The Haphazard Gardener is described as an original adult comedy of modern manners and is being produced in collaboration with the Black Comedy Company 2020.
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Ms Eldridge said she was often told by friends that she had lived an interesting life, teaching in places such as the middle-east, which would be an engaging subject for a play.
“I worked as teacher for Al-Jazeera international school in Doha, Qatar, and also at the British school in Benghazi with the primary students,” Ms Eldridge said.
“I was in Benghazi during the conflict in 2011 when Gaddafi was deposed.
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“Whilst that was going on the Brotherhood looked after me and all they asked is that one day I might tell their story.
“So I decided to make it a black comedy, with a serious side - and a bit of heartache.
“And I wanted to show people the way country life can restore your trust in people.
“I had a bit of PTSD when I got back, but reconnecting with local groups in my area helped a lot - in fact it was wonderful.
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“Those groups and people gave me back my sense of place.”
The Haphazard Gardener is he story of a retiree in rural Victoria who is finding solace in her garden and music after returning from a teaching post in a war zone.
Art echoes reality in that the rhythm of country life restores her trust in people, thereby encouraging her to seek love via BBC classic radio - with bizarre consequences.
Ms Eldridge said she began writing the play in May last year.
“I found that I had it completed in just a coupe of months,” she said.
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“So I performed the first act in Bonnie Doon last year and found that the jokes went down really well.
“That encouraged me to write the second act, which I had finished by October and I am looking forward to performing it in its entirety in Swanpool.”
The show will play for one night only on Friday, March 6, from 7.30 pm in the Swanpool Community Hall.
Tickets are $25 and are available from the Swanpool Hall Box Office, the Wallaby Ritz, 55 High St Mansfield (during business hours), and from the Bonnie Doon Community Centre Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.
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