Centrepoint Theatre announces 2017 season

30 November 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Centrepoint Theatre announces 2017 season

It’s the end of an era, and the start of something new, at Centrepoint Theatre as we announce the final season programme from Jeff Kingsford-Brown, who leaves us after five years as artistic director.

“Live theatre is important,” says Kingsford-Brown. “It is one of the places where we come together as a community, to tell our stories, hear other people’s stories and, most importantly, reflect on the things that connect us all as human beings. It has been an absolute privilege to be at the helm of this terrific little theatre for the last five years.”

First up in March is School Dance, a story of three teenage boys - Matt, Luke and Jonathon. They’re going to a school dance. They’re on a mission. But they are losers. Fuelled by a diet of raging hormones and instant noodles, the trio sets off on a strange and fantastical journey to escape the school bully, impress the girl, and save the world!

Inspired by old-school cartoons and John Hughes films, School Dance is a deliciously dorky theatrical extravaganza for the freaks, the geeks, and anyone who’s ever felt different. Featuring BMX heroics, Smurfs and 80's anthems, it’s all about being brave, facing your own self-loathing, and coming out on top.

School Dance is written by Australian playwright Matthew Whittet, stars Go Girls’ Bronwyn Turei and Foxton boy Kyle Chuen, and is directed by Darlene Mohekey, a Horowhenua native recently seen at Centrepoint in Shop ’til You Drop and Well Hung.

Tikapa Productions, producers of 2013’s Manawa, will visit us in June with the critically-acclaimed Not in Our Neighbourhood, which won the Wellington Theatre Award for 2015’s ‘Best New New Zealand Play’.

Maisey Mata, a filmmaker, has been invited by the Women’s Refuge to follow some of their clients in a bid to raise awareness about domestic violence. There, she encounters Sasha, Cat and Teresa - three individuals with very different backgrounds living together in “The Safehouse,” each seeking solace and trying to rebuild their lives.

Actor Kali Kopae presents her award-winning performance as both Maisey and the three very different women. Prepare yourself for a powerful night of theatre as Jamie McCaskill’s refreshingly honest play takes a close look behind the mask of domestic violence - the despair, the misguided loyalties, the pain and the hope.

Open Stage is back for its third year following successful seasons of Frankenstein and The Events, where we present a show in collaboration with the Manawatu community. This winter, another favourite novel is brought to life with a gender-mixed version of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, directed by Jeff Kingsford-Brown.

A plane crashes on a deserted island. The only survivors are a group of schoolkids. By day, it’s a tropical paradise of sun and sea; but each night, their dreams are haunted by a terrifying beast. Thrust into a teenage version of Survivor, before long this well-behaved group turns into a bloodthirsty and murderous tribe.

Led by a dynamic and fearless cast of professional young actors including Toi Whakaari graduate and Horowhenua-born Michiel van Echten, and supported by members of the Manawatu community, this acclaimed adaptation is guaranteed to grip from start to finish.

Right in time for the 2017 general election, Centrepoint presents a brilliant new comedy all about the housing crisis, Radiant Vermin, directed by Benjamin Henson and featuring Centrepoint Theatre’s associate director Nathan Mudge (Stockcars: The Musical).

Meet Ollie and Jill. They'd like to tell you about their dream home. Some of the things they did to get it are not exactly ... nice. In fact they're horrible. Some might even say shocking. But once they've explained why they did, what they did, then you'll understand. Because everything they did, they did it all for their baby.

This hilarious and outrageous new comedy from the internationally acclaimed ‘master of modern myth’ Philip Ridley won rave reviews in London and New York. Playful, provocative and viciously sharp, Radiant Vermin is a contemporary fairy tale exploring materialistic greed and how far some will go to satisfy it.

Another new Kiwi Christmas comedy is on its way to close out the year. Ropable, written by Palmy favourite Ross Gumbley (The 39 Steps) and Allison Horsley, stars What We Do in the Shadows’ Yvette Parsons.

Constance and Prudence are ladies of leisure who have come to the Hitchcock-themed Macguffin Hotel for a weekend wedding. But what’s