Sitting up close and witnessing an intimate conversation about domestic violence will invoke a different response to hearing statistics of the crime.
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At least this is what Millie Samuels had in mind when seeking out small venues with sister Edwina to perform their one-act play, Dolores.
"Everyone is aware of the issue, but it's a different way of opening up about it and encouraging a different experience," Miss Samuels said.
No matter how uncomfortable it make us feel or how uncomfortable the situation is, we need to listen and know that there are services out there and there are brilliant people out there who can help
- Millie Samuels
"It's an intimate experience with the audience. They're right there. We wanted that - we wanted them to be close to the action."
The Samuels sisters will return to their home in the Central West to perform the 45-minute show about two sisters, Sandra and Dolores, who are caught in repeating patterns of domestic abuse, and are dealing with it in very different ways.
"Dolores is the problem child and the family has put her in the 'too-hard basket'," Miss Samuels said.
The play was written by Edward Allan Baker in 1980, and Miss Samuels said it's unfortunate the themes are still relevant nearly 40 years on.
While addressing dark issues, Miss Samuels said the show finds comedy in the relationship between the characters, which was relatable given their own history.
"The characters bicker and there is conflict between them, but at the end of the day there is a lot of love there," she said.
The duo will use their show to create awareness of services available in the regional towns they visit, which, in addition to Orange, includes their home of Dubbo, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Tumut, Corowa and Gunnedah.
The women have partnered with White Ribbon and will collect donations on the road as well as donating 10 percent of ticket sales.
In Orange, the Samuels will partner with Housing Plus to raise money for The Orchard, domestic violence crisis centre, as well as host a supper after the show.
Miss Samuels said she hopes the show helps make people in regional areas aware of what services are available.
"No matter how uncomfortable it make us feel or how uncomfortable the situation is, we need to listen and know that there are services out there and there are brilliant people out there who can help," she said.
Dolores will be performed at the CWA Hall in Robertson Park on Saturday and Sunday March 16-17,
Tickets are available through samproductions.org.
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