Jonathan Morgan as Friar Tuck

Roger Hall’s Robin Hood: The Pantomime opens In Circa One on 21 November.  This week in drama* on the waterfront, Julie O’Brien talks with Jonathan about his career, costume changes and corpsing.

Who do you play in Robin Hood?

I play two roles - Rumble and Friar Tuck.

Does it get difficult swapping between the two characters?

Not on stage, but there are some pretty fast costumes changes so I hope I get those right. The great thing about performing with this cast is that most of them have had a lot of experience in panto, so I’m sure if I walked on stage in the wrong costume, someone would help me out… I hope!

Jonathan Morgan in rehearsal for Robin Hood:  The Pantomime.

What training have you had? 

I currently hold a Bachelor of Applied Arts; Performing Arts (Singing) and a Diploma in Performing Arts (Singing) from Whitireia Performance Centre (2013) and a Certificate in Screen Acting from Wellington Performing Arts Centre (2010).

What have we seen you in?

I performed in Destination Beehive (2014) and Red Riding Hood: The Pantomime (2014) at Circa Theatre.  You also may have been seen me as Eugene in Wellington Musical Theatre's Grease (2014) and in Wellington Musical Theatre's Hairspray (2012).  I also performed in Miss Saigon at the Arts Centre, Gold Coast, earlier this year. It’d be interesting to know if anyone saw me in that!

If you weren't performing, what would you be doing? 

If I wasn't performing, I would most probably be teaching. I'd love to be a Drama/Social Studies teacher.

Jonathan Morgan, in rehearsal with Andrew Patterson.

What's a favourite role that you've played and why? 

My favourite role I have played would be George Hemi Arapeta in Destination Beehive (2014, Circa Theatre). It was my first professional show and I learnt a lot about being in the theatre and about politics. It was amazing working with Lorae Parry and Pinky Agnew, too. They are both very funny and it was great to see how they worked. Highlight: my character performed a reggae/rap song. It was awesome.

What's a role that's you'd love to play and why? 

A role that I would love to play would be 'Simon/Lola' in Kinky Boots. The musical is inspiring, beautiful, and has very catchy music.

What are your plans after Robin Hood? 

I am considering studying a postgraduate diploma in teaching through Victoria University, but haven't committed yet. (Let's leave this one out, for now ha ha!).

The cast of Robin Hood:  The Pantomime in rehearsal at Circa Theatre.

What’s it like doing the Panto?

Brilliant! We are having so much fun. Rehearsals are hilarious and a lot of laughs. It’s taking a lot of discipline to stop myself from corpsing. Hopefully by the time the show comes around, I’ll be used to the jokes and not find them funny anymore… I seriously doubt it, though!

Roger Hall’s Robin Hood: The Pantomime opens 21 November and runs until 9 January.

Red Riding Hood: 'an entertaining show, filled with romance, comedy and drama'

Red Riding Hood herself, Awhimai Fraser, talks to drama on the waterfront about the panto experience for the first post of 2015!

Awhimai Fraser in Red Riding Hood. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

There is nothing more rewarding than watching a young child trying to tell you out of pure desperation that there is “a wolf behind you” or with cheeks turning red out of exertion after “booing” the villain off the stage. Of course, that doesn't beat the moment when the adults in the audience discover the multiple meanings of jokes in this pantomime.  

Patrick Davies and Awhimai Fraser in Red Riding Hood. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Being a member of this cast has been an absolute honour, leaving me with many fond memories; sharing stories around the dinner table, completing chocolate calendars leading up to Christmas, singing “Let it go” at the top of my lungs with the cast as a ‘pre-show warm up’ or meeting the children after the show and seeing their new found love for the Arts. 

Awhimai Fraser and Simon Leary in Red Riding Hood. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

After having a lovely Christmas break with my family, I am ready to get back into the second season of this exciting show! So book your tickets NOW and be prepared for an entertaining show, filled with romance, comedy and drama. Even better, it’s suitable for all ages! Why not make a night of it and have dinner at Circa’s very own bar/restaurant Encore – they make the best chicken pot pies.

Red Riding Hood, the Pantomime runs until 10 January. To book, visit, www.circa.co.nz or call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992.

Meet the super talented cast of Red Riding Hood ...

