‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry, and reflect on the fantastic year of theatre that is rapidly coming to a close!
2010 started with the return of Dick Whittington and His Cat, a Roger Hall pantomime of epic proportions. Look out behind you!
Next, we saw another return season in Circa One, The 39 Steps. Back by popular demand, The 39 Steps took audiences on a hilarious and action-packed journey of spy-spoof fun!
Ninety kicked off the year in Circa Two, revealing that ninety minutes sometimes isn’t enough to heal a broken heart.
The Circa One season continued with the NZ International Arts Festival production of Mary Stuart, the thrilling story of the bloody feud between two of history’s greatest women.
The Letter Writer, Circa’s other NZ International Arts Festival submission, enjoyed a short season in Circa One and fascinated audiences with its story of suspense and transcendent love. Actor Peter Hambleton was recognized with a Chapman Tripp Award for his role in this production.
The Improvisors contributed a lot to Circa in 2010, the group’s 20th anniversary season. Gary Trotter and the Philosopher’s Whatchamacallit, Theatresports, Holmes Alone, Shakespeare – The Musical and three improv shows for kids: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Gnome on the Roam and Pirates. That is a whole lotta improv!
In April, we were introduced to the surreal world of Dead Man’s Cell Phone, where the adventure started with the ringing of a cell phone. Actor Christopher Brougham was awarded a Chapman Tripp Award for his role in this production.
Audiences couldn’t help tapping their toes and shaking their hips to the intoxicating music of The Nero Show, the show that brought ancient Rome to the 1960s, with all the style and flavour of America’s favourite political family.
We were treated to another melodic delight in June with the Circa Two hit He Reo Aroha, a beautiful story of love and music.
Who knew that stamp collecting could be so suspenseful? Audiences discovered just how much during Mauritius, in which the seemingly benign hobby showed its darker side.
Parlour Song took Circa Two audiences to the English countryside, and revealed that nothing is what it seems in suburbia.
The roaring 20s were brought to fabulous life in Circa One with the mid-winter hit, The Great Gatsby. In a flurry of sequins, glamour and gaiety, this tragic story of love and emptiness exploded the façade of the American Dream before our very eyes.
Did you hear the one about the man who was shipwrecked on a desert island where he discovered a treasure trove of pearls, learned to ride giant sea turtles and married a native princess, all the while accompanied by his trusty dog and sidekick, Bruno? If so, you likely saw the Circa Two hit Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, and were delighted by the tall tales of Victorian Fabulist Louis De Rougemont. Cast member Darlene Mohekey was awarded a Chapman Tripp Award for her role in Shipwrecked!
One thing that nearly everyone has in common is a First Time, and the Circa One extravaganza My First Time shared the first time stories of people from all over the world, revealing that we have more in common then we ever realized.
The BeatGirls returned to Circa in October after four years away, raising the temperature in Circa Two with BeatCamp as they dazzled their sold-out audiences with songs from The Andrews Sisters to Amy Winehouse.
Next up in Circa One was The Birthday Boy, a hilarious and poignant revelation of how life never turns out according to plan. This production was accented by birthday celebrations throughout the season, with the cast serenading lucky birthday boys and girls from the stage.
Me and Robert McKee revealed the inner workings of the writer and the writing process in this intriguing and exceedingly funny Circa Two sensation. Actor Christopher Brougham was recognized with his second Chapman Tripp Award of the year for his role in this production.
There he is! Oh no he isn’t. Oh yes he is! Roger Hall brings us another of his hilarious and thoroughly engaging pantomimes for the 2010 Christmas season: Robin Hood, the Pantomime. This show is currently delighting audiences of young and old alike, and will return in 2011 to continue the delight. Get your tickets by calling the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.
Finally, the Circa Two season closes with The Second Test, the one-man exploration of courage and strength in the face of devastating loss. Depicting the true story of the 1953/54 NZ Cricket tour to South Africa, this show runs until 23 December and is not to be missed. Get your tickets by calling the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or going online at www.circa.co.nz.
We’d like to thank our patrons, sponsors and the Wellington theatre community for your support in 2010, and wish you all the best for 2011. We will close at 1 pm on 24 December, reopening at 10 am on 3 January.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Circa Theatre!
Cara Hill
Audience Development Director
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