Fourth Wheel Theatre

Send us Fan MailThis story is based on some historical characters and events but is not intended to be a true history. It is a work of fiction.The Narrator is Malcolm DouglasDave is read by Tim McGrathHelen is read by Isabelle McGrath

Send us Fan MailThis story is based on some historical characters and events but is not intended to  be a true history. It is a work of fiction.Narrator is Malcolm DouglasDave is read by Tim McGrathHelen is read by Isabelle McGrath

Send us Fan MailGrandpa VanderHof and his wacky family, the Mallees, have been happily living their zany lives in his house in Perth for many years. This family (and their friends) are a madcap group of eccentrics, marching to the beat of their own drum, with pride and joy. Their hobbies include playing the xylophone, building fireworks in the cellar, writing a myriad of plays that never get published, and taking ballet lessons. Things like stress, jobs, and paying taxes to the government are for other people, not for them! But when practical young Alice Mallee becomes engaged to her company’s Vice President Tony Connell, the VanderHof/Mallee clan must straighten up to meet the new in-laws. Disaster ensues when the Connells arrive on the wrong day and, despite the best laid plans, see Alice’s family in all of its crazy glory. The evening ends with everyone in the house getting arrested, and Alice ending the engagement. It isn’t until Grandpa’s wise speech to Mr. Connell about the importance of living life to the fullest that the two families find a way to accept each other, and love conquers all. The original production of the play premiered at the Chestnut Street Opera House in Philadelphia, on November 30, 1936.  The play won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was adapted for the screen as You Can't Take It with You in 1938, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This production is set in 1987 in Perth, Western Australia during the era of “WA Inc”. The Cast were as follows… * 1st Associate, Isabelle. * Sarge, Helen C. * 1st Secretary, Annie. * 2nd Associate, Malcolm. * Johnno, Fiona W. * 2nd Secretary, Amanda. * Alice Mallee, Annie. * Anthony P Connell, Stephen. * Ed Carmichael, Caro. * Essie Carmichael, Isabelle. * Grandpa VanderHof, Malcolm. * John Porteous, Helen P. * Maggie O'Neill, Amanda. * Miriam Connell, Fiona M. * Mr. Iraklidis, Helen C. * Mr. Kolenkhov, Fiona W. * Narrator, Fiona M. * Night Court Judge, Ian. * Penny Mallee, Helen P. * Mr. Poppins, Ian. * Removalist, John. * Tony Connell, John. * Wilbur G Henderson, Stephen. This production was Directed and Produced by Tim. 

Send us Fan MailThe story of a Bake-Off competition to select a bride for a Prince and how goodness (and some magic) succeeds against greed and corruption.The cast are:·      Annie as Announcer.      Helen C. as Verita ·      Scarlett  as Cindy and Amaretti·      Fiona W. as Esme Goodfairy·      Ron  as Gareth Rella·      Fiona M. as Saccharine Cole·      Isabelle as Drizella ·      Madeline as Brittle·      Stephen as Diablo Hades·      Malcolm as King Rupert·      Helen P. as No-el the Fool·      Caro  as Prince Lacklustre

Send us Fan MailThe story of a Bake-Off competition to select a bride for a Prince and how goodness (and some magic) succeeds against greed and corruption.[SOUNDBITE]The cast are:·      Helen C. as Verita (and narrator)·      Scarlett  as Cindy and Amaretti·      Fiona W. as Esme Goodfairy·      Ron  as Gareth Rella·      Fiona M. as Saccharine Cole·      Isabelle as Drizella ·      Madeline as Brittle·      Stephen as Diablo Hades·      Malcolm as King Rupert·      Helen P. as No-el the Fool·      Stephen  as Prince Lacklustre"Baking Bad" was written by Helen Crompton and Tim McGrath for Fourth Wheel Productions.  This performance was directed and recorded by Tim McGrath for Christmas 2023.

Send us Fan MailLOST HORIZON - a story of hope in a confused world.Following a plane crash, Conway, a British consul, his deputy, a missionary and an American financier, find themselves stranded in the enigmatic snow covered mountains of Tibet.  They are rescued and taken to a hidden valley and the monastic community known as Shangri-La.

