INDEPENDENT NEWS

Youth Theatre Present sTwo Very Different Plays

Published: Wed 4 Mar 2009 05:17 PM
Youth Theatre Present sTwo Very Different Plays
Northland Youth Theatre present their Short Play Season 2009. Two very different short plays will be performed by senior students aged 14 – 18 years of age, under the direction of Jarrod Martin & Laurel Devenie.
These plays will give the young cast an opportunity to express their wild & wacky side, whilst exploring complex characters from classical periods to those who ‘live’ in the modern day.
‘The Party’ by Polish writer Slawomir Mrozek
and
‘Love Babe’ by NZ writer Christina Stachurski.
‘The Party’ is an absurdist’s piece, which sees three people in search of a good time. They turn up for a party but no one's there. As they wait for the excitement to arrive they wonder what they’ve got themselves in for. Was it really a party they were coming to? And what is in the cupboard? Where is all the music? And why are they dressed in black? Desperate for some kind of sensation, they will go to any length to find it - even death!
‘Laurel feels this play will really give the young actors a chance to shine. Two of the cast members are also students of the Whangarei Community Circus & Laurel has plans to utilise their special performance skills. The style of this play departs from many of the associated theatrical conventions & will take the audience into a dream-like, or even nightmare state – but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all doom & gloom – Absurdist Theatre is renowned for it’s comedic moments too!’ says production manager Alex Hannam
Ms Hannam continues ‘The three actresses of this play have taken ‘the bull by the horns’ for this piece. Absurdist Theatre is often demanding of its actors – the unusual nature of the script & physicality of the characters are often a challenge to grasp, even for the more experienced thespian! The girls, (who are all under the age of 16), have really earned a sense of ownership for ‘The Party’ & they can’t wait to perform to a live audience’.
Jarrod’s chosen piece, ‘Love, Babe’ is set in a contemporary café, late at night. Cassie & Nick get into an argument about love & beam in extracts from the stories & lives of famous lovers. Cassie & Kate; (the waitress); get so frustrated with Nick’s point of view that they cut, paste & re-write the tragic stories with all the scenarios being played out on stage. ‘I think everyone at one time or another has been frustrated with how a famous love story ends & this play gives you a real sense of satisfaction, by getting to see a happy ending or two!’ Says Ms Hannam
The 10 strong cast are excited to take on the dramatic characters in this play which hopes to take the audience on a whirlwind journey with famous fictional lovers of the past – such as Romeo & Juliet & Wuthering Height’s Catherine & Heathcliff.
Director, Laurel Devenie recently gained a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Toi Whakaari (NZ Drama School) & was nominated for the 2007 Chapman Trip award for best newcomer for the theatre production of 'The Graduate'. Laurel is working around the country for various companies, luckily including NYT!
Jarrod currently teaches drama at Dargaville High School & has years of experience in improvised, television & film. Roles include parts on Mercy Peak & Orange Roughies. Most recently, Jarrod played Capulet in Bogwood production’s Romeo & Juliet. This is his second show for NYT.
24th – 29th March at The Old Library (Arts Promotion Trust)
8pm & 2pm (Matinee Saturday only)
Tickets available through APT ph: 430 6432 (Adults $16 & School age $12)
R13 – Adult themes
ends

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