Bayview Retirement Village's favourite employees, Jane Edwards and Harvey Baines, will be brought to life by local actors Kirsty Woods and Jeff Faithfull, in the Wangaratta Players production of the laugh-out-loud comedy Waiting for God, coming to the Stage Door Studio in November.

Kirsty Woods, who lives in Docker Plains with her supportive husband Ben and their two children, has been a consistent member of Wangaratta Players since 2002, when she was cast in The Sound of Music - but that hasn’t been the only production Kirsty has been a part of.

Almost every year since joining Wangaratta Players she has taken on a role – either in the cast or the crew – for the company's various productions.

Before auditioning for Waiting for God, Kirsty hadn't been in a comedy since 2014 when she played a dual role as Dot and Mrs Clacket in Noises Off.

She said she was keen to give the genre another crack and after reading the script, was sold - and thrilled to be cast as Jane, the dim-witted but oh-so hilarious Bayview nurse.

"I read the play and loved the characters and themes, so really wanted to take up the opportunity to be involved," she said.

"I was so excited (to be cast as Jane) and I'm really looking forward to developing my character and learning my lines."

Throughout rehearsals, Kirsty’s interpretation of Jane brings choruses of laughter – especially when rehearsing scenes with her on-stage partner Jeff Faithfull - the pair making a truly iconic duo.

She thinks she will always remember her favourite of Jane's lines, "use both hands, Harvey" - which is one of the many tickling cast and crew.

"The combination of timing the physical comedy and movement, while saying the lines and getting it just right, is usually a little tricky to start with," Kirsty said, reflecting on the challenges.

"But this play is so enjoyable to be part of, and I think the enjoyment will be infectious to our audiences."

Jeff Faithfull, a long-time member of Wangaratta Players having joined in 1987, will bring to life Harvey Baines, the incompetent manager of Bayview Retirement Village.

Jeff is not only a grand actor on stage, but also a helpful hand backstage too.

During Wangaratta Players previous production, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Jeff dabbled for the first time in "the box", creating slideshows for the play.

Now he is often seen squirrelling up and down "the box" ladder, trying to get the cables all wired.

"To be honest, one reason I auditioned was to get out of building sets, making slideshows or running the sound and music," he said.

"Obviously, that didn’t work because I’m contributing to all three this time, as well as acting."

Jeff said he was drawn to Harvey Baines because while the character is self-absorbed and happily unaware of others, it offers great opportunities for comedy.

And he certainly takes advantage of those opportunities - causing much laughter at rehearsals when he becomes Harvey.

Jeff said his favourite part of the Waiting for God production process was making the part his own, while the biggest challenge was learning all the lines, along with managing nerves as opening night approached.

"I really like developing a character - trying to build mannerisms, looks, accents and so on - so I’m not playing the same character repeatedly," he said.

"I generally think the best time to wrap up a show is after the last dress rehearsal - unfortunately, no-one else agrees with me, and they all want to do the damn thing for paying customers.. absurd!"

Jeff is a current committee member and the archivist for Wangaratta Players, and he welcome anyone with historical information to get on touch at archive@wangarattaplayers.tidymail.co.

He said he would love to get his hands on old Wangaratta Players memorabilia, whatever it may be.

"If anyone has posters, programs, scripts, photos, newspaper cuttings or any other memorabilia that they would like to donate to our archives, just let me know," he said.

Wangaratta Players will present Michael Aitkens play Waiting for God at the Stage Door Studio in Evans Street, Wangaratta from Friday, 7 November to Sunday, 23 November, with tickets going on sale on Wednesday, 1 October.