Bay Theatre Players have presented some fabulous sets and, in fact, have won several CAT (Canberra Area Theatre) awards for those sets.

But it is not just the set designer who deserves all of the credit.

Someone has to build the set and then paint it.

Certainly the set designer and frequently the show’s director can be found wielding a paintbrush but there is also another small army of volunteers who come along and give of their skills and time.

And they vary from “broad brush” painters to the artistic kind – both types are equally appreciated.

In the current production, Guys and Dolls, set construction has been led by Jon Benn to a design by artistic director Lerae Davison, but last week that “small army” of volunteers was there as well, hammering, pushing and painting.

BTP’s sets are built from “flats” - plywood, laid on wooden battens, in varying heights, some cut to accommodate a door or window.

The life of a “flat” can be many years, or perhaps not many at all depending on how well it is treated!

The current crop of about 25 flats of various sizes are only about two years old and were made in-house to replace the old and broken remnants of many years standing.

They have not yet suffered the fate of becoming nearly twice their normal thickness from the many, many coats of paint which are applied for show after show.

Indeed set painters are regularly confronted by flats which remind them immediately of a previous set because they still bear the distinctive patterns and colours created for that show – a fairy castle, for example!

Tickets for Guys and Dolls which previews on October 27, will be available in just three weeks’ time on October 1, online @ www.baytheatreplayers.org.au, or from the Playhouse at 33 Gregory Street, Batemans Bay on Saturdays only from 10am - 12noon.

Meanwhile, don’t forget this week’s play readings, both at the Playhouse!

Tonight’s (September 19) offering will be “The Scottish Play”, better known as Macbeth, kick off, 6.30 pm.

And at 2pm on Sunday next (September 23) the regular “Shakespearean” group will continue with their reading of Pericles, one of the Bard’s lesser-known plays.

All are welcome.

Please come along and join in the readings or just sit and listen and enjoy the chocolate cake!

The Bay Theatre Players presents three to four productions each year, encompassing comedy, drama, farce and musicals.