Catchy Songs, Bearded Women And Dancing Sheep
The Court Theatre’s Mid-Winter Readings series kicks off with THAT BLOODY WOMAN written by Gregory Cooper and composed
by Luke Di Somma. It is the first of three new New Zealand plays that will be presented as ‘works-in-progress’ over the
next three weeks.
THAT BLOODY WOMAN is an irreverent and raucous revisionist ride filled with catchy songs, bearded women and dancing
sheep. This exhilarating new rock-musical comedy about Kate Sheppard celebrates one woman’s battle against incredible
odds to secure women’s right to vote.
“We’re presenting the third draft of this play for the Mid-Winter Readings and it will not be the last” explain Di Somma
and Cooper in their writer’s note. “Over the last year and a half we have battled with the balance of history versus
drama. With every draft we’ve discovered power of using theatricality to bring history alive. If by the end of the show
Kate’s story is in the hearts of the audience, we will have achieved what we set out to do. If the audience is left
humming a tune or two, even better.”
Luke Di Somma is a composer, musical director and conductor based in Christchurch. He regularly works with the Court
Theatre (Don’t Mention Casablanca, Much Ado About Nothing, Amadeus), Showbiz Christchurch, the Christchurch Symphony
Orchestra and NZ Opera. Luke is also Artistic Director of the Christchurch Pops Choir (From Gershwin to Gaga) and Chief
Conductor of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra.
Gregory Cooper has been working in professional theatre for 20 years as an actor, writer (A Complete History of
Christchurch (Abridged) and Heroic Faun No. One) and director (Two Fish and a Scoop). He began his career as a member of
The Court Jesters and has represented New Zealand in improvised comedy festivals in London, Berlin, Montreal, Orlando,
Amsterdam, and the World Championships in Los Angeles where he was a member of the winning team. Gregory has worked with
The Court Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company, New Zealand Playhouse and Downstage Theatre.
THAT BLOODY WOMAN, directed by Melanie Camp with musical direction from Luke Di Somma and Jason Te Mete, will be
presented at 4pm on 26 May. Following the performance, audiences will be invited to provide feedback and engage in
discussion about the work. All tickets are $10. Bookings at www.courttheatre.org.nz or 03 963 0870.
THAT BLOODY WOMAN was developed with funding assistance from Creative New Zealand.