Published: 28th January, 2026

Spectrum Theatre is delighted to announce its first production of the year: a showing of two one-act plays, That’s Showbiz! and The Allotment, written by Barbara Yates Rothwell and Gillian Plowman respectively.

The Allotment follows the story of four women serving community punishment orders by growing vegetables for soup kitchens, and a new probation officer that finds her first morning on the job difficult as the tables turn and a traumatic event from her past puts her on par with the others. Over the course of the play, secrets and woven webs unravel as the women grow closer and tell their stories.

The Allotment will be preceded by That’s Showbiz!, writtenby director Lin Lattimer’s long-time friend, British-born West Australian author and playwright Barbara Yates Rothwell.

“It just fit perfectly,” explains Lin, who is directing at Spectrum Theatre for the first time with this production, “That’s Showbiz! follows the stern and opinionated Miss Delmont arriving in a rural farming community to adjudicate a drama festival production at a run-down theatre — so Miss Delmont is now arriving at Spectrum Theatre to see the Spectrum Autumn Leaves perform The Allotment, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what she’s going to think of it!”.

This isn’t Lin’s first experience with The Allotment, having previously performed in it many years ago in the UK.

“I previously played the part of Norah, and I fell in love with the play back then. Each of the characters in the play have their own backstories as to how they came to be in the situation they’re in, but also their own skewed version of events that slowly unravel and reveal more than they’re letting on.

“To be able to bring it back to life again at Spectrum Theatre has been wonderful, it’s been lovely to see it re-enacted and to relive all the fun, laughter, and suspense all over again here in Albany!”.

That’s Showbiz! and The Allotment both feature an all-women cast of characters. Among them is the character of Lorna, a near-sixty-year-old actress and singer convicted of causing damage to a theatre, played by life member and one of Spectrum Theatre’s longest-serving members, Jen Croston, who joined the theatre back in 2000.

“I’ve loved playing Lorna, although I hope there aren’t too many similarities between us other than the acting and singing!” says Jen, “I don’t think I’d be much good in an allotment, as I have a talent for killing even the hardiest of plants. I’ve also never caused criminal damage to the theatre, but maybe that will change if I stop getting parts in any future productions!”.

The production will begin with a Premiere Night on Friday, February 27^th, where guests are invited to arrive early and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles. Guests are also invited to attend Premiere Night in their finest theatre garb, or to instead opt to come in their favourite gardening gear, with photographs being taken on the night.

The Allotment follows on from Spectrum Theatre’s previous show, A Composite Arrangement, which lead to three nominations at the Independent Theatre Association’s Finley Awards for Best Breakthrough, Best Youth in a Play, and Best Front of House.

Spectrum Theatre also promises an exciting year of productions ahead:

“The Allotment is the perfect start to a very exciting year ahead for Spectrum Theatre,” says theatre President, Tiger Bird, “We can’t wait to share what we’ve got coming up, it’s quite a varied and diverse season that we hope will tickle the different fancies of audiences and performers alike!

“If you’ve ever been curious about being part of the theatre, I really do encourage you to get involved — even if being on the stage isn’t what you want to do, there’s so many other invaluable roles in the production process, and lots of opportunities to try something new!”.

The Allotment runs from 27^th February — 14^th March, with evening performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm, and Sunday matinees on the 1^st and 8^th March at 2pm. Tickets are available from Paperbark Merchants, York Street, or online at paperbarks.com.au.

More information can be found on our website, spectrumtheatre.com.au.

Additional cast and crew information:
https://spectrumtheatre.com.au/blog/the-allotment-meet-the-cast-crew/