If you’ve been feeling a little drab this winter, it’s time to lay on a bit of glamorous nostalgia – head along to Drowning in Veronica Lake and you’ll be feeling like part of the roaring ’40s in no time!

Drowning in Veronica Lake is a one-woman show that captures the mood and sultry je ne sais quoi of sassy screen siren Veronica Lake, a vintage beauty who ruled the silver screen until her death at age 51 in 1973.

In 1940s Hollywood, Veronica Lake set the standard for self-destructive celebrities. Smart, sexy and typecast early in her career as the ice-cool femme fatale, she was thrust into the limelight at an early age. Naïve and unprepared, she left in her wake a polarised industry who either loved or loathed her.

She took tea with Eleanor Roosevelt, piloted her own plane from coast to coast, was famously sued by her own mother and bankrupted by the IRS before a rapid descent into scandal, alcoholism and a premature and lonely death.

Now, 40 years later, trapped somewhere between Paramount and Purgatory she wrestles with stardom, booze, men and her spectacular decline into obscurity.

The show comes with rave reviews from previous performances at arts festivals nationally and internationally, plus particular plaudits for the gorgeous dress actress Alex Ellis wears. The unique costume extends out across the stage, filling the entire set.

On top of the show, which plays Wednesday 22 August to Saturday 01 September at Auckland’s Q Theatre, there is a double feature special event being held on Sat 25 August. Not only do you get to see Drowning in Veronica Lake, but as a bonus Q Theatre is also screening the classic 1941 film, Sullivan’s Travels by award-winning writer/director Preston Sturges and starring, of course, Veronica Lake. It’s going to be a great night out, and just to set the mood, the production team will throw in a glass of wine and a box of Jaffas!

Visit www.qtheatre.co.nz for more info and tickets.