Aladdin, the Pantomime: It should be a Les Mills class!

Actor Gavin Rutherford talks about taking on the role of the most famous pantomime dame of all, the Widow Twankey, in Roger Hall's adaptation of Aladdin, the Pantomime.

“The big one. When it comes to pantomime dames there is no more famous character than Widow Twankey and it is my privilege to be playing her this year. Roger Hall places us firmly in old Arabee (which is closer to Wellington than one might think) and lets us into the weird world of Twankey's laundry full of 'the noble classes’ dainties and the neighbours' old grundies.'

As anyone who knows me will attest, these are grounds on which I thrive. Having played Mother Hood last year, the challenge comes from making Widow Twankey a different person while still retaining the fuller figure elements that made Trelise Hood so appealing. Widow Twankey is a bit more worldly-wise in her machinations as she struggles to attain the upper middle class status she so richly deserves - and, of course, in her pursuit of a man!

This year's panto is packed full of Wellington's best (and some might say) biggest performers so the energy in the rehearsal room is frantic and hilarious. Audiences will get on a fast-paced carpet ride of song, dance and silliness filled with romance, magic and 'blimmen good-night-outness!'

The magic and characters are a huge hit with the kids and some of the best experiences we have during a panto are when the children are allowed to come up onstage. The shrieking adult laughter at the usual naughty jokes and subversive satire and the joy of the kids makes our large amount of sweat and energy more than worthwhile.

It's a great work out for us on the way to the summer months. It should be a Les Mills class!”

Roger Hall's Aladdin, the Pantomime

Aladdin, the Pantomime opens on 19 November and runs until 23 December, returning after Christmas for a short run in the New Year: 3-14 January. There will be a $25 Preview performance on Friday, 18 November and a $25 Special Matinee on Sunday, 20 November. To book, please call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz. 

Drowning in Veronica Lake: Come along and be transported back to the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood.

Playwright Phil Ormsby talks to drama on the waterfront about Veronica Lake, the writing process, and society's 'casual way of disposing of celebrities'.

DOTW: Please tell us a bit about Drowning in Veronica Lake. What is the story?

PO: The play is based on the life of film star Veronica Lake who enjoyed a short reign as a major celebrity in the early 1940’s before being dumped by Paramount and virtually disappearing overnight. For ten years she provided tabloids and movie magazines with gossip and scandal most of which was carefully managed for full effect by the studio’s publicity machine. After she left Hollywood (or was dumped depending on who you want to believe) her career rapidly declined but she never gave up believing she would come back.

Alex Ellis in Drowning Veronica Lake.

DOTW: What made you want to write a play about Veronica Lake?

PO: I liked the idea that hers is a story that repeats itself throughout the entertainment industry – a performer unprepared for sudden fame finds themselves isolated and ends up in self medication and denial. In the end the gossip and scandals overshadow the performer’s actual career. See Michael Jackson, Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Amy Winehouse…..

DOTW: What can you tell us about the writing process? What kind of research did you undertake?

PO: There is a ton of material online and the best thing about Veronica is for every story there seems to be a conflicting version. She published a biography in her later years rehashing some of the old magazine stories from her glory days with the benefit of hindsight and adding a bit of tell-all gossip. After her death her mother also published a biography which contradicted much of Veronica’s but with the passage of time neither is verifiable.

Alex and Simon (the Director) would workshop the script and give me their notes and I would rewrite as they went. Having a bit of distance from the process gave me a much better perspective; if I can find someone to actually write my next play for me I’ll be off the hook altogether!

Alex Ellis in Drowning Veronica Lake. 

DOTW: Have you written other plays? How does this one differ/compare?

PO: This is my fifth play and the first about a real character (insomuch as a celebrity can be ‘real’). It’s the first play where the story already existed and I just had to come up with a way of telling it that did it justice. It’s also the first play for which I haven’t been involved in the production process except as the writer. In the past I’ve been director, tech, designer, builder or actor but for Drowning in Veronica Lake I had the luxury of a brilliant team to do all these things and I just had to write. Fantastic!

DOTW: What can you tell us about performer Alex Ellis? What does she bring to the script/this character?

PO: Because Alex bears no actual resemblance to Lake it meant we could abandon any pretence of a faithful impersonation of her and Alex’s intimate connection with the audience makes the story much more personal than just another tale about a fallen star, she brings an emotional honesty to her performance which is very moving and for which I am hugely grateful.  

DOTW: Finally, what should Circa audiences know about Drowning in Veronica Lake?

PO: It will make you laugh, it will make you cry (or choke back a manly sniff) and hopefully it will make you think about the casual way we dispose of people we call celebrities. But most of all come along and be transported back to the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood.