Send us Fan MailThe Feral newspaper is owned by Kerry King and run by Terrance Weirdly the editor and his team of Shredder and Stefano Grunt. They are a middle-aged white male clique who ignore the efforts of other workers, Titania and Cindy.Gabrielle volunteers at St Pat's Soup Kitchen with Cindy. Cindy saves her when a soup cauldron falls over. Gabrielle reveals she was hit on the head while rescuing injured orphans from a fire on Christmas Island. The accident left her with amnesia about who she was. She shows Cindy her signet ring.Cindy connects this with the anonymous classified ad that appears in The Feral every Christmas and writes it up as story, calling for Gabrielle's family to come forward.The Feral publishes the story but Cindy is not credited - Stefano is. Kerry reads the story, reveals he placed the ad and Gabrielle is his long-lost daughter Charmaine. The story gets praise – syndicated, and` taken up by other media.At The Feral Christmas party Titania encourages Cindy to propose to Gabrielle. Cindy is revealed as the author of the article. Terrance, Shredder and Stefano are demoted. Cindy is appointed chief report. Two rats who live in the office are the narrators and commentators.Starring:TERRANCE Weirdly  | Malcolm DouglasGreg SHREDDER | Isabelle McGrathSTEFANO Grunt | Helen CromptonTITANIA | Fiona McVeyGABRIELLE (CHARMAINE) | Annie TaylorCINDY  | Madeline ClareKERRY KING | Stephan McVeyRATTIE | Helen PeerlessRATATOUILLE | Isabelle McGrathDirected by | Tim McGrath

Send us Fan MailLOST HORIZON - a story of hope in a confused world.Following a plane crash, Conway, a British consul, his deputy, a missionary and an American financier, find themselves in the enigmatic snow covered mountains of Tibet. Here they discover a seemingly perfect hidden community where they are welcomed with gracious hospitality. Intrigued by its mystery, the travellers set about discovering the hidden secret at the shimmering heart of Shangri-La.Act Three:  Conway realises his destiny.

Send us Fan MailLOST HORIZON - a story of hope in a confused world.Following a plane crash, Conway, a British consul, his deputy, a missionary and an American financier, find themselves in the enigmatic snow covered mountains of Tibet. Here they discover a seemingly perfect hidden community where they are welcomed with gracious hospitality. Intrigued by its mystery, the travellers set about discovering the hidden secret at the shimmering heart of Shangri-La.Act Two:Conway continues his story -- a strange tale of a journey to a strange place, the hidden lamasery of Shangri-La.

Send us Fan MailThe story of a journey from kitchen to bin as experienced by a recyclable HDPE bottle (called Hope). Hope’s vision is that all Synthetic polymers achieve their true destiny:- to be recycled.A Christmas Pantomime (video available at https://youtu.be/z7vhJdfi5k4)Written and Directed by Tim McGrathCast of CharactersNarrator:  FIONA MCVEY·       Hope – HDPE bottle (optimist) HELEN PEERLESS·       Polly – Polypropylene food container (anxious) ANNIE TAYLOR·       Con – PBAT foam food tray (sneaky) FIONA WHEELER·       Pete – PET plastic carton (cynical) STEPHEN MCVEY·       Bin Bag – Rubbish Bag (Friendly) MALCOLM DOUGLAS·       Crystal – Glass Vegemite jar (Wise) ISABELLE MCGRATHWheelie Bins:·       Red – general waste bin (Rude) HELEN CROMPTON·       Yellow – recyclables bin (Gentle) STEPHEN MCVEY·       Green – the guardian of FOGO (Sensitive) MALCOLM DOUGLASRecycled Song by Tim McGrath sung by Helen Peerless.

