Auntie and Me

“Why don’t old folk just do the decent thing and die? Why do they malinger malevolently, preventing you from getting your hands on the money…………….”
Ben McDonald presents

David McPhail & Dame Kate Harcourt in Auntie & Me
By Morris Panych
Directed by Kevin Baddiley

“Deliciously mischievous” —Time Out New York
“Wickedly dark . . . hilarious, quirky, and heartfelt” —Variety

Dame Kate Harcourt and David McPhail star in this deliciously dark comedy. When an embittered, self-involved bachelor arrives to care for the dying aunt he hasn’t seen since childhood, his brief visit stretches to interminable lengths. As her health improves against all odds—and against his hopes—their relationship evolves in unexpected ways. This tour de force offers a wonderful and very funny look at family, growing old and the human condition.

To bring this very funny play to the stage producer Ben McDonald has engaged two of New Zealand’s greatest theatrical veterans; making the 2010 tour of Auntie and Me a very special evening of New Zealand theatrical history.

Dame Kate Harcourt DNZM, JP

Dame Kate’s professional career began in the 1960s with the pre-school radio programme Listen With Mother and Junior Magazine, a weekly children’s programme and as Kirkcaldie and Stains’ fashion co-ordinator.  Since then she has worked extensively on radio, television, film and in theatre.
She was a founding member of Hen’s Teeth touring company and in 1990 she toured to the Edinburgh Festival, to Oslo, London and Sydney with the Downstage Theatre production of Hedda Gabler.
In 1996 she appeared with her daughter, Miranda, in the International Festival production of Flowers From My Mother’s Garden. She also appeared in the original production of Renee’s Wednesday To Come and again in the 2005 Downstage revival.

Kate is patron of several arts organisations and in 1996 was honoured to be made DNZM for Her Contribution to Theatre and in 1997 was chosen as The Evening Post’s Wellingtonian of the Year.

David McPhail ONZM, QSM

David McPhail has worked in the NZ theatre industry as a writer, director and performer, he has produced and directed over 300 programmes for New Zealand television and he is one of the most well known and experienced comedy actors in New Zealand.  His many roles as a writer and performer include A Week of It, McPhail and Gadsby and Letter to Blanchy.

David has received many awards for his work.  He has been named both Actor of the Year and Television Personality of the Year on two occasions.  He holds the QSM for Service to the Community and was nominated for the 1999 SPADA On film Champion Award.  He has published two books in association with Jon Gadsby and A.K.Grant and is currently a columnist for The Press in Christchurch.  David is an articulate and witty speaker, debater and professional MC.  He is currently adding the finishing touches to his biography which has been commissioned by Random House and is due out in time for Christmas 2010.