The Dominion Post called it

“A FULL-ON, HIGH ENERGY, THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE ROMP!”

So who are the super-talented people making this happen?  Meet the cast of Roger Hall’s RED RIDING HOOD The Pantomime ….

Awhimai Fraser (Red Riding Hood)

(Sandy in Grease, Hairspray)

Red Riding Hood is the first Pantomime I have had the privilege to be a part of and it has been such a wonderful experience. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much during a rehearsal process. The actors in this are witty, captivating and extremely polished. I love now doing it before an audience and hopefully inspiring kids to do the right thing, just like Red Riding Hood!

Gavin Rutherford (Grandma Hood – the Dame)

(A View from the Bridge, Equivocation)

This is the fifth year I will be ‘donning the frock’ for a pantomime. Earlier shows were Roger Hall's Robin Hood, Cinderella, and Aladdin, and last year’s Mother Goose. Every time we have so much fun putting these silly shows together. I think making ourselves laugh (and therefore our audience sharing the fun that we are having) is an essential part of these wonderfully fun summer treats.

  

Carrie Green (Dahlia Hood)

(Destination Beehive, I Could Live Here)

This is my first Circa panto and I'm stoked that for my first time I get to play mother to Awhi and daughter to Gavin - we make an interesting wee 'family'. I love our little company. Acting everyday with a bunch of seriously funny people is my dream job. I hope you guys enjoy the show as much as I enjoy being part of it!

Jane Waddell (Boris)

(August Osage County, Who Wants to be a Hundred?)

It's a great pleasure to be part of the Panto team again - I've had Panto withdrawal since I played Lady Muck in Robin Hood four years ago.  Prior to that I'd been in Jack and the Beanstalk, and Dick Whittington. The cast expends a massive amount of energy, but the pay-off is the audience participation - together we raise the roof!

Jonathan Morgan (Morris)

(Destination Beehive, Grease)

Red Riding Hood is my first pantomime experience. The rehearsals were hilariously entertaining, both due to the writing and the cast.  And now that we have an audience, I just love that the show is directed at both children and adults and I really enjoy the great audience reactions.

Patrick Davies (Sir Roger Bounder)

(The Pitmen Painters, The Motor Camp (Fortune))

I’m having a blast in this production as Sir Roger Bounder, the evil property developer with no heart and a lust for profit. Nothing can touch Sir Roger for devilish good looks and a mind like a steel trap. He’s obviously the main role that everyone will admire – or else! It’s always great fun to be booed! "

Simon Leary (Lance)

(The Pitmen Painters, Hound of the Baskervilles)

After doing last year's pantomime Mother Goose, I'm very excited to be returning to the world of panto - this time as Lance - The DOC Worker. What better way to spend a summer than with a bunch of crazy characters making silly jokes while singing and dancing? I just feel sorry for people who only get to see it once! 

Tom Truss (The Wolf)

(The Marvellous Adventures of Jack & Daisy, Immaculate)

Coming from the USA (I arrived in NZ in 2012), this is my first time doing or seeing a panto and it is infinitely more fun and fabulous than I thought it would be. I laugh more each time I see it so I think everybody should see it at least twice - if not thrice ; )

Red Riding Hood runs until 21 December, and then returns in the New Year 2-10 January. Performances before Christmas are already selling out, so book soon! www.circa.co.nz / 801-7992

Photos by Stephen A'Court.

The Grand Dame of the Circa Pantomime

This week on drama on the waterfront, Gavin Rutherford, who will don the dress for the 5th time this year as Grandma Hood in Red Riding Hood, takes us down memory lane of his time as Dame.

Photo by Stephen A'Court.

This year for the famous Circa Christmas Pantomime, we are remounting Roger Hall’s Red Riding Hood. This was the first pantomime that I appeared in at Circa back in 2008. I played the bad guy, Sir Roger Bounder. The amazing and hilarious Julian Wilson was Grandma Hood and I have large happy memories of crying with laughter at his inventiveness and skill in the rehearsal room and on stage. Julian then moved up to Auckland with his beautiful wife and have lived happily ever after (as is fitting).