Send us Fan MailThe story of a property dispute related to the building at end of South Terrace. Scrooge is intent on redeveloping the cafe into a parking lot. Three visions make her realise that it is better to be part of a community and that money is not everything.Told through the timeless format of pantomime.CAST:Narrator  ....  Fiona McVeyScrooge – Property developer  ....  Stephen McVeyBob Cratchit – Café owner  ....  Kim PetersenTiny Tim – Café Patron ....  Isabelle McGrathMister Kickie - Barista  [panto donkey] ....  Helen PeerlessBridie Petite – Dodgy town planner  ....  Peter HockingCeleste Gypsy Rose Indigo Heavenly Meadow – Good fairy ....  Annie TaylorGasket – Coffee drinking dog .... Fiona WheelerGhost of Christmas Past – pre-COVID Father Christmas ....  Ron PotipharGhost of Christmas Present – COVID isolation Father Christmas ....  Fiona WheelerGhost of Christmas Yet To Come – Post-COVID Father Christmas  ....  Peter HockingGenie ....  Aung MyntWritten by Tim McGrath (oh,  yes, and Helen Crompton)

Send us Fan MailThe story of a property dispute related to the building at end of South Terrace. Scrooge is intent on redeveloping the cafe into a parking lot. Three visions make her realise that it is better to be part of a community and that money is not everything. Told through the timeless format of pantomime.CAST:Narrator  .... Fiona WheelerScrooge – Property developer .... Peter HockingBob Cratchit – Café owner .... Fiona McVeyTiny Tim – Café Patron .... Helen PeerlessMister Kickie - Barista  [panto donkey] .... Kim PetersenBridie Petite – Dodgy town planner  .... Annie TaylorCeleste Gypsy Rose Indigo Heavenly Meadow – Good fairy .... Isabelle McGrathGasket – Coffee drinking dog .... Ron PotipharGhost of Christmas Past – pre-COVID Father Christmas .... Stephen McVeyGhost of Christmas Present – COVID isolation Father Christmas .... Aung MyntGhost of Christmas Yet To Come – Post-COVID Father Christmas  .... Ron PotipharGenie ....  Aung MyntWritten by  Helen Crompton (oh? ... and Tim McGrath)

