Lynne McGranger has played Irene Roberts on Home and Away for over three decades, and in a shocking move, she’s revealed that she’ll be stepping away from the role.
Lynne will be performing in the musical The Grandparents Club which will tour Australia from May until August this year.
During an interview on The Morning Show on Monday, Lynne revealed that she’ll be stepping away from Home and Away for “just a little while” to concentrate on the new gig.
“(I’ll be going for) just a little while — not leaving anything permanently,” Lynne said.
However, Home and Away fans needn’t fear, because Lynne will be returning to her role of Irene after she’s finished with The Grandparents Club.
Lynne McGranger has a background in musicals
Though Lynne may have played Irene for as long as many people can remember, her roots are actually in musicals.
“I came from revue-type situations (shows) — from community theatre, all of that — I’m getting back to my roots, singing and dancing, interacting with the audience,” she said.
Lynne was modest about her singing abilities, telling hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies that she “can hold a tune and I can belt-out a number, but I’m no Aretha Franklin,” she said.
What is The Grandparents Club about?
The Grandparents Club is a 90-minute musical written by Australian comedy legend Wendy Harmer. Along with Lynne, it also stars Jimmy Bigelow, Meredith O’Reilly and Andrew James.
The storyline follows a group of grandparents and challenges the idea that older people can’t be fun.
“Four of us turn up at the club for the day, and we have a day in the club. They have a club in the club called the Grandparents Club and there’s a sauna, there’s a gym, spa, there’s bingo, there is trivia. It is a way of taking the mickey out of what people perceive grandparents to be,” she said.
“Which is, of course, old and doddery, but in fact, grandparents can be in their 40s these days, bungee jumping or climbing Everest.”
The Grandparents Club runs from 31st May to 4th August 2024 across venues in metro and regional NSW, ACT and VIC. You can find out more information here.
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