Robin Hood rehearsals started the next year with me, wig in hand and up to my knees in a frock (to be factually correct it reached a little higher). Robin Hood was full of the usual Roger Hall hilarity and I loved that the two quintessential English heroes (Robin Hood and Maid Marian) were played by the incredibly talented and proudly Maori, Jamie McKaskill and Kali Kopae. I was very nervous stepping into the Dame’s shoes on opening night, but with love and help from Susan Wilson and Paul Jenden (and even some great words of support from Jennifer Lal (it hasn’t happened since)) AND with a script close at hand at the side of the stage AND with Michael Nicholas Williams giving me every trick in the book I managed to get through it and experience the true meaning of sweat. In the end I had to fall in love with a large blue Viking dragon thing. I should have chosen Jeff Kingsford Brown (who played the evil Sherriff) but sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them too.

Aladdin was a reworking of a very successful season in which Julian Wilson played Widow Twankey. I had to have a different costume and I am a few sizes larger than Mr Wilson. His corset would not have covered much. Richard Chapman was our Aladdin and Jessica Robinson was Princess Jasmine. My daughter Mikayla was now becoming accustomed to the pantomime and after watching an early rehearsal, promptly fell in love with Jessica’s princess. Nick Dunbar was the villain of the piece and was lithe and ridiculous and all round excellent. One time, at panto, he was bending me over a bench in front of two hundred people and I couldn’t find the magic lamp (a rather important prop). I had to leave him onstage and (whilst shouting such helpful things like “It’s not in the toiiileeet”) madly search backstage. After a minute I had to give up and go back onstage, very white faced (more so than usual) and try to improvise a way out! Luckily enough Richard Chapman had found the lamp and it came sliding out onto the stage to many laughs and gasps of relief from us. As a side note to this season, Sir Ian McKellen (who once famously played Widow Twankey) came to see a show. We were all very nervous. As I started singing my first song I saw a tall elderly man in a pink cardigan elegantly walk down the aisle of the theatre and leave the auditorium. He never came back. He probably just realised he’d seen it before or something, ay. (uncomfortable pause)

Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Cinderella was actually my first pantomime, but I originally did it Dunedin when the fat ugly sister was named Obetia. Roger Hall has now changed it to the more politically neutral, Bertha. I remember on the opening night in Dunedin doing a big high kick during a number and one of my delicate little jazz slippers flying off into the audience. I thought, “Oh no. They’ll think it was a mistake” (which of course it was), so I decisively kicked my other slipper off. I was shoeless until interval. That was a trick for young players! Lesson learned. At Circa my sister was the hilarious Jon Pheloung. It was great to have someone to bounce off literally and figuratively. Our ‘other’ sister was Chelsea Bognuda (an even bigger girl crush for Mikayla) who was a charming and talented Cinderella. This pantomime was marked mostly by the great Johnny Wraight and his amazing sailing skateboard (it made the 6 o clock news one night) and by jumping off the diving platform outside Circa between shows one hot sunny day. I had had enough after one leap! It is a bigger fall than it looks. Our esteemed stage manager Eric Gardiner (all of 70 years old) jumped off twice!

Mother Goose was the first pantomime written by Michele Amas and one of my favourites. I loved how brave she was to have an openly gay and fully accepted family member character in what was already a very camp show. Simon Leary was fantastic in the role and trying to keep up with the improvisational comic talents of him and the wonderful Kathleen Burns, was a challenge and a joy every night. I was thrilled that we received no complaint letters about Simon’s character. Can’t beat Wellington on a good day!

Mother Goose was our first pantomime at Circa that Paul Jenden wasn’t a very committed member of the rehearsals room, production team and creative drive. Rest in peace Paul.

Red Riding Hood. Full circle? No wonder I am dizzy. As I write this we are just about the head into production week. The show is in excellent. Simon Leary is making me laugh so much it hurts. Awhimai Fraser is the sweetest Red Riding Hood with an incredible voice. Carrie Green is all curls and pouting. Patrick Davies is brilliant with physical comedy and his timing is immaculate. Jane Waddell and Jonathon Morgan are the perfect clown duo. And Tom Truss? Let’s just say Bring on the Full Moon!

Mother Goose: On Writing a Panto

For the first blog post of 2014, Mother Goose playwright Michele Amas tells drama on the waterfront about her experience writing a pantomime.