Send us Fan MailA young shelf stacker from the Perth suburbs is met at the Australia Day fireworks by a university sociology professor who specialises in the phonetics of the English language.  The professor teases her about her ambition to be sociably acceptable given her accent and coarse language.  He suggests an experiment. Over 9 months she is intensively taught to speak Cultivated Australian English and behave like a socialite.  She is exhibited and tested at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (1913)Adapted by Tim McGrath (2020)Cast Eliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Pearce (Henry’s assistant at the university)  | : | Isabelle McGrathMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeyMrs. Fortescue (snobby mother)  | : | Annie TaylorClara Fortescue (snooty daughter)  | : | Duncan McGrathNigel Fortescue (soppy romantic admirer of Eliza)  | : | Isabelle McGrathBystander | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan Mail"Pig Melon" is an Australian adaptation of the play "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw (which was also adapted as the musical "My Fair Lady")The Cast:Eliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan MailA young shelf stacker from the Perth suburbs is met at the Australia Day fireworks by a university sociology professor who specialises in the phonetics of the English language.  The professor teases her about her ambition to be sociably acceptable given her accent and coarse language.  He suggests an experiment. Over 9 months she is intensively taught to speak Cultivated Australian English and behave like a socialite.  She is exhibited and tested at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (1913)Adapted by Tim McGrath (2020)CastEliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Pearce (Henry’s assistant at the university)  | : | Isabelle McGrathMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeyMrs. Fortescue (snobby mother)  | : | Annie TaylorClara Fortescue (snooty daughter)  | : | Duncan McGrathNigel Fortescue (soppy romantic admirer of Eliza)  | : | Isabelle McGrathBystander | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan MailA young shelf stacker from the Perth suburbs is met at the Australia Day fireworks by a university sociology professor who specialises in the phonetics of the English language.  The professor teases her about her ambition to be sociably acceptable given her accent and coarse language.  He suggests an experiment. Over 9 months she is intensively taught to speak Cultivated Australian English and behave like a socialite.  She is exhibited and tested at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (1913)Adapted by Tim McGrath (2020)CastEliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Pearce (Henry’s assistant at the university)  | : | Isabelle McGrathMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeyMrs. Fortescue (snobby mother)  | : | Annie TaylorClara Fortescue (snooty daughter)  | : | Duncan McGrathNigel Fortescue (soppy romantic admirer of Eliza)  | : | Isabelle McGrathBystander | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan MailA young shelf stacker from the Perth suburbs is met at the Australia Day fireworks by a university sociology professor who specialises in the phonetics of the English language.  The professor teases her about her ambition to be sociably acceptable given her accent and coarse language.  He suggests an experiment. Over 9 months she is intensively taught to speak Cultivated Australian English and behave like a socialite.  She is exhibited and tested at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (1913)Adapted by Tim McGrath (2020)CastEliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Pearce (Henry’s assistant at the university)  | : | Isabelle McGrathMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeyMrs. Fortescue (snobby mother)  | : | Annie TaylorClara Fortescue (snooty daughter)  | : | Duncan McGrathNigel Fortescue (soppy romantic admirer of Eliza)  | : | Isabelle McGrathBystander | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan MailA young shelf stacker from the Perth suburbs is met at the Australia Day fireworks by a university sociology professor who specialises in the phonetics of the English language.  The professor teases her about her ambition to be sociably acceptable given her accent and coarse language.  He suggests an experiment. Over 9 months she is intensively taught to speak Cultivated Australian English and behave like a socialite.  She is exhibited and tested at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (1913)Adapted by Tim McGrath (2020)CastEliza Doolittle (bogan)  | : | Helen PeerlessProfessor Henry Higgins (sociology professor)  | : | Stephen McVeyDoctor Pickering (friend and conscience of Higgins)  | : | Peter HockingAlfred Doolittle (philosophical father of Eliza)  | : | Ron PotipharMrs. Pearce (Henry’s assistant at the university)  | : | Isabelle McGrathMrs. Higgins (mother of Henry)  | : | Fiona McVeyMrs. Fortescue (snobby mother)  | : | Annie TaylorClara Fortescue (snooty daughter)  | : | Duncan McGrathNigel Fortescue (soppy romantic admirer of Eliza)  | : | Isabelle McGrathBystander | : | Fiona McVeySarcastic Bystander | : | Ron Potiphar

Send us Fan MailCast:Daniel McGrath | : | Jonathan Brewster | - | surgically scarred criminal on the run (brother to Mortimer and Douglas)Helen Peerless | : | Mortimer Brewster | - | effete theatre critic for a Perth paper (brother to Jonathon and Douglas)Isabelle McGrath | : | Abby Brewster  | - | scatty elderly spinster (sister of Martha)Fiona McVey | : | Martha Brewster  | - | resolute elderly spinster (sister of Abby)Tim McGrath | : | Douglas Brewster | - | eccentric fantasist (lunatic brother to Mortimer and Jonathon)Peter Hocking | : | Doctor Edelsten | - | criminal cosmetic surgeon with germanic accent.Ron Potiphar | : | Constable O’Hara | - | friendly local policemanAnnie Taylor | : | Constable Brophy | - | tough traffic policemanMitch McDonnell | : | Mr. Witherspoon | - | officious mayor of Joondalup

Send us Fan MailCOMING SOON:The play revolves around the Brewster family, composed mainly of maniacs, some of them homicidal. The hero, Mortimer Brewster, is a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, murderous family and local police in Fremantle, Western Australia as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves.His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine and "just a pinch" of cyanide; a brother who believes he is General Haig and the cellar of the Brewster home (which serves as graves for the aunts' victims) are the trenches of Gallipoli; and a murderous brother who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Edelsten to conceal his identity, and now has a face "like dropped meat pie".Arsenic and Old Lace is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939. This adaption is based on the 1946 screenplay by B.S. George and has been contextualised to Australia by Tim McGrath in 2020.Title music: Bandas Sonoras "Sad Clown" (Licensed under Creative Commons CC BY)Incidental music:   Igor Leontyev "Don't Be Sad" (Licensed under Creative Commons CC BY)