Alex Ellis in Drowning Veronica Lake.

Drowning in Veronica Lake is on until 12 November in Circa Two. To book, please call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz. 

Sex Drive: Lots of thigh slapping

The lone male in a cast and crew of women, Tim Spite tells drama on the waterfront about the current Circa One production, Sex Drive, and shares what he would do if he won $10,000 in Lotto.

DOTW: What is the story of Sex Drive?

TS: Three women who work in a poultry packing plant win 10 grand and decide to pool their money to start a mobile sex toy shop in order to win themselves some autonomy over their paltry existence.

Tim Spite in Sex Drive. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: What can you tell us about the characters you play?

TS: I play the poultry factory owner, Gordy; a garish bully and a bit of a perve. I also play Lance, one of the women’s son, who is, by contrast, intelligent caring and a bit shy.

DOTW: How does it feel to be the only male in a cast with five women?

TS: Not to mention the Director, Stage Manager, Costume Designer and Lighting Operator being women too! Well, I have three sisters and two daughters. It feels perfectly normal.

I’ve never seen so much competitive baking at morning tea. I was well looked after!

Lyndee-Jane Rutherford and Tim Spite in Sex Drive. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: Given the subject matter/props, there must have been a lot of laughs in the rehearsal room; do you have any funny stories you could share?

TS: When the whole group tried on the vibrating butterflies was pretty funny.

DOTW: How have audiences reacted to the play so far?

TS: Lots of thigh slapping. I’m sure someone nearly died laughing on Saturday. They’d didn’t sound well at all.

Tim Spite in Sex Drive. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: Finally, what would YOU do with the money if you won $10,000 in Lotto?

TS: I’d build a secret sex dungeon in the back yard and kit it out with all the latest sex toys.

Sex Drive runs until 12 November. To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992.

Drowning in Veronica Lake

The sole performer in this captivating play, Alex Ellis answers some questions about what it is like to drown in Veronica Lake.

How did you get involved with the show? 

Phil (the playwright) was googling 1940's film director, Preston Sturges one night and stumbled upon (as you do on Google) an article about Veronica Lake, who had starred in one of Preston Sturges' movies. The article, about her body being smuggled across the USA/Canada border after she died and her ashes being found in a junk shop 40 years later, was so bizarre and far-fetched that it lead to another article and another and another...

There was so much scandal and rumour surrounding her life and although she was one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the 1940s she virtually disappeared unlike her contemporaries, like Rita Hayworth or Marlene Dietrich. She seemed like the Lindsay Lohan of the 1940s and such an unknown entity that we had to find out more. And once we knew more there seemed no doubt we had to write the play. And I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play such a Hollywood glamour girl – who would?!

Have you worked with any of the company on any other shows?

Phil Ormsby of course, Phil is the other half of Flaxworks and a playwright who has written all four of Flaxworks' productions. Nik Janiurek has also been our lighting designer for a couple of our previous shows – he is amazing! But I had never worked with Simon Coleman, the director, or Elizabeth Whiting or Sara Taylor before (our dress designer and creator). I would most definitely work with all of them again if I could. You know some things just come together like a well oiled machine to create magic and that's what happened here! Veronica Lake magic...

I guess I'd never worked with Veronica Lake before either, she's pretty amazing too but the drinking, the men, she could drink us all under the table...

And what about your role…any particular challenges?

So many Challenges! I am the solo performer which is always a slightly scary prospect, realising there’s only you out there with no safety net. And although I have performed a solo show before you can never escape the fear and the adrenaline rush of taking to the stage alone! Playing a real person was also a challenge. We made a conscious decision not to try and copy Veronica Lake exactly or turn the performance into a tribute show but I do feel a responsibility to portray my interpretation of her with some love – I don’t want to make her perfect but I do want to show her some respect.

There’s also the American accent…

and not being able to move from the spot for the entire show…

Ha! Challenge schmallenge, I love it all!

Alex Ellis as Veronica Lake.

What sort of audience reaction have you received so far?

Amazing, people have really loved the show. I think people have been impressed by all aspects of the production, (which is wonderful for everyone involved who put so much effort in to making the show!). Most of all I think people are surprised by it and by Veronica Lake. She was an amazing woman who lived a spectacular life that didn’t always go to plan. A true story, full of glamour, booze, the wrong men and money… what’s not to love?

What will be the strongest idea we will take away from the show?

Be careful what you wish for...

All that glitters is not gold...

Things are not always what they seem...

Apart from the cliches those basically are the themes for the show. It's the Hollywood curse of thinking someone has it all and then realising the truth is not always what you see and that the pressure can be too much.


Drowning in Veronica Lake opens in Circa Two on 1 November and runs until 12 November. To book your tickets, contact the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.