5 March, 2015
ALL BOUND FOR MUMULAND...AGAIN
Watch out for The Lolly Witch!
Auckland Theatre Company is taking audiences, young and old, back to the wacky world of Mumuland in the April and July
school holidays.
The talented writer of 2014's hugely popular Polly Hood in Mumuland, Lauren Jackson and co-writer Lolo Fonua have dreamed up another raucous adventure in the madcap wonderland. However,
while Polly Hood was based on the Little Red Riding Hood story, The Lolly Witch of Mumuland takes its inspiration fromHansel and Gretel.
Co-directed by Polly Hood's Alison Quigan and Troy Tu'ua, The Lolly Witch of Mumuland will have two seasons; the first at Mangere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku from 11 - 18 April and the second at Selwyn
College Theatre from 9-14 July.
Twenty-first-century kids Hans and Gertie, hungry for food and adventure, go on a journey to save their family from the
breadline, but unfortunately end up in the clutches of a wicked, Zumba-dancing witch! With a little help from talking
pigs, magical fairies and racing snails, and the always fabulous and ever-hilarious Aunty Sila, can Hans and Gertie sing
and dance their way out of trouble, or will they end up as the Lolly Witch's next sweet treat?
Starring Faamanu Vaueli (Sinarella, Mixed Nuts) and Lavinia 'Uhila (The Factory) in the lead roles - Hans and Gertie - and the hilarious Kate-Louise Elliot (Calendar Girls) as the infamous witch, The Lolly Witch of Mumuland is a new New Zealand work that, like Polly Hood, is set to become a classic Pasifika comedy for kids and adults alike.
The supporting cast will form somewhat of a reunion from last year's Polly Hood in Mumuland, as alumni from The Pacific Institute of Performing Arts take the stage. Other cast members include Samson Chan-Boon as
Dad (Polly Hood in Mumuland, Goodbye My Feleni), Unaloto Funaki as Aunty Sila (Polly Hood in Mumuland), Tavai Faasavalu as Poaka Piggy (Polly Hood in Mumuland, The Factory, Tartuffe), and Luse su'a as Prudence Piggy (Polly Hood in Mumuland,Homes). Music will be performed by Joseph Taouma.
With a chorus of 25, including children aged 10-15, consisting largely of young South Auckland talent, The Lolly Witch of Mumuland promises to deliver one of the zaniest journeys across Auckland. With a little bit of help from younger patrons, and a
lot of imagination, audiences will be transported away from the mundane to a magical world.
For more information or to order a copy of Auckland Theatre Company's 2015 season brochure, please visit www.atc.co.nz.
ENDS
SEASON INFORMATION
Dates: Mangere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku 11 - 18 April; Selwyn College Theatre 9-14 July
Tickets: www.atc.co.nz or (09) 309 0390
CAST
Gertie: Lavinia 'Uhila
Hans: Faamanu Vaueli
Lolly Witch: Kate-Louise Elliot
Aunty Sila: Unaloto Funaki
Dad: Samson Chan-Boon
Poaka Piggy: Tavai Faasavalu
Prudence Piggy: Luse Su'a
Musician: Joseph Taouma
CREATIVE TEAM
Co-directors: Alison Quigan and Troy Tu'ua
Set Design: Rachael Walker
Costume Design: Sara Burren
Lighting Design: Andrew Potvin