On Writing a Panto

By Michele Amas    

I know from my experience as an actor that pantomime performers are extremely versatile, far more versatile than I am as an actor. They sing and dance, they clown, they mimic, etc. as well as act. Knowing what they are capable of meant there was an unlimited scope for what I would like them to do performance wise. At times when writing the panto I would be relieved to think - well I won’t be in this show, so these quick changes of costume, etc won’t be my problem. Having said that there is nothing I have written that I know the actors can’t do. Actors love challenges so it’s fun to write with that in mind.

(left to right) Lyndee-Jane Rutherford, Kathleen Burns, Gavin Rutherford. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Panto is different from other types of plays and other types of rehearsals. There is more direct input from the cast and it is fascinating to watch how they interpret and expand the roles from within the script. There seems to be more flexibility demanded of the writer. You have to be as relaxed about the process as you can. You have to allow the actors to play with what you have written, the important thing is for them to own it and keep it fresh. There’s more audience interaction demanded in panto so actors need to be good improvisers too, and if you have good improvisers in your cast it would be counterproductive for the writer to get too dogmatic about the script.

(left to right) Simon Leary, Lyndee-Jane Rutherford, Richard Osborne. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

The challenge I set myself was to create a theatre piece that served both children and adults, to be playful with the physicality and comic business, and also with the words, puns, double entendre, jokes etc. To have a strong storyline with all the twists and turns and drama you’d expect to see from any play and for that to be combined with songs and catchy music. I wanted it to be contemporary and have topical references to Wellington and have political shots across the bow that our audiences enjoy while still retaining the classical aspects of pantomime such as the dame of course.

MICHELE AMAS  -  Playwright

Michele Amas is an award winning actress and writer. Originally from Dunedin she graduated from The New Zealand Drama School, Toi Whakaari in the 80s and has been a professional actress ever since. Michele was worked throughout NZ  as an actor and director in theatre and television. Most recently seen at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin in Calendar Girls, Circa Theatre in Wellington in Peninsula and August Osage County, in which she won Best Actress in the Chapman Tripp Awards. Other productions include Joyful and Triumphant, The Clean House, Blood Wedding and Tom Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll for which she won Best Supporting Actress. She also won Best Supporting Actress for Mammals and Best Actress for The Herbal Bed.

She has an MA in creative writing from Victoria University where she was awarded the Adam Prize for her portfolio 2005. Her first book of poetry After the Dance  was nominated for a Montana Book Award in 2007, and was shortlisted for that years Prize in Modern Letters.

Her poems have been published in Sport 33, online in Turbine and in Best New Zealand Poems 2005, as well as Sport, Bravado, Kaupapa global issues anthology 2007, Pacific Coast Review and the Iowa Review, Landfall, The best of the best anthology 2011, 4^th floor, prize winner in the Casleberg Trust poetry competition 2011  Her short film ‘Redial’ that she wrote and directed was in competition in the 2002 Venice Film festival She also writes for the theatre and has had stories played on National Radio.

Mother Goose runs in Circa One until 11 January - to book, visit www.circa.co.nz or call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992.

Meet the Cast of Mother Goose!

Meet the talented cast of Mother Goose - The Pantomime!

Gavin Rutherford  (Mother Goose)

(Aladdin - The Pantomime, The Price)

“I'm looking forward to this fantastic summer of pantomime. This year's cast is fantastic and with a fresh look at the writing and music, I'm sure there will a fabulous time had by all in Nurseryville! I'm looking forward to trying to keep up with the talented young newcomers - Kathleen Burns, Simon Leary and Richard Osborne. They bring a wild array of amazing humour, improvisation, singing and creativity to our panto world. Grab a Christmas group and I'll meet you down at the chicken farm!!”

Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (Lucy the Goose)

(Cinderella – The Pantomime, Grumpy Old Women (tour))

“It's wonderful to be playing Lucy Goose. I'm having fun in the rehearsal room doing my best panto comedy goose interpretations. It's been lovely to experience the laughter in the rehearsal room as I run around honking and goosing."

Kathleen Burns (Jill)

(Grease (Court), Avenue Q (Fortune) )

"The rehearsal room is delightful madness... A promise of magical show ripens... This is a pantomime for all who want a good giggle this summer so don't miss out! Book now, I'll see you at the bar after."  

