Unforgettable wartime tale heads to Benalla en route to Melbourne’s iconic Shrine

By Contributed

Mar 31, 2025

Limelight Touring Company’s Laura Gundrill, Brenda Spilva and Colette Quin are bringing *The Shoe-Horn Sonata* to Benalla. Photo: Millicent Quin.

Local professional theatre group Limelight Touring Company will present two performances of John Misto’s The Shoe-Horn Sonata at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, but not before a Benalla audience gets to see the show.

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The Shoe-Horn Sonata tells the powerful story of two women, a nurse and a civilian, reuniting 50 years after their release from a Japanese prison camp during World War II, with Limelight performers Brenda Spilva and Colette Quin set to reprise their lead roles as Bridie Cartwright and Sheila Richards respectively, under the direction of Laura Gundrill.

Ms Gundrill said all involved at Limelight Touring Company were excited about the tour, alongside the shows at the Shrine of Remembrance.

“As my first directing role, I feel incredibly privileged to be directing The Shoe-Horn Sonata at the Shrine of Remembrance, a location steeped in such history and significance,” she said.

“John Misto crafted this play not only as a compelling narrative but as a heartfelt memorial to the Australian wartime nurses and the civilians who suffered and perished during World War II.

“It is an honour to be showcasing the resilience of these women through the characters of Shelia and Bridie.

“Their story shines a light on the often overlooked contributions of women in wartime, highlighting themes of courage, friendship and survival against unimaginable odds.”

The Shrine of Remembrance performances take place on April 29, but the show will tour the north-east in the days before and after:

Benalla Art Gallery - Anzac Day, April 25 from 2.30pm.
Wilby Memorial Hall - Saturday, April 26 from 2pm.
Rutherglen Memorial Hall - Friday May 2 from 7pm.
Numurkah Town Hall - Saturday, May 3 from 2pm.
Oxley Shire Hall - Sunday, May 4 from 2pm.

The production was made possible through $13,700 in funding from the Victorian Veterans Council and state government’s Victoria Remembers grants program, which supports projects honouring or commemorating veterans’ service, with Auspicious Arts Projects Inc managing the budget on its behalf.

Tickets for the regional performances of The Shoe-Horn Sonata are on sale now.

For bookings visit www.limelighttouring.com/shoehorn and for more information visit www.limelighttouring.com

Article courtesy of the Wangaratta Chronicle.