Marion Low is no stranger to the stage but Murder by Committee marks her playwriting debut.
"It’s my first [completed play] and I’m excited, and very honoured that Fine Thyme Theatre even decided to put it on — it’s such an amazing opportunity for me," she said.
Set in fictional South Island town Shadowtown, the play centres around small-town life and the need to have committees for everything.
As is often the way in a small town, one person is in control of everything and in Shadowtown that person is a crotchety old man who rubs people up the wrong way — until they decide to get rid of him.
The show was quintessentially Kiwi — despite her South African roots, Low said. People would be able to relate to the characters, though she was staying quiet if they were based on real people.
"If they see themselves, well, it is open to interpretation," she said.
Watching her work come to life on the stage was a humbling experience for Low, who had also found herself in the director’s seat.
"What I’m enjoying the most is how people interpret my characters and finding layers I didn’t even anticipate," she said.
"As a playwright you create the framework and everyone comes along with their interpretation and expression and ... bring it to life and I love that."
"This is a collaborative creative process — how [characters] come to life is completely different to how I created them in my head."
Murder by Committee runs from August 25 to September 3 at Coronation Hall, Bannockburn.
