The Te Puke Repertory Society is to stage 'Only an Orphan Girl” a melodrama, later this month, to mark its 60th anniversary and to lift the spirits of a community hard hit by the effects of the kiwifruit vine disease Psa.

Director Di Leach says the play, written by Henning Nelms, will star kiwifruit grower and dairy farmer Denis Browne in the roll of the villain as well as three 10-year-old girls as the neighbour's triplets, a 13 year old boy as the hero and a 15 year old girl as the damsel in distress.

The play will be the first since the theatre's new tiered seating was installed and as with all good melodrama, audience participation with booing and cheering is encouraged along with singing good old fashion songs.

'Only an Orphan Girl” plays from November 21 to December 1. Tickets are available at Paper Plus Te Puke.