News

The old saying “If you’re onto a good thing, stick with it” may well have been followed by Shoreside Theatre as they prepare for another Agatha Christie murder mystery.

Towards Zero is the sixth enthralling mid-winter whodunit by this author to be presented in The PumpHouse Theatre of Takapuna. Five earlier productions written by Christie, one of the best selling authors of all time, have been enthusiastically  received. She is still the undisputed ‘Queen of Crime’ who sold more than four billion copies of her detective novels and short story collections.

In this years mid-winter offering , Lady Tresillian has invited guests, a motley collection of characters as you ever will find, to her home for a house-party but earlier events ensure a dramatic turn. Nothing is as it seems and suspense, uncertainty and red-herrings play out in the house on the edge of the perilous Cornish cliffs.  It’s all part of  a carefully laid plan for murder.  The so-called ‘Cornish Riviera’ is famous for many things – Jamaica Inn, the Beast of Bodmin, pirates and pasties – but perhaps it is best known for murder or Agatha Christie’s inspiration for it at least. It is also Poldark, Doc Martin and The Camomile Lawn  country.

Towards Zero is often thought to be one of Agatha Christie’s finest stories and is brought to life on stage by a stellar Shoreside Theatre cast that relishes in its annual portrayal of her eccentric and memorable characters. It’s the vivid depiction of Christie characters living in the shadow of an impending disaster which substantially contributes to such a high voltage story of rivalry passion and revenge.

Director, Carol Dumbleton as a young girl in the sixties knew Dame Agatha well   when she was a regular guest at her parents’  West Country hotel.  The Cornish setting of ‘Towards Zero” evokes nostalgic memories for Carol, being Cornish herself.  This rarely performed drama is set in the 1930s and Shoreside Theatre has endeavoured for over three years to gain approval from the Agatha Christie Trust to present it on stage in New Zealand.

26th July – 4th August. Book Tickets.

TORO PIKOPIKO PUPPETS present the world’s first Māori Rock-Art Puppet Production. Jeffrey Addison (Ngai Tahu) and Whaitaima Te Whare (Ngati Tuwharetoa) are a dynamic performance duo with 22 years’ experience creating television programs for children and touring live puppet shows. THE FLIGHT- TE RERENGA will be their most stunning, interactive and fun show they have ever made.

THE FLIGHT – TE RERENGA is an acoustic rock musical, featuring 100 fabulous ‘Flatso’ puppets inspired from ancient cave drawings made on Limestone cliffs and caves around the Timaru district. The show re-tells a Ngai Tahu legend about Pourangahua the Birdman and his epic flight to Aotearoa in search of his own kind. The Birdman flies from cave to cave, meeting a host of colourful characters including Bats, Creepy Crawlies, Moa, Pouakai Eagles, Human Bird Hunters and their Dogs – intent on making Pourangahua their next meal.THE FLIGHT – TE RERENGA is a forty-five-minute show, with 8 catchy original songs written especially for years 1 – 8 primary school children. This engaging production takes its audience back in time hundreds of years where they help animate a multitude of rock art puppets who meet up with the Birdman, while she is searching for her whanau. Children both watch and learn about our cultural heritage by taking part in this historic awakening of prehistoric rock art figures that have previously been fixed images on cliff walls and cave ceilings.

With research and development funding from Creative NZ, THE FLIGHT – TE RERENGA is a result of a collaboration with the staff of Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru. Their aim is to increase the appreciation and awareness of indigenous Rock Art among the nation’s children, so that they may value and help protect these vulnerable national treasures in the future.

Book your tickets here!
Tues – Thus, 4 – 6 Dec.
The PumpHouse Theatre.

Today we said a sad farewell to our furry friend Tiger, the PumpHouse Cat.

Tiger had not been well lately, and tests at the vet revealed an inoperable tumour in his stomach.

Tiger joined The PumpHouse team in 2011. Shy and timid, he was discovered by caretaker Mike Murphy sleeping in the shrubs.

