Howick Little Theatre's 2012 season of plays
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In the past six years HLT’s annual line-up has had at least one or two New Zealand plays, and 2012 will be no exception, with two more local stories in the mix, both Auckland premieres. The other plays are comedies from the UK. Two are New Zealand premieres – and the third has been around for a few hundred years or so …
First up is the wickedly funny black comedy The Priory, winner of the Lawrence Olivier Best New Comedy Award for 2010. The plot revolves around Kate, who has found a perfect country retreat for her New Year’s Eve celebrations, and invited her closest friends to join her. But once they all arrive she finds these successful professionals in search of a good time in the sticks can make for a less-than-ideal party … and some surprising resolutions! This play, by Michael Wynne, takes a microscope to dilemmas about life, love and retro board games. The director is Adey Ramsel. This season is part of Arts Festival Out East.
The second play is As You Like It, the first main-stage Shakespeare that HLT has done since 1992. Exiled from home and forced to wander the forest with a clown … what’s a girl to do? How about fool everyone by dressing like a guy. The Bard draws on his signature themes of disguise, misplaced affections and pastoral passion to create this enchanting tale in which Rosalind and a merry band of wanderers find adventure and love among the trees and glens of the Forest of Arden. As You Like It is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. Judy Rankin directs.
Third up is Entertaining Angels, by Richard Everett, which tells the story of a vicar’s wife who has spent a lifetime on her best behaviour, making quiches and pouring endless cups of tea. But now, recently widowed, Grace is enjoying the new-found freedom to say and do exactly what she likes. However, a visit from her eccentric missionary sister and some extraordinary revelations bring Grace back to her earthly senses. With its sharp-edged comedy and probing wit, this acclaimed play has been described as “a surefire hit”. Peter Meikle directs.
In the fourth play we meet 10-year-old Michael Hope. It is the 1960s, and he lives at the edge of the ancient flooded crater now known as Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Inspired by a new year and a new teacher, Michael sets out to map his home ground, charting his history in the sheltering hills and bush. A feast for the imagination, Peninsula fuses light, sound, space and language into story magic. Written by Gary Henderson, who also wrote the brilliant Home Land that HLT staged in 2007, this play has had rave reviews wherever it’s been performed and some people have hailed it as a new New Zealand classic to rival The End of the Golden Weather. Terry Hooper directs.
The year ends with Ladies for Hire, a play by Alison Quigan that centres on a church choir. Christenings, weddings, funerals – these women have sung at them all. But when a young parish priest arrives on the scene, determined to impress the Bishop, the first thing he does is sack the choir, striking more than a few sour notes. The choir try to stay together, booking themselves out as entertainment for stag parties and gorilla-grams, but it doesn’t make for very harmonious relationships. Will they be able to get back in tune in time for the festive season? Rae McGregor directs.
Howick Little Theatre, Sir Lloyd Drive, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Auckland – just 15 minutes from the city centre.
Single tickets will be available from the theatre, 534-1406, or through www.iTicket.co.nz. Subscriptions are now available.
info@hlt.org.nz, 534-1406, or fax 534-1401.
Member Profile
Howick Little TheatreFounded in 1954 by leading professional actress Alma Woods, Howick Little Theatre is an award-winning Auckland community theatre with a reputation for quality productions and a penchant for dynamic, contemporary plays, including new New Zealand work such as King and Country (Dave Armstrong), Home Land (Gary Henderson) and Tzigane (John Vakidis). In 2010 the theatre staged the Auckland premiere of Carl Nixon's powerful and evocative West Coast family drama The Raft. In 2011, audiences saw the first Auckland production of Nixon's The Birthday Boy, which came close to selling out. 2012 started with the UK hit comedy The Priory by Michael Wynne, directed by Adey Ramsel.
The rest of the 2012 season is:
As You Like It
A comedy by William Shakespeare ~ Directed by Judy Rankin
Exiled from home and forced to wander the forest with a clown … what’s a girl to do? How about fool everyone by dressing like a guy. Setting his play against a backdrop of sibling rivalry and political intrigue, the Bard draws on his signature themes of disguise, misplaced affections and pastoral passion to create this enchanting tale in which Rosalind and a merry band of wanderers find adventure and love in the Forest of Arden. As You Like It is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.
