Former Donnybrook resident Melissa Humphries to shine in world premiere

A South West actress is set to star in the world premiere of a new West Australian play this month, written by an award-winning playwright.

Former Donnybrook resident Melissa Humphries will take the stage as part of the world premiere cast of At Home With the Sheridans, when it plays Ed’z Sports Bar Fremantle from May 12-21.

Written by Perth’s Yvette Wall — winner of the Dramafest 2022 Beryl Silvester Award for best new writing — the quirky social drama focuses on people being misjudged, overlooked and ignored because of their socioeconomic standing.

Seasoned burglar Jake takes Marilyn on her first break-and-enter, not expecting Mr Sheridan to suddenly arrive home with his secret lover Zoe.

As the criminals forcefully confront the pair, things get worse when Mrs Sheridan pops in from work to get her phone.

Bunbury Catholic College graduate Humphries takes on the role of lover Zoe, saying the character is the “bridge between worlds”.

“The play has a few plot twists but Zoe is quite complex in her own right,” she says.

“She’s come from a bit of a tough upbringing in her life and she’s someone who’s trying desperately to be something that she’s maybe not, trying to work with the richer people and those who are a bit more successful and she’s really trying to be part of that world.”

Seasoned playwright Wall says the show seeks to explore the theme of survival and the dynamic between different social classes.

“The play is about people with a marked social divide doing what they must to survive, whether it’s emotionally, socially, psychologically or economically,” she says.

“Nobody escapes, not even the Sheridans, but in our societal structure their sins are less visible and excused more often and I wanted to make a social comment about this.”

At Home With the Sheridans will play Ed’z Sports Bar from May 12-21. Tickets are available via TAZTix.