Jude Gibson (Marjory Daw / Count)

(Red Riding Hood – The Pantomime, The Price )

“This truly is a pantomime for everyone - no matter what your age, your gender, your persuasion - there's something for EVERYONE!!!  Come and join in the antics, the fun, the laughter, the adventure, and the love!!!!  A great cast brings a brand new panto from the pen of Michele Amas to the Circa stage for the first time!  Come and be a part of panto history in the making!”

Simon Leary (Simon)

(Mates and Lovers (Downstage), Chekhov in Hell)

“With original music, a witty contemporary script and a talented cast of actors, Mother Goose is gonna be a dream summer job for me, and a great night out for audiences.”

Richard Osborne (Jack)

(Public Service Announcement (Bats), Mancub (Basement Ak))

“Growing up in England, a visit to the Pantomime was as much a part of Christmas as decorating the Christmas tree or building a snowman. The thrill of venturing out on a  blustery winters day to witness the spectacle of the Panto has never left me; now it's my honour to share the magic, awe and wonder I felt as a child with a cool Kiwi crowd in the capital.”

John Wraight (Squire Diddly Squat / Henchman)

(Cinderella – The Pantomime, Robin Hood - The Pantomime)

“It is so cool to be in yet another panto at Circa. The tradition keeps growing wonderfully with each show.  Mother Goose is shaping up beautifully with some great characters and lovely vibrant music. I always feel like it's the fun end of the year when the pantomime comes around. Bring it on!?”

Michelle Scullion (Musical Director & musician)

"Back in the 70s I was in my first Pantomime - Pinocchio - back then I played The Cricket, Frog, Bird, Tight-rope Walker, and The Fairy. In Mother Goose I play the keyboard, Cabassa, Alto Flute, Computer, Tambourine and a whole range of other "Hitty" things. For me, Pantomime is LOFFASOTS - Loads of Fun From All Sides of The Stage!!!!!  Great team, fantastic production - heaps of laughs - what else is a Pantomime mean to be?”

Mother Goose opens on 16 November and runs until 22 December, reopening for a short post-holiday season 2-11 January. There will be $25 tickets specials on Friday, 15 November and Sunday, 17 November. An audio described performance will take place on Sunday, 15 December. To book, visit www.circa.co.nz or call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992.

Cinderella: Let's hear from the audience ...

Happy New Year! We hope you had a lovely holiday season!

For our first post of 2013, we thought we would take a look back at some of the rave audience responses we've received for Cinderella over the season. There are still five performances to go, so if you haven't seen it yet, these will convince you that it's not to be missed:

To book for one of the remaining performances of Cinderella, please call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

THE UGLY SISTERS’ VERY EFFECTIVE GUIDE TO DATING ROYALTY

Hi, Grace here, also known as Princess Grace. Just kidding! I mean, I wish I was married to a prince. But so far, no luck.

The Ugly Stepsisters: Grace (left) and Bertha.

My sister, Bertha, and I live in Miramar, a suburb where there are hardly any princes. So instead we’ve been on the lookout for famous international movie stars who might be visiting to work on movies. Y’know, like Sir Ian McKellen, or Mark Hadlow. I particularly like Sir Ian, he’s soooo hot for an older man. And I hear from some of my friends in the theatre he’s very well-encumbered. With cash.

But we’ve hung out in all the cafes in Seatoun and no luck. Although, we met Andy Serkis once. He was very charming and sweet and is actually taller than Gollum in real life.

You’re probably wondering why my sister and I are in such a man drought. After all, we have a lot to offer – mainly, the ability to shop without taking toilet breaks, and to eat and drink anything we are offered no matter how disgusting. I’m beginning to think the nickname we gave ourselves – The Extremely Pretty And Feminine Sisters – isn’t helping. It intimidates men. And women. It’s difficult to meet lovely men when all the women around the place are jealous and saying nasty things about you. According to these envious persons, my sister and I are gross. They say we are rude and vulgar. To these epithets we can only respond: “Suck it, moles!!”

