"We're excited but a little nervous," Maitland Repertory Theatre secretary Ian Robinson admitted.
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He was referring to the fact the Repertory Theatre is about to restart production for the first time since COVID lockdown first kicked in back in March.
"We did a play right at the start of the year called Australia Day, and then another after that called Mr Melancholy which had no sooner finished than we went into lockdown on March 15," Mr Robinson said. "We haven't done anything since."
But that will change on Wednesday, December 9 when they produce the darkly funny A Doll's House, by Henrick Ibsen. It will run until December 19, and include eight performances with three matinees.
"We can have 75 people in the theatre, which is half our usual number," he said.
"Previously we would have been limited to 30 which wouldn't have been viable."
Repertory Theatre volunteers have been using the COVID shutdown to paint the interior of the hall as well as renovate and paint the restrooms and dressing room.
The play itself is in the hands of 21-year-old director Nicholas Thoroughgood and has a cast of six.
"Nicholas is young but very enthusiastic and surprisingly experienced for someone so young," Mr Robinson said. "It's a good cast too, so we're confident it will be well received."
The play tells of a woman's struggle against a domineering husband and one decision she makes that will greatly impact her situation. It was written in the late 19th century.
Anna Lambert plays the main character, Nora Helmer. Nora smiles all the time, she laughs, she hums and dances. She loves her husband and would do anything to protect him.
Other cast members are Lachlan Fairhall (Torvald Helmer), Hannah King (Christine Linde), Carl Gregory (Nils Krogstad), Campbell Knox (Doctor Rank) and Emma Saxby-Tisdell (Helen/Anne).
COVID restrictions means the usual supper at interval will be held on the lawn out front of the theatre, weather permitting.
There will be QR code upon entering, with volunteers on hand to assist those unfamiliar with it.
Because of the Repertory Theatre's on-stage hibernation, season ticket holders can use their tickets until the end of 2021 to see their allocated number of productions.
Tickets are $20/$25 and bookings can be made online at www.mrt.org.au or by calling 0466 332 766 (10am - 2pm daily).