THE perils of growing up and growing old are being explored in a frank and funny family drama at Melville Theatre this November and December.

Written by April de Angelis and directed by Miles Openshaw, Jumpy focuses on 50-year-old Hilary who is in an unexciting marriage, faces redundancy at work and has a volatile relationship with her rebellious teenage daughter.

When Hilary discovers her daughter is pregnant, she embarks on a journey for self-understanding – with surprising and comical results.

“The thing I really like about this play is how it focuses on the ordinariness of life,” Openshaw said.

“It looks at the conflict of generational ideas and makes us examine how we navigate through family crises while still retaining a level of intimacy and love.

“Through Hilary, we see how difficult it is to let go of the roles that have become so much a part of her identity while she tries to find a new role in a society that worships youthfulness.” 

A director, producer, writer and actor for the past 15 years, Openshaw has worked extensively in professional, community and youth theatre in London.

“With Jumpy, it’s great to be working on a play that gives two strong female characters in their 50s centre-stage, allowing us to hear their voices,” he said. “They’re voices that are so frequently overlooked in contemporary drama.  

“The main challenge is establishing a believable central mother-daughter relationship that’s not just based on them shouting at each other – it needs to have some depth and vulnerability to it.”

Jumpy plays 8pm November 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, December 1 and 2 with a 2pm matinee November 26. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au.

Please note: the play has adult themes and some coarse language.

Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.