Um… yes, as I said, these persons say we’re mean, especially to our sister, Cinderella. (It’s pronounced “Cin – DUHHH – rella,” emphasis on the “duh.”) And anyway, she’s not even our real sister, just a half-sister. That’s because she’s so, ahem, under-developed (if you get my meaning) she only qualifies as half of a sister. Actually, she’s our step-sister. Which means, for those who don’t know their genealogical terms, we’re entitled to step on her whenever we want. Speaking of genealogical matters, I went to my genealogicist the other day (just a checkup) and everything’s fine!

Where were we… ah, yes… I’m all ready for a royal marriage, and so is Bertha, so let’s get back to the matter at hand, ensnaring handsome and powerful men.

Step One: Forget the losers. Don’t waste your time on the sort of man who has nothing to offer. No mimes. No shoe salesmen. No pensioners (unless they are Sir Ian.) No politicians. And definitely no musicians. (The only exceptions to the last rule are drummers, because they have good personalities.)

Step Two: Know your prey. Read about royal matters and protocol. I have found Peter Ackroyd’s two-volume ‘History Of The English Kings’ particularly useful. And also the Woman’s Weekly.

Step Three: Watch your diet. Try to combine food groups to achieve a balance. For instance, don’t eat an entire dinner of Cheezels. Instead, combine a portion of Cheezels with one portion each of Burger Rings and Rashuns.

Step Four: Attend to your ladygarden. Grooming is very important, ladies. Luckily, Bertha and I have Cinderella on call to trim our nethers. Important supplies to always have on hand: wax strips, tweezers, Nair, acetylene blow torch.

Step Five: Boost your confidence. This can be achieved in several ways. Self-talk is a good one. In any social situation, simply tell yourself you are superior to everyone else. Try NOT to say it out loud. You can also use approved and perfectly legal methods for improving self-confidence. These include spirits, wine, beer, RTDs, and fermented cabbage juice. (Important: avoid drinking fermented cabbage juice if intending to trim your ladygarden with a blow torch.) Lastly, adopt a nickname. We have chosen “The Extremely Pretty And Feminine Sisters” so you can’t have that one.

Photos by Stephen A'Court.

Good luck with your dating adventures! Message us here at Circa Theatre with your stories.

Lots of love from Grace and Bertha Hardup xox

Cinderella, the Pantomime runs in Circa until 23 December, and then comes back in the New Year for a short run from 2-12 January. Tickets are selling fast - an extra matinee perfomance has been added on 22 December due to popular demand! To book your tickets, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz. 

Cinderella, the Pantomime: In-depth with the Fairy Godmother

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother takes time from her busy pre-pantomime schedule to answer a few questions for drama on the waterfront.

What's the best thing about being a Fairy Godmother?
It's very rewarding making Cinderella's life a bit better. She has such a hard life. 

What's the worst thing about being a Fairy Godmother?
I can only change little things. I can't change people's choices so it's frustrating for me to not be able to end the terrible things in the world. 

Where do you go out in Wellington?
It's actually really annoying going out as every second person wants me to wave my wand. Plus, alcohol goes straight to my wings. 

Do you know Father Christmas?
Not really. We say Hello up in the clouds sometimes but we're both very busy people so there's not really much time for conversation. 

Do Fairies have meetings?
We don't have meetings as such but we do congregate during inter island travel at the Fairy Terminal. 

Do you have a boyfriend?
No, I'm too busy, but I did have a brief relationship with the Wizard of Christchurch but the long distance thing made it difficult.

What's your favourite food?
Anything with a lot of fibre is good for Fairies as it's useful for takeoff and gives us the lightness to remain in the air. 

Is it cool being able to fly?
Before humans learnt to fly it was a lot easier as now there is so much traffic in the sky.  And planes, rockets and space shuttles can do a lot of damage to a wee Fairy like myself. They're pretty noisy though so I just get out of the way when I hear them coming. 

Do you like doing the Pantomime?
It is an absolute joy for a Fairy Godmother to spend so much time with children and their families. It makes my wand twinkle to see so many people in the audience laughing and having a happy time.

Cinderella, the Pantomime opens on Saturday, 17 November and runs until 23 December, returning after Christmas for a two week season 2-12 January. There are still tickets available for the $25 Preview on Friday, 16 November but the $25 Special on Sunday, 18 November has SOLD OUT. To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

Cinderella Needs a Leg Up!

