DOLLS FROM THE SKY to Premiere at OId Mill Theatre

A WORLD premiere at the OId Mill Theatre this September ponders whether the war is really over when a Polish migrant works as a housekeeper for an Australian ex-serviceman.

Written by Yvette Wall and directed by Mary Wolfla, Dolls From The Sky is set in 1953 and explores bigotry, racism, grief and various struggles as the former serviceman is visited by local parishioners who cause tensions to rise as various truths are revealed.

The show is part of the theatre's short play season, titled An Anzac Duo, and was inspired by Wall's parents' journey as post-war immigrants to Australia.

"Some of the Polish character's journey in Dolls From The Sky is based on my mother's actual story," Wall said. "She came out from east Africa on the General WC Langfitt to Fremantle in 1950.

"My father arrived from British India in 1948 and had a keen interest in World War II history that he passed on to me.

"I did some historical research to write this play - it's dedicated to my parents."

Director Mary Wolfla said Dolls From The Sky focuses on a woman's struggle with loss after losing a partner in the war and explores how three different women are living with the war's aftermath.

"You meet a war veteran affected by post-traumatic stress disorder who, although an alcoholic and recluse, still believes in the power of closure when struggling with loss," she said.

"I like the play because it talks about war from a woman's eyes and examines the emotional toll it took on women and small communities after the men didn't come home from the war.

"It looks at a woman's need for closure after the loss of her husband on the battlefield - something that was very real for women left behind after World War I and II."

Wolfla said directing a play that had never been performed was her main challenge.

"I am thrilled to be working closely with the playwright Yvette Wall, both as an actress [she plays Margaret] and as the creator of this work," she said.

"I am lucky Yvette is taking this opportunity to workshop the script, making the rehearsal process a valuable time for her and I to really examine the layout of the play and make sure all the parts fit neatly together.

"In working collectively, I hope my directorial decisions fit Yvette's ideas, as well as give her and the rest of the cast the opportunity to feel as though they own a small part of this never-performed play.

"When directing a work that has never been performed before, it's a first time for everything, allowing me to make creative choices from my own experiences and not being informed by a previous director's work."

Joining Dolls From The Sky for the Old Mill Theatre's season of short plays is Armistice Day by Noel O'Neill.

Directed by Valerie Dragojevic, Armistice Day finds three World War I soldiers meeting a year after November 11, 1918, to celebrate peace - but they find out the price of peace is far too high.

Dolls From The Sky and Armistice Day play at 8pm September 2, 3, 4 and 5 under the collective title An Anzac Duo. All tickets are $20 - book at http://oldmilltheatre.com.au/tickets or on 9367 8719.

The short play season is the fifth in a year of all-Australian plays at the Old Mill Theatre to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing in 2015.

The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth (opposite the Windsor Hotel and Australia Post).

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