Stage by Stage: Carol Shelbourne’s 93 Productions and Counting

Showtime with Andrew G | Theatre Podcast Australia

When Carol Shelbourne stepped into a rehearsal room for the very first time at 38, she had no idea she was about to begin a lifelong love affair with the stage. Nearly 100 shows later, she’s become a familiar face in Melbourne’s vibrant community theatre scene, known for her warmth, wit and magnetic presence. In this episode of Showtime, Carol joins Andrew G to share the unexpected twists that led her from the UK to a full and joyful life in Australian theatre — proving it’s never too late to find your spotlight.
🎭 Two one act plays: Lady of Letters/The Rats
🗓️ Friday 30 May to Saturday 7 June 2025
📍 Brighton Theatre Company
🎟️ brightontheatre.com.au
This winter, Brighton Theatre Company presents an evening of intrigue and insight with two compelling one-act plays.
LADY OF LETTERS by Alan Bennett, directed by Deborah Fabbro, is one of the original and much-loved Talking Heads monologues. It follows Irene Ruddock, a woman with a sharp eye and a sharper pen, who fills her days firing off letters to anyone she deems at fault. But when the authorities come knocking, it’s Irene who finds herself on the receiving end — leading to unexpected consequences and a surprising sense of connection.
THE RATS by Agatha Christie, directed by Annie Blood, delivers a twist-filled mystery from the undisputed Queen of Crime. Set in a chic Hampstead flat in the early 1960s, a group of guests are lured to the scene by mysterious messages. What starts as a seemingly harmless mix-up quickly spirals into a sinister game when two guests are locked inside — and framed for murder.
Together, these two sharply written pieces promise a night of gripping theatre full of drama, humour and suspense.
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CAROL SHELBOURNE arrived in Australia from the UK in 1980 with her husband and two children. After spending four years as a dedicated Cub Scout Leader, she joined Brighton Theatre Company in 1985 — the same year she stepped onto the stage for the first time in White Sheep of the Family.
Before moving to Australia, Carol had dabbled in performance as part of a folk duo in the UK during the 1970s and had taken part in a few community revues. What began as a hobby soon blossomed into a lifelong passion. Since that first production, Carol has performed in 93 shows across Melbourne’s rich community theatre scene, working with companies including Brighton, Malvern, Peridot, Heidelberg, 1812, Waverley and Beaumaris.