Written and directed by former journalist Bob Charteris of Woodvale Don’t Shoot The Messenger is set in a present-day newsroom as management decides the newspaper should become completely digital.
The story is seen through the eyes of two veteran journalists who yearn for a return to the ‘good old days’ of journalism.
“We live in a changing world and sometimes the changes happen so fast, it’s easy to get left behind,” Charteris said.
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READ NOW“One world which has changed beyond recognition is the media.
“I started in newspapers in England in 1964 when the production process was known as ‘hot metal’ where the stories were set in metal and pages created through various processes ended up as a newspaper on your breakfast table.
“Many of the jobs in the industry, such as linotype operators, compositors and proofreaders, who all helped create the pages, have gone.
“Journalists can now upload their pages directly so the work of the sub-editors is limited with anyone now able to set up an online newspaper, meaning checks and balances are but a memory.”
Charteris said the main challenge in the play was trying to create a sense of nostalgia while conceding that progress is inevitable.”
The Broken Slipper is the second play showing on the bill. Written by Woodvale resident Yvette Wall and directed Alida Chaney, of Greenwood, the show is a black comedy about Cinderella facing the Fairytale Tribunal after breaking the rules by not marrying Prince Charming.
Is also features Red Riding Hood’s grandma, a menopausal Snow White and Hansel and Gretel’s wicked witch.
“Through the dramatic antics of these wonderful fairytale characters, we see the appeal of living happily ever after but at what price,” Wall said.