Mum's Choir

Mum's Choir

By Alison Quigan
Directed By Catherine Downes
Musical Direction By Laughton Pattrick

25 March - 29 April
Mon/Tues 6.30pm, Wed-Sat 8.00pm
Book at Downstage Theatre on 04 801 6946
or online at www.downstage.co.nz

Downstage Theatre invites you to a beautiful celebration of life, laughter, music and love.

Mum’s Choir is a musical comedy that will have you laughing, weeping, identifying and singing along with the boisterous O’Reilly clan as they celebrate the life of their beloved matriarch who has passed away. She leaves her five grown children with the daunting task of her dying wish – that they all to pull together to sing Faure’s Requiem at her funeral.

Amidst sibling rivalry, Yorkshire pudding catastrophes, reminiscing with classic hit songs, clearing out the liquor cabinet and dealing with Aunty Nola, will the family manage to pull themselves together in only three days to see their mother's last wish fulfilled?

“This is everyone’s story” says director Catherine Downes. “During its seven week season at the Court Theatre (Christchurch) there was a real sense by the end of every show that this ‘Mum’s Choir experience’ was no longer a mere play – it was an intimate event we now all shared.”

Downes has assembled a stellar cast for her debut as Downstage Theatre’s Director. Dame Kate Harcourt (Wednesday to Come), Heather Bolton (Boston Marriage), Jeff Kingsford-Brown (The Real Thing), Jamie McCaskill (King and Country), Carmel McGlone (Top Girls), David McKenzie (Albert Speer) and Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (In Flame).

Mum’s Choir is Alison Quigan’s 10th play and it’s fast on its way to becoming a new New Zealand classic. Written by Quigan after the death of her own Mother the play was inspired after a group of her mother’s friends offered to sing at the funeral. “We were humbled by the many lives she had touched and now to witness their loss. We miss her of course, but actually her influence is still very strong with us and we hold her near. I am honoured to share it with you.”

"Funny and moving, true to life yet immensely theatrical ... a musical trip that takes you to the heart of your own personal experience of love and loss."
- The Press, Christchurch 2005

Running Time
2 hours 10 minutes [incl. interval]
Other Performance Times
$20 Public Preview Friday 24 March
Post Show Talkback Monday 27 March
Saturday 29 April 2.00pm
No Show: Good Friday 14 April, Easter Monday 17 April, or Anzac Day Tuesday 25 April

Featuring
Heather Bolton
Dame Kate Harcourt
Jeff Kingsford-Brown
Jamie McCaskill
Carmel McGlone
David McKenzie
Lyndee-Jane Rutherford

ENDS

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