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TYOB!: “Velda: Girl Detective”

Looking for a fun, free activity to do this Friday or Saturday night? Well this “Thing You Oughta Be” doing is going to Halifax County’s outdoor performance of “Velda: Girl Detective” this weekend at South Boston’s Constitution Square. We’ve got photos of Wednesday’s before-dress-rehearsal as well as information about the play below…

Here’s a good description of the play from the Halifax County Little Theater’s website.

The play is being produced by the Halifax County Little Theatre and will be performed in Constitution Square on June 8 and 9. Admission will be free.

“Velda” is the brainchild of local author and illustrator Ron Miller and is based on a character he created for the novel “Velda” as well as a series of short stories and comic books.

“Velda,” says Miller, “is a burlesque queen turned private eye. The stories take place in the early 1950s. But it is not the 50s of ‘Grease,’ ‘Suds’ or ‘Forever Plaid.’ It is the 50s of Greenwich Village, Beatniks, bongo drums and hard-boiled detectives.”

Velda has already been the subject of two short films Miller created locally with the generous help of numerous friends around South Boston and Halifax. Both are available for viewing online. A short Velda play was performed at the Convergence Art Guild two years ago, directed by the late Jack Donohue, and two Velda radio plays have been broadcast by over 100 NPR stations coast-to-coast. A third is scheduled for this spring. Miller is a little astonished by his character’s popularity. “It’s all been a kind of hobby,” he says. “Something to do when I was finished for the day with my real work.”

The two-act play consists of two independent mystery stories and features a number of unusual characters, from Velda herself to assorted thugs, policemen and showgirls.

Want to go? Friday, June 8th & Saturday, June 9th at South Boston’s Constitution Square, The area opens up at 5 PM and you’re welcome to bring a picnic supper. Food and drinks will be available on site as well. Admission is free.

The show’s going to be great and I promise you’ll have fun. This is definitely a “Thing You Oughta Be” doing this weekend.

Here’s a bonus slideshow of photos taken before Wednesday’s dress rehearsal… enjoy!

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