Wedding Island Program

Elise Nicol

Thanks to the Pittwater Offshore Men’s Shed for supplying the bar

Mara plays Tracy, the bride. Tracy is a paradox: at times introverted, at others she’s a committed environmentalist. But she’s down-to-earth in every sense. 

Mara is from Germany and arrived on the island as an au pair. Besides looking after three island boys, Mara has discovered the sense of community that theatre can bring, and enjoys the diversity of people who make up the cast. 

As a child Mara participated in musicals, but says she’s happy to leave the singing to others, feeling more at home in acting.

Sophie is a multi-talented artist with a passion for all aspects of film and theatre. Demonstrating the point, Sophie is directing the play as well as taking on the part of Chloe the bridesmaid, a conservative real estate agent who doesn’t like anything getting between her and the next sale.

Originally Belgian, Sophie moved to Avalon Beach over a decade ago, before finally settling in Elvina Bay with her husband and son. She has a number of film and theatre credits to her name, as actor, writer, director and producer. 

Elise shares the role of Tracy’s granddaughter. Elise is nine years old and, just like her character, loves hearing stories. But Elise likes creating them too, as well as drawing.  

Elise also practices Jiu-jitsu and is a singer, having been in a small choir. 

Although Elise has no experience in theatre, she has committed herself to her part, regularly attending rehearsals and watching the grown-ups make fools of themselves. 

Alix is Elise’s mother. In the play, Alix has been cast in the role of Jade, the esoteric wedding celebrant who tries, unsuccessfully, to wed the happy couple.  

 Alix grew up on Réunion Island, a department of France in the Indian Ocean. She moved to Scotland Island in 2016.  

Despite having no experience as a performer, Alix has tried to step outside her comfort zone in recent years, having sung in a homeschool choir since 2022 and having joined the offshore Christmas carols choir last year. This is her first go at acting.

May shares the role of Tracy’s granddaughter with Elise. May is twelve years old and will already be known to many on the island, having sung in the hall and at the latest island festival alongside her brother Will.   

Formerly a gymnast and cheerleader, May now practices ballet and plays soccer and cricket. In fact, May has been dancing since she was three.  

Despite her young age, May is one of the few cast members with professional acting experience, having appeared in an advert for an esky brand. 

Roy plays Monty, the man Tracy tries to marry. Monty is a cocky, virtue-signaller who, for an environmentalist, seems surprisingly ill-at-ease with nature.  

After training as a lawyer, Roy spent his early career at the BBC, principally as a legal advisor, although also as a television and radio producer. After moving to Australia, Roy researched and taught media law and international law at UNSW and later Macquarie University. 

Now retired, Roy edits the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter and is president of the island fire brigade. He is also co-producer of Wedding Island.

Jess plays Steph, Tracy’s sensible and slightly intimidating mum.  

Born into a family of musicians and creative types who never made a lot of dosh, Jess studied architecture in an attempt to get a ‘creative career’. But got distracted by performing in university revues.  

Since moving to the island in 1999, Jess has run offshore choirs, sung jazz and acted in comedy nights.  When not showing off on stage, Jess works for a local naval architecture firm.

Gilly is our stage manager. She also keeps us energised with coffee, tea and the most marvellous cakes. 

Born in England, Gilly became involved in community theatre in Chesham, just outside London.   

After moving to Scotland Island, Gilly worked in printing. Even so, she continued to support offshore theatre, having been involved in pretty much every island production for a quarter of a century. 

Wedding Island is Bogue’s second full length play, after Secret Island (2024). 

Besides being author and co-producer, Bogue is also doing lights and sound. He is also responsible for much of the set, many of the props, the wardrobe animatronics and choreography.

Bogue attributes much of his inspiration to decades working on offshore stage productions.

An accomplished artist and illustrator, Nettie arrived on Scotland Island in 1990. Nettie painted the murals on the Community Hall and Rec Centre. She also designed our poster. 

Nettie is a renowned cross-dressing tradie impersonator, having played Fitzy in Secret Island and now Trev in Wedding Island. A proficient plumber, Trev must come to terms with his unusual phobia.

When not acting, Nettie dedicates her time to perfecting the mullet hairdo. 

Lizzie plays Elspeth, head of SIRA’s Rec Club. Gently spoken but sharp of tongue, Elspeth may have a bit of a thing for retired military men with an authoritarian streak. 

Lizzie been having fun with island plays since her first in 1992: “Mixed Doubles”. It was during that production that Lizzie connected with her partner of 13 years. According to Lizzie, ‘hooking up with your fellow actors seemed the norm back then!’

Lizzie runs Interlace, a fancy dress shop in Dee Why, and she supplies many of our wonderful costumes.

Larry has been a member of the players for 40 years. His stunning good looks and slim build, matched with obvious talent, have meant that he has played many of the coveted strong female leads in the past.

But with age and the realisation his looks are waning, Larry has graciously accepted the role of Harry; a somewhat dishevelled, ruggedly handsome, likeable rogue.

After a varied career encompassing 50 jobs, including one as stand-up comedian, Larry has finally settled in Elvina Bay.

Whitey to his friends, Ian plays Craig, SIRA’s pompous and officious president. Having fought in a number of world wars, Craig believes that rules and procedure will best maintain calm and order in a crisis.

Whitey had plenty of experience to draw on when shaping his character. A former councillor, he is no stranger to tedious meetings, and as a retired schoolteacher he is used to controlling disruptive audiences.

Whitey is community personified: island firefighter and medical first responder. Brought up in Church Point, Whitey moved to the island in 1990.