She longs to return to the town of Bountiful where she grew up and finally manages to make the journey with the audience discovering more about her early life and disappointments along the way.
Ultimately, she is reconciled to the reality of her present situation and faces the future with peace.
Originally written for television in 1953, The Trip To Bountiful made its Broadway debut the same year and scored Tony, Theatre World and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
It was revived for Broadway last year, scoring numerous Tony Award nominations.
Foote turned his script into a 1985 film, scoring an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay and a best actress Oscar for Geraldine Page.
Mrs Bona plays the ageing widow Mrs Watts, frustrated at being cooped up in a city flat after spending her life on a farm.
"It builds up to an all-out desperate attempt to go back to her home," the Northam Senior High School alumnus said.
"Mrs Watts has become strong-willed and determined.
"She has a warm heart that has become more and more angry and frustrated, following years of interactions with her daughter-in-law, far away from her beloved home of Bountiful."
First acting 40 years ago in various plays and musicals around Perth, Mrs Bona is a life member of Roleystone Theatre and sings professionally with Musicantes a group that sings at corporate functions, outdoor concerts and backyard parties.
The Trip To Bountiful appealed to her because of the variation of emotions needed to portray Mrs Watts.
"It's been a great challenge to grasp the frustration and depth of emotion she feels in re-living her life during her trip back to her home town," Mrs Bona said.
"And I've always enjoyed working with the director Kim Martin in the past in many productions over the years."
Mr Martin said he first saw the movie version many years ago, thinking it a beautiful and moving story.
"The Trip To Bountiful deals with many issues that people face at one time or another in their journey through life, whether it's lost dreams, lost love, disappointments or family tensions," Mr Martin said.
"They're all dealt with in a very compassionate yet realistic way most audience members will find something they identify closely with."
The Trip To Bountiful plays at 8pm May 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17 with a 2pm matinee May 11.
Tickets are $20, $15 concession book on 9397 5730 or at www.roleystonetheatre.com.au.
Roleystone Theatre is located at 587 Brookton Highway, Roleystone, opposite the Croyden Road junction.
