Helen Moulder was enjoying a walk in the Opotiki sunshine as she talked about her play Gloria's Handbag.
The award-winning actor is bringing the play to the Royal Wanganui Opera House next Friday night as part of a nationwide tour.
The play was co-written by Moulder and Brisbane-based director and writer Sue Rider.
"When my mother was dying in hospital, her life was in her handbag and that is partly where the idea came from," says Moulder.
"I went and talked to a number of women living in retirement villages as part of my research.
"Part of the story takes place in 2025 when 97-year-old Gloria's son Craig is pushing her to move to a retirement village, says Moulder.
"She has bought herself an expensive Italian handbag and she has other ideas."
The play then shifts to 2075, when Gloria's story is being told with 50 years of hindsight and Moulder said it was fun for the writers to come up with language and technology that may be in use then.
There are six characters in the story and Moulder plays all of them.
Gloria's Handbag is not Moulder's first solo opus - she performed alone in Playing Miss Havisham last time she was in Whanganui.
"The opera house was closed for strengthening work so I'm pleased to be able to perform there this time," says Moulder.
The characters in Gloria's Handbag interact with each other and there is a bit of a range she says.
"There is a young, Australian male gardener and the handbag itself is a character."
"It has a personality that matches its Italian expensiveness."
In addition to playing all the roles, Moulder also sings - there is a bit of opera and music from Mozart's The Magic Flute.
The current north Island part of the tour is five and a half weeks long and Moulder said she is enjoying herself.
After the play had its debut at Circa Theatre, Wellington in 2014 Theatreview described it in glowing terms.
"There are so many goodies in Gloria's Handbag, it's well worth rummaging through"
Gloria's Handbag, 7.30pm, Friday June 2, Royal Wanganui Opera House, 69 St Hill Street.
Adult $28, Senior $25, Friend of the Opera House $23, Student $15, Discount for school groups of 10 or more. Ph 06 349 0512 or book online at royaloperahouse.co.nzroyaloperahouse.co.nz