The beloved performer is heading back to her roots.
Actress Lynne McGranger, who starred in Home and Away, will soon be seen in the original stage comedy, The Grandparents Club.
The adored 71-year-old actress revealed the news on Monday on The Morning Show, where she also discussed her plans for the enduring Australian soap opera and her new endeavor.
Lynne gave fans her word that she would only be gone from Summer Bay for “just a little while” to finish the movie and then return to the soap opera as the blunt-talking Irene Roberts.
Lynne remarked, “(I’ll be going for) just a little while—not leaving anything permanently.”
According to the actress, the theatrical production was about returning to her origins.
“I’m returning to my roots, singing and dancing, engaging with the audience. I came from revue-type situations (shows) — from community theater, all of that,” she remarked.
Although Lynne can hold a tune and belt out a song, she has issued a warning: “I’m no Aretha Franklin.” Lynne will sing during the performance.
McGranger claims to have known radio personality Wendy Harmer since the 1980s, and she wrote the script for the program.
The actress said that the program had a specific message and applauded every member of the cast.
“The audience has come to the club called The Grandparents Club — there is a sauna, 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 actress joined Home and Away as “Irene” in 1993 and is the longest-serving female cast member of a TV soap in Australia.
The Grandparents Club is her first musical after a small role in Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Lynne is no stranger to The Morning Show, last appearing in September last year, where she was left tearful following her daughter Clancy’s wedding.
Lynne became overwhelmed when images of her daughter in her wedding gown came on screen.
“Oh I’m getting teary — It was the best day with the most remarkable people,” Lynne said, her voice breaking with emotion.
“Our in-laws, or not mine, Clancy’s in-laws are divine. Their family and friends are divine. Everybody had the best time.
“It went as smooth as silk and now I have a beautiful son-in-law (Luke) and they are having a great time at the moment in Mykonos – along with the rest of the world, apparently.
“And look, truly … we could not have asked for a better day.”
Lynne said although she was composed on the day of her daughter’s nuptials, all the emotion was now catching up with her.
“I think I had a rock of anxiety the size of Uluru in my chest for months leading-up to and on the day,” she said.
“Although it did dissipate during the day — I think the margaritas helped out!
“But you know, seeing how chilled Clancy was, how fabulous her girlfriends, her attendants were, how fabulous the people (were) at the venue at Byron Bay — at The Farm, I can throw that in — and just seeing how smoothly everything was going, it all dissipated.”
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