Howick Little Theatre 2010 season

Founded 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, 6pm

Entertaining 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, 6pm

Peninsula
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, 6pm

Ladies 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, 6pm

If 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.