I recently had the pleasure of dressing Hetty Kate for her role as Ava Gardner in “Ava (At the End of the World)”, a new production-in-progress at the Spiegeltent Saturday next week (March 30th).

Written by Eric McCusker, the production deals with the events of 1959 when “Hollywood Came to Town” for the filming of Nevile Shute’s book “On the Beach” – the dream cast included Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire and Ava Gardner, who was soon followed by her ex-husband (and still besotted) Frank Sinatra.

At the cast reading, you’ll get Hetty Kate singing with a Big Band and a chance to see a musical in its formative stages – all in the wonderful surrounds of my favourite venue, the Famous Spiegeltent.

Tickets available now – and here’s a nice write up in the Age.

Eric McCusker and Hetty Kate in ’50s Horrockses dress, petticoats, pearls and parasol by Circa Vintage – I really do get to meet the most interesting people.