Candle power for Earth Hour

Downstage Theatre will be turning off all non-essential lighting on Saturday the 28th of March in support of Earth Hour. This will include the buildings exterior lighting and candles will be used in the bar throughout the evening.

Earth Hour is the World Wide Fund for Nature global climate change initiative, encouraging people around the world to switch off their non-essential lights and appliances for one hour - Earth Hour - on Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm.

The stage lights will need to remain on however as Earth Hour falls on the opening weekend of Downstage Theatre’s return season of My Brilliant Divorce starring Ginette McDonald. Ginette is a big supporter of Earth Hour, saying “Some cynics reckon global warming is a lot of hot air, but if you live on the South Coast as I do, you can hear the sound of those ‘bergs snapping off the Arctic shelf.”

A sell-out in 2008, this comedy explores what life is like for Angela, recently dumped by her accountant husband for a younger model.

Emotionally bereft and with self-confidence at an all time low, Angela slowly and at times painfully rebuilds her life. She finds herself adrift in a sea of weird sexual encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counsellors, a bad case of hypochondria and the spectre of poverty. Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on?

With My Brilliant Divorce, written by Geraldine Aron, Ginette McDonald is back once again at Downstage Theatre in Wellington, where she began acting professionally at the age of 14. "It was love at first sight. While still a 4th former, I apprenticed myself to the theatre, doing set building, prop making, prompting and waitressing, eventually graduating to acting roles. Downstage provided me with the opportunity to explore my potential – it is part of my DNA.”

It was at Downstage where she developed the famous Lyn of Tawa, a character that she describes as a “Cultural Ambassador & Certifiable Living Treasure”. Ginette has been a vital part of the New Zealand entertainment industry for many years as comedienne, actress, producer, director and TV presenter.

My Brilliant Divorce premiered to full houses and rave reviews at Downstage in May 2008 and was the theatre’s most successful show last year.

Starring Ginette McDonald

Written by Geraldine Aron

Directed and designed by John Harding

Sound Design by Gil Eva Craig | Lighting Design by Lisa Maule

• My Brilliant Divorce at Downstage Theatre from Thursday 26 March till Saturday 11 April.