The groundbreaking script, written by Thornton Wilder, was the first major play to break the fourth wall and use techniques of metatheatre, with the characters acknowledging the presence of the audience. 

Stand-up comic Kerri Gay plays the Stage Manager, a God-like character that manipulates time and space within the world of the play and who speaks to the audience so that they know more than the characters themselves.

She said she asked to audition for the role because she wanted to work with director Leigh Oswin. 

“Normally the role of stage manager is a male,’ she said. 

“I called [Owsin] up and I said, ‘I’d like to audition, I’m auditioning for the role of the Stage Manager, will you cast against gender?’ And he said yes.

“He’s a fantastic director.”

As well as working with Oswin, Gay said the role itself was a alluring one, with 12 multi-page monologues and opportunities for both drama and comedy. 

“Act Three, where it all comes together, that is mind-blowing theatre,” she said. 

“I think it’s going to be one of those [plays] where, when it ends, the audience is just quiet for a moment, and they realise what they’ve just seen. That’s the kind of play it is.

“The young actors in this cast are extraordinary too.”

Our Town runs at the Earl Arts Centre Wednesday to Saturday 8pm and Saturday 2pm, $38 full, $32 concession.