Season: May 12 to June 2, 8pm. Matinees: May 13 & 20, 6pmEntertaining Angels
A comedy by Richard Everett ~ Directed by Peter Meikle
“Funny, touching and genuinely thought-provoking comedy.” – Daily Telegraph As a clergy wife, Grace has spent a lifetime on her best behaviour. But now, newly widowed, she is enjoying the new-found freedom to say and do exactly what she likes. However, a visit from her eccentric missionary sister and some extraordinary revelations bring Grace back to her earthly senses. With its sharp-edged comedy and probing wit, this acclaimed play has been described as “a surefire hit”. “The laughter constantly bubbles to the surface.” – British Theatre Guide. The New Zealand premiere.
Season: July 14 to August 4, 8pm. Matinees: July 15 & 22, 6pmPeninsula
A drama by Gary Henderson ~ Directed by Terry Hooper
“Peninsula makes the ordinary universal, timeless and extraordinary.” – NBR.
Michael Hope is 10 and sleeps on a volcano. It is the 1960s, and he lives at the edge of the ancient flooded crater now known as Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Inspired by a new year and a new teacher, Michael sets out to map his home ground, charting his history in the sheltering hills and bush. But not all volcanoes are extinct. Rumblings in the adult world encroach into Michael’s life, throwing his universe into chaos. A feast for the imagination, Peninsula fuses light, sound, space and language into story magic. The Auckland premiere of a play that has wowed audiences and critics at this year's NZ International Festival of the Arts.
Season: September 8 to 29, 8pm. Matinees: September 9 & 16, 6pmLadies For Hire
A comedy by Alison Quigan ~ Directed by Rae McGregor
“Laced with quick, earthy and ironic wit.” – Manawatu Standard.
Christenings, weddings, funerals – these women have sung at them all. But when a young parish priest arrives who’s determined to impress the Bishop, the first thing he does is sack the choir, striking more than a few sour notes. It’s drama on the high Cs! The choir try to stay together, booking themselves out as entertainment for stag parties and gorilla-grams, but it doesn’t make for harmonious relationships. Can they get back in tune in time for the festive season? The Auckland premiere.
Season: Nov 10 to Dec 1, 8pm. Matinees: Nov 11 & 18, 6pmIf you don't want to miss out on plays at HLT, why not buy a subscription? The benefits are cheaper tickets and preferential bookings. For details see: www.hlt.org.nz
The theatre’s commitment to innovation means young people are encouraged to get involved and HLT offers opportunities for first-time directors, as well as training for backstage personnel. Several members, for example, got a technical grounding at HLT then went on to professional careers.
In the past 13 years, those interested in acting, directing, vocal training, lighting and set design have had the opportunity to attend workshops with leading New Zealand theatre professionals, and there are more happening for 2011. Tutors have included Christian Penny, Justin Lewis, Bryan Caldwell, Tracy Grant, Oliver Driver, Cameron Rhodes and Jonathon Hendry. In 2009 Miranda Harcourt, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Stuart Devenie and the Head of Voice at Unitec, Kirstie O'Sullivan, took workshops for actors. In 2011 we held a Shakespeare workshop with Michael Hurst, and an acting workshop with Jennifer Ward-Lealand. A set design workshop with John Parker is in the planning stages for this year. Nik Janiurek will be doing a lighting design course, Robert Hunte a sound design course, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand will be turning her attention to helping actors develop their skills. Stuart Devenie will be taking a weekend course on accents for actors. Keep an eye on: http://www.hlt.org.nz/channels.php/services/workshops/ for details when they're posted.
A number of well-known thespians, including Kerry Smith and Donna Akersten, and Melbourne Theatre Company's former Artistic Director Simon Phillips started out at HLT, and the theatre's drama classes have provided the stepping stone to professional careers over the years. Ben Crowder teaches the senior teens and adult classes on Monday nights. There are also classes available for children from aged six upwards.
In July 2009, the theatre, a first-time entrant, was named a finalist in the Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality category of the WESTPAC MANUKAU BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS. It was the first time in the history of the awards that a theatre had been selected as a finalist.