The crew of Cinderella - The Pantomime are in need of an item for their upcoming season and wonder if you might be able to give them a hand (or a leg ...)?

Needed as a prop for the season of Cinderella - The Pantomime, 17 November - 23 December, 2-12 January (although it might be needed a bit earlier for rehearsals) is the following:

- a mannequin leg, whole - thigh to foot - preferably female and elegant 

If you have this item and would be interested in lending it to Circa to be used in the production (in exchange for a couple of tickets and acknowledgement in the programme!), please contact:

Cara Hill

Audience Development Director

cara.hill@circa.co.nz

p.s. If you don't have it but can point us in the direction of someone who does, that would also be much appreciated!

Aladdin, the Pantomime:"all about having fun and being silly whether you’re on stage or in the audience"

Aladdin, the Pantomime is back in Circa One for its short, post-Christmas season and actor Jessica Robinson takes time from getting back into the swing of things to tell drama on the waterfront all about Princess Jasmine and the pantomime experience.

Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (L) and Jessica Robinson (R) in Aladdin. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: You play the Princess Jasmine in Aladdin; what can you tell us about her?

JR: Princess Jasmine is a bit of a rebel. Her father, the Sultan, has high expectations of the wealth she could make him by choosing the right kind of husband but she just wants the freedom to make her own choices.

DOTW: What has been the highlight moment for you during Aladdin?

JR: From a performer’s perspective, the audience participation is the highlight of the show. My favourite moment so far was when a little boy in the audience decided to throw his shoes on stage right in the middle of a “high tension” moment. The look on all of our faces must have been priceless as we all tried to figure out how to deal with it. The little boy also got the biggest round of applause that night.

DOTW: Have you been in any of the Circa pantomimes before? What can you tell us about the pantomime experience?

JR: I played Alice in Dick Whittington and His Cat two years ago and the main thing I learned was never to take myself too seriously. Pantomime is all about having fun and being silly whether you’re on stage or in the audience.

Jessica Robinson (centre) in Dick Whittington and His Cat, Circa , 2009/2010. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: What can you tell us about the rest of the cast and crew?

JR: It’s a great team. We all get on really well and in fact the hardest thing about doing this production is not falling into hysterical laughter on stage.  

DOTW: Is there a marked difference between performing in the pantomime before Christmas and after? Does the audience reaction differ at all?

JR: The audience is usually a bit more sober after Christmas, and like us, probably a little rounder.

Jessica Robinson and Richard Chapman in Aladdin. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Aladdin is back on in Circa One until 14 January. To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.

Aladdin, the Pantomime: Don't miss it!

Actor Nick Dunbar takes time from Aladdin to tell drama on the waterfront all about playing an evil villain and a polygamist Sultan.

"I play two characters in Aladdin: Abanazar, the villain of the piece, who has the hots for the beautiful Princess Jasmine (I mean, who wouldn't?), daughter of the Sultan. He is also bent on eventually ruling the country and also of course becoming rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrich! It's all easily done, as long as he gets that magic lamp back. His friend and companion Kebab, played by himself, is a demon, literally. They're pretty close and are experts in magic (real) tricks. Abanazar and Kebab could tell you how the magic tricks are done, but they would have to kill you afterwards, and that's just one example of how evil they are.

Nick Dunbar as the evil villain Abanazar. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

I also play the Sultan, the supreme ruler of the land, Old Arabee. He's Princess Jasmine's dad, and would like to see her married off to someone with lots of cash, squillions in fact. The laws of old Arabee decree that unless a woman is betrothed by the time she is 20, she is doomed to live the rest of her days single. He spends most of his time partying at the palace with his seven wives and chopping peoples heads off with his Big Chop machine. It's lots of fun. He has a wide screen tv in every room at the palace, even in the toilet, and owns 143 luxury cars, none of which has been driven.

 It's been a blast working and playing with everyone involved in Aladdin, and if the audience's response in the first week is anything to go by, it's going to be a great season ... Don't miss it!"

Aladdin runs until 23 December and then comes back in the New Year for a two week season 3-14 January. Pre-Christmas performances are filling up fast, so get your tickets quick! To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.