After two years of careful care and attention Tiger and Mike became firm friends and would often be found keeping each other company while Mike looked after the theatre, singing along to opera together at the tops of their voices.

Tiger also enjoyed making the odd appearance on stage, his loud meow breaking the tension of many dramatic scenes during Shakespeare in the Park.

Tiger was fed and cared for by The PumpHouse Theatre staff, and in return he helped keep the theatre free from mice and rats and kept an eye on things during performances.

Mike was Tiger’s best human friend, but he also took a shine to Gill and then later Stephen during his time at The PumpHouse.

We’ll remember Tiger for his loud yowls for attention and the moments he let his guard down and allowed a friendly pat before running off to go about his busy theatre business.

Three quirky tales by much-loved children’s writer Margaret Mahy come to life on stage in Auckland for the July school holidays.

Auckland’s leading children’s theatre company, Tim Bray Productions presents The Great White Man-Eating Shark and Other Stories here at the PumpHouse Theatre, from Saturday 30th June to Saturday 21st July.

Adapted for the stage by Tim Bray with music by Takapuna composer Marshall Smith, this is the first time these three stories have been staged by the company and director Tim Bray says he is excited to bring this trio of tales to life.

“Along with many of New Zealand’s children, I’ve had a lifelong love of Margaret Mahy’s stories and we’ve adapted a number for the stage. Margaret Mahy stories have something very special about them with quirky characters who appeal to children’s imaginations.”

The title story, The Great White Man-Eating Shark tells the story of Norvin, a boy who loves swimming in the bay but wishes he could swim as fast as he can without other swimmers getting in his way. He finds a novel way to have the water all to himself. But is he alone?

Also featuring in the production is The Boy with Two Shadows: having your own shadow is one thing, but when you agree to look after a witch’s one then the troubles begin, along with Mahy’s The Boy who was Followed Home: ever been followed home by a hippo, or two? Imagine what Mum says when she finds them in your front garden!

A cast of four play 15 characters across the three stories with Dylan Underwood as Norvin and in the Boy roles. Erica Kröger, Kat Glass and Calum Hughes share the remaining characters with music performed live by Oliver Huang-Hsu.

“This is a tricky trio of stories to stage in one show,” Tim says. “And set designer Rachael Walker, costume designer Vicki Slow and lighting designer Steve Marshall are coming up with clever solutions to overcome the challenges.”

Children are encouraged to dress up as a character from the show for the onstage Costume Parade at the gala and every school holiday season performance.

From Saturday 30 June at 5pm and running until Saturday 21 July. Book your tickets here.

If Brenda were a bottle of wine, she’d be on the top shelf.

We like to think of her as The PumpHouse Detective; her super investigative skills mean you’re never safe when the petty cash doesn’t add up.

She’s been to all four corners of the globe and still hasn’t found the cure for the travel bug. Whilst broadening her horizons, she’s also being Superwoman, approving our bank transfers from wherever she is.

Brenda may talk about accounts a lot in her interview, but she is a real supporter of the variety of events at The PumpHouse. When she takes the cape off, you can often find her sitting in amongst the audience, just a regular Clark Kent.

Brenda is what all true legends are made of. Thank you for all your hard work, and the immeasurable contribution you make to The PumpHouse.

Tell us five random facts about yourself

I was born in the Falkland Islands and came to NZ when I was 13 years old.

My career has been in tax mostly, as an investigator for the IRD.

I have four wonderful cricket/soccer obsessed grandsons.

I volunteer in a Hospice shop weekly, at a St Vincent de Paul shop monthly, and occasionally drive for Age Concern.

I love to travel!

How did you come to volunteer at The PumpHouse Theatre?

Several years ago, I was approached by Genevieve Becroft. The Trust needed a treasurer – and that was that!

What roles and tasks do you do at The PumpHouse?

Well, I’m definitely kept busy:

1. Treasurer of the Trust Board
2. Help with monthly accounts
3. Prepare the annual Trust accounts for the auditor and present them at the AGM
4. Box office/ Ushering

Have you studied anything that helped you in the role?

I was a chartered accountant in my working life so am experienced in putting accounts together.

When did you start getting involved in the performing arts?

Through my involvement with the PumpHouse. I have no artistic talent whatsoever and stand in awe of those who can remember their lines and perform on stage!

What do you like about volunteering here?

The PumpHouse is a great venue, the building is historic and beautiful and the Genevieve Becroft Auditorium is an intimate space with good views from every seat. The staff are all very efficient and friendly so it is a pleasure to be there.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in your job recently

Ushering in the school children who came to see Rangi and Papa and to experience their excitement and enjoyment of the show.

What do you do behind the scenes that people don’t know?

Only the accounts.*

What’s your all-time favourite show?

I really enjoyed Les Miserable and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.  My recent favourite is the Tadpole production of The Book Club.

*BRENDA PLEASE.

What’s That?

It’s a devil of a play called Morningstar, set a year after Eden was first created, when Lucifer returns to Heaven — and the likes of angels Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Lucifer — to find his family fractured.

Two of their numbers, Archangel’s Michael the Protector and Lucifer the Light Bearer, are battling to divide heaven leading to a conflict so great that the birth of hell results. It sounds like dramatic stuff but Strang, a family lawyer, says it’s actually a sadly recognisable scenario especially to anyone in his line of work.

“Dad’s gone off and started a second family; now he’s come back to his first family but, in his absence, things have changed and there’s conflict.”

Dionne Christian, NZ Herald.

Who?

Sapphire Productions is back for another action-packed production set to outshine their last season of ‘Nigel’, (Kate McDermott).

The founder of Sapphire Productions is none other than Blair Strang (Shortland Street, Nothing Trivial), pairing up with old onscreen flame Romy Hooper (Nothing Trivial, Pop up Globe). Better known for there onscreen ‘partnership’ in Nothing Trivial as Brian and Courtney for three seasons it saw the pair give birth to baby Sonny Bill and now sees them giving birth to something quite different.

Knowing that they had a good working relationship has seen them treading the boards together several times over the past few years and spurred Blair into business mode creating Sapphire Productions. Now Romy steps into the directors chair as Blair stars in and produces the play by their mutual friend Albert Belz.  

The Cast Also Includes

Jacqui Nauman (Auckland Daze, Nothing Trivial), Richie Grzyb (Under the Mountain, Niusila), Stephen Brunton (Yours Truly, Nigel), Marwin Silerio (Nigel, Niusila).

The Narrative

Set against the backdrop of Heaven and Eden after its first year of creation, we meet one of the most famous family’s in history as they reunite, only to realise that they’ve all changed in their own way posing new challenges behind the pearly gates.

At the most tested time of their devotion, and their father nowhere to be seen the two elder brothers divide the host of Heaven with a conflict so great we see the birth of Hell.

The situation is only heightened by the fact that the two elder brothers are Archangel’s Michael the Protector and Lucifer the Light Bearer.

Father has to be found, ‘come Hell or high water’ and Lucifer plans to find him. Buckle in for an incredible night out as the war in Heaven has just begun…

Jun 7th – 16th. The PumpHouse Theatre.
Book Tickets or Call (09) 486 2386.

Have you met Julia?

Julia is our truest bibliophile; our human spell-checker and source of truth and reason. She has a particular affinity for the written word, having immersed herself in readings of English, History and Drama and has an eagle eye for grammar mistakes.

Aside from her impressive literary skills, when Julia is not in the office, you can find her dancing in the dark (quite literally), having a singalong with the guitar and being an all-round resident drama geek. She has a passion for all things creative and puts culture at the heart of her community role here at The PumpHouse.

And I’m sure you were a really great tree in your performance of Snow White, Julia.

Tell us five random facts about yourself

Strictly speaking, I’m a Northumbrian but it’s easier just to tell people I’m from Newcastle upon Tyne. Either way, I’m a Geordie.

I’ve visited 28 different countries and have lived in four of them: UK, NZ, Germany & Japan.

I have been sent to the head teacher for being ‘naughty’ at every school I have ever been to, both as a pupil and a teacher!

I got married in a theatre.

Many years ago I got caught up in a police investigation into an armed robbery. It’s a long story. I didn’t do it – that’s all you need to know.

How did you come to work at The Pumphouse Theatre?

After responding to a PumpHouse Facebook post I started working as a casual box office staff member. Later I took on a part-time administration role and then picked up the Community Engagement Co-ordinator role sometime after that.

What did you study and has it helped you in the role?

I have a BA(Hons) in English Literature & History and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – English & Drama. I also have a Postgrad Diploma in TESOL. These qualifications led me to a career in education and over the years I’ve worked with students aged from 3 to 60+. My experience, working with such a wide range of people, is good background for Community Engagement and it’s particularly useful when working with the local schools.

When did you start getting involved in the performing arts?

At primary school. I was a tree in a performance of Snow White. My mum made my costume out of a net curtain and green crepe paper and I was embarrassed because the other tree, Donna Potts, had a beautiful tree dress made from brown & green velvet.

After that I was involved in numerous school shows and became a member of Newcastle Youth Theatre.

What do you like about working here?

“Cosy character building nestled in a park setting with stunning lake views.”
What’s not to like?!

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in your job recently

Organising, and being part of, the mihi whakatau to welcome Rob Mokaraka & Clint Edmonds to The PumpHouse for their production of ‘Shot Bro’.

What time do you wake up in the mornings?

Around 7:00am. I like to go for a walk before work, either at home in ‘Birkendale Haven’, in Takapuna along the beach, or if I’m feeling particularly energetic I walk from home to work.

What do you do behind the scenes that people don’t know?

As well as being the Community Engagement Co-ordinator I’m also the theatre’s office administrator so I do things like taking meeting minutes, ordering office supplies (from companies that offer things similar to these office supplies UK) and paying bills. Fortunately our wonderful treasurer Brenda does all the complicated accounting stuff!

What do you get up to after hours?

Now that both my daughters have disappeared off to university I’ve got a bit more me time which I like to spend walking, singing & dancing. I sing with our fabulous PumpHouse Community Choir and I’m also their guitar accompanist from time to time. I get my dancing fix once a week at ‘Dancing in the Dark Birkdale’. It is what it says on the packet: You dance, in the dark, in Birkdale.

What do you get up to on your lunch breaks?

What lunch breaks?!

What’s your all-time favourite show?

I don’t have one, sorry. I do have a favourite theatre genre though and that is the much-maligned, good old fashioned, British pantomime. Whether it’s a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs in a community hall or a highly-polished, big budget professional job, I just love it! Love the tradition & history; love the costumes, the music, the comedy; love how they operate on different levels for adults & kids.
Can we have one at The PumpHouse please?!

It’s New Zealand Music Month and this year’s focus is “Discovering New Music”. Here at The PumpHouse we are offering a unique and rare opportunity to see the Handpan played live professionally.

World renowned, Australian based drummer and percussionist Adrian J. Portia is bringing his stunning Handpan music to New Zealand for the first time.

What is a Handpan?
Based on the “Hang Drum”, the handpan is a steel hand drum that has a distinct UFO shape. The angelic and powerful sounds this instrument makes are truly out of this world and Adrian know full well how to deliver these sounds to his audience.

Adrian’s Journey

The first time Adrian J Portia laid eyes on a hang/handpan was in an online video in 2008. He fell in love with it immediately. The instrument was less than a decade old then. It was a bit like an inverted steel pan, except instead of mallets it was played with a person’s bare hands.

Unfortunately for Adrian, a professional drummer and percussionist who grew up outside Melbourne, Australia, getting one would take more than his check book. The handpan –– or as it was called at the time, the hang –– was made from steel and hand-tuned with a hammer. Creating one was an intricate, time-consuming process, and the chances of owning one himself were slim. The only way was to write a handwritten letter to the Swiss couple, who were then the only makers of the instrument. If they accepted you would fly over to Switzerland, pay for it and come home.

Finally in 2013 Adrian managed to purchase a handpan from a new maker based in California.

Over the last few years, he has become internationally renowned for his versatility, speed, control and command over the instrument. With his unique percussive style, performing grooves and melodies at the same time, he has helped pave a new approach and style for the future players of the instrument. Each of his videos shows a close-up on the instrument, with his hands skipping across the surface like pebbles on water.

Adrian released his debut album Life In Colour in August 2015, which was widely received for its diversity, bringing the instrument into a mix of genres, displaying the possibilities of the instrument in different musical settings.

“We’re making the history of this instrument right now,” says Adrian. “It’s quite a magical instrument.”

Adrian will be performing at The PumpHouse Theatre on Mon 21st May at 7:30pm. Book Tickets.

Roger Hall’s off beat romantic comedy at The PumpHouse Theatre (May 9th-20th)

Tadpole Productions are producing Roger Hall’s off beat romantic comedy The Book Club, which opens at The Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna on 9^th May for a strictly limited season.  Starring one woman dynamo Jodie Dorday and directed by Janice Finn, this popular play was originally written in 1999 and successfully toured New Zealand and Australia. Roger has updated the script for 2018 audiences, especially for this production, which has also meant changing most of the books (and the reactions!) mentioned in the play!

The Book Club is narrated by self-confessed book-a-holic Deborah, who looks for a diversion when the last of her children leaves home and her husband is busy with work and his latest hobby, cycling.   Deb’s friend Trish invites her to join her book club, so, armed with a bottle of wine Deb takes the plunge.  The women are a diverse bunch – Milly (English to the core), Meredith (Academic snob), Caroline (heavily pregnant high profile journalist) and divorcee Susie.

The monthly meeting becomes a regular occurrence, but when Deb suggests inviting a local author to come and give a talk about their latest book the outcome is totally unexpected, complicating Deb’s life in ways she never dreamt of and creating the essence of the play….

Roger is the master of writing comedy with pathos and delivering likeable but flawed characters we all recognise.  Jodie Dorday brings them all to life in a tour de force performance not to be missed. Jodie only recently returned to her hometown with the opportunity to play Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliott 2016 – an extraordinary experience – and is now thrilled to be pursuing a dream of performing in this play at one of her favourite feel good performance spaces, the PumpHouse.

Jodie debuted her theatre career with Auckland Theatre Company’s Dancing At Lughnasa in 1995 and the stage is still very much her happy place.  She has also been lucky enough to have been involved with Take a Chance on Me, All My Sons, Sylvia, Social Climbers and Midsummer Nights Dream. She played in Sydney Theatre Company’s King Lear and picked up the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Lynn in Anthony McCarten’s Film Via Satellite.

She has continued to work on screen with the lead role in Burying Brian and has recently very much enjoyed playing Trish (Cheryl Wests Mum) in Westside, airing in May.  In between there was a business to run in Melbourne, husband Troy and a beautiful little boy…..

Jodie trained in dance and worked alongside her Mum Debbie at Auckland’s famous ‘Burgundys’ for a good many years and she is very much enjoying living and working back in NZ with family and friends. “I feel very blessed to be home in such a safe part of the world and also to be able to continue my acting career here.  Every moment on stage is special for me – not without tears and sweat at times but I’m always extremely grateful”. In her spare time Jodie works with teens, sharing her acting insights and teaching them how to shine a little. She loves their energy and the thought of being able to guide them a little through their tumultuous teenage years.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Jodie Dorday in The Book Club!!!! Buy Tickets.