Dolores Hydock Stars in “In Her Own Fashion” at Double Oak Community Center Café
Smart, sassy, and masterfully told, “In Her Own Fashion,” written and performed by Dolores Hydock, presents the true stories of Ninette Griffith, fashion coordinator for Loveman’s Department Store in the 1950s and 1960s. From an eyebrow-raising love affair (or two) to her high-profile fashion career, this one-woman show recounts the life of an ambitious and fascinating figure who witnessed Birmingham’s transformation through the 20th century, including the Great Depression and World War II. And on Thursday, July 9, the Friends of the Mt Laurel Library makes this show available to the public for no charge with an event hosted at the Double Oak Community Church Center Café .
Griffith’s story is unusual for her time. As a woman with a significant full-time position, a husband in the military, and a child at home, “Griffith stitched together a life and a career that suited her own independent style and spirit at a time when that wasn’t easy for a woman to do,” said Hydock. Captivated by her tales, the acclaimed actress and storyteller began recording Griffith’s fascinating stories in their almost-weekly visits, accumulating more than 60 hours’ worth of interviews. “At the time, I didn’t know I was collecting material for a play. I just wanted to record her stories because they were wonderful stories, and I thought she or her family might like a keepsake of them,” Hydock said. “But then, when I started to see the tapestry of her life taking shape, I knew these stories needed a much wider audience.”
Working with Carl Stewart, artistic director for Birmingham’s Terrific New Theatre (TNT), Hydock culled her original manuscript down to a 90 minute performance, with a simple set—a chair and photographs of a young Griffith as the backdrop, staging that befits the classic elegance of the play’s subject. To tell this story, Hydock seamlessly moves between two personas: herself and Griffith. When standing, she portrays herself—devoid of accent, describing her interviewee’s expressions, gestures, and ladylike attire; when sitting, she recreates Griffith’s thick, Southern drawl, refined manners, and perfect posture, all the while, bringing the 90-year-old’s adept comedic timing to life. “The story of her life—as she tells it—is funny, irreverent, sassy, tender, and moving—all at the same time,” said Hydock. “What I realized—and I think the audience will realize—is how important it is to pay attention to our lives and notice the extraordinary things that happen to us and people around us all the time.”
Join the Friends of the Mt Laurel Library at the Double Oak Community Church Center Café on July 9th at 7:00 p.m. for this free show. To learn more about actress Dolores Hydock, visit storypower.org. And discover other upcoming events on the Mt Laurel calendar.
