This two-hour production, in two Acts, by the Old Mill Theatre Company, is in conjunction with Maverick Theatre Productions and can be seen at the Old Mill Theatre, on the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth. There are shows at 8.00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, until Saturday 27^th August. There are 2.00 pm matinées on Saturday 20^th, Sunday 21^st and 28^th August.

The scene is the vestry and office of Father Costello. The walls are limestone blocks adorned with photos of religious dignitaries. To the right of the stage is an area that acts as part of the office, then as a courtyard garden.

The textbook costumes were supplied by Jenny Prosser, and Cathy Puzey.

Award winning lighting designer, John Woolrych has taken relative newcomer, John Spurling under his wing and allowed him to come up with some quite complex lighting effects. Spurling tried dimming the lights when a dramatic speech was being made, but did so with subtle careful control, the desired effect was excellent.

      It is late in the evening in the Our Lady of the Vines convent. Into the dimly lit office come two nuns, leaping and dancing to wild radio music. Yes, Sister Abbott (Caroline McDonnell – excellent) has been sipping the communion wine for most of the day. She is accompanied by the newest holy sister, nervous Rosa (Sofie Reidy-Crofts) who is still trying to come to terms with life in a convent.

      Staggering in comes Father Costello (Noel O’Neill – hilarious), as always the worse for wear. He heads straight for his whisky bottle.

      Since the tragic accidental death of the Mother Superior, Theresa (Norma Davis), dedicated Sister Marilyn (Susan Meikle) seems the only vestal interested in the religious faith, and the upkeep of the crumbling convent.

      The trendy Italian, Sister Vinnie (Valerie Dragojevic), who is trying to fight off her Mafia upbringing is sitting in the garden of Remembrance, listening to young Rosa’s concerns about some ghostly noises she has heard in the night. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of the bewildered and worried Archbishop Monticello (Rex Gray). He has been sent by the church hierarchy, who have just learned about Father Costello’s dubious lifestyle, and has asked the Archbishop to give Costello a warning.

      Sister Francis (Vivienne Marshall) has come up with a sacrilegious suggestion to solve Rosa’s haunting problems, but under no circumstances must the Archbishop find out.

Director Noel O’Neill, assisted by Valerie Dragojevic have retained most of their previous, strong, award-winning team. Why not? The chemistry was again superb, with subtle delivery of the beautifully structured script and perfectly timed interaction. Great cast. Noel allowed himself to slip out of character and have a couple of ‘Boom, Boom’ jokes, but the audience loved it. There is certainly no place in Heaven for Noel.

The audience on the night I saw the show, included a couple of dozen fans, who were there to support their actor friends. Many of them had never been to a Community Theatre show before, and were blown away by the quality. One even said that she came prepared to fall asleep with boredom, but laughed the whole way through. They will all come back again.

Sequels are rarely as good as the original, but Noel’s zany lateral thinking has once again produced a laugh-a-minute show. Highly recommended. If you didn’t see the first episode, don’t worry, a knowledge of the previous show – fore play? – is not necessary.

Many nights are already sold out, so perhaps try Wednesday night or phone first.

‘It’s All Greek to Me Too!’ is Noel O’Neill’s magnificent sequel to the play that wrote just over two years ago, ‘It’s All Greek to Me’. This is even funnier than the original, and that was a sell-out! Even though Noel writes about two or three plays a year, the standard of his writing, dialogue and the superbly constructed script, ensures a happy audience. This play has a laugh in every line. It is wonderful to see so many of the original actors returning.

This 2-hour comedy can be seen at the Old Mill Theatre, on the corner of Mill Point Road and Mends Street, South Perth on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8.00, until the 27^th February. The Sunday matinees are at 3.00 pm on the 14^th and 21^st, with all proceeds going to the South West Bushfire Appeal.

The setting is a northeast London suburb, at Christmas 1960. The scenery (designed and built by Noel O’Neill) is that used in the first play, comprising the kitchen and lounge room of the crazy Greek Clan – the Pilancous ‘Plank’ Family. The music from ‘Zorba the Greek’ is playing as the house lights dim. Very good lighting and sound effects, thanks to John Spurling and his occasional helper, John Woolrych.

Jenny Prosser’s costumes reflected the era perfectly, in both style and the materials used. The hairdos brought a smile too. Well stage managed by Melissa Munoz Escobar.
In the first play ‘It’s All Greek To Me’, Nicky Plank arranged for his cousin Stavros, living in a dump somewhere in Greece, to get married to his unsuspecting London neighbour, Circe.

      Only months after the wedding, disillusioned Circe (Nada Dilevska), leaves her husband Stavros (Andre Balzelli) and returns to London. Because Nicky (Kim Taylor) and his long-suffering wife, Athena (Vivienne Marshall) generously paid for the couple’s wedding, she blames them for her misery and places a curse on the family.

      Nicky and Athena’s daughter, Jenna (Valerie Dragojevic) is due to have her baby any day now – perhaps even Christmas Day. The family friend, Andronikos (Rex Gray), who is a potent oracle and surrounded by a powerful aura, is summoned to help them.

      The youngest Plank son, Dimitri (Cameron Leese), is well named, as his IQ is probably negative. Nicky, now with two un-married relatives again, recommences the matchmaking routine. He brings around a friend’s beautiful daughter, Christiana (Sofie Reidy-Crofts) in a desperate attempt to marry off Dimitri, but the son seems quite interested in the even more brainless, Katarina (Aimee Claire Nicholls).

      Randy Nicky goes around the houses, collecting seasonal ‘gifts’ from his lady friends, Cassandra (Berti Moso) and Irena (Charlotte Weber).

      Will Athena discover Nicky’s misdemeanours? Will anyone become wedded, or even remain married.

Director Noel O’Neill, and his assistant Valerie Dragojevic, both have a wealth of experience in comedy direction; what a magnificent show they have given us. The multitude of laughs was perfectly delivered by the wonderful cast. Each actor had a rich character to portray, and this they did with superb team chemistry. A special mention for Kim Taylor and Vivienne Marshall’s performances. Kim with his hilarious lack of conscience, and Vivienne’s desperate desire to advance the family’s welfare.

A really good, side-splitting start to the Old Mill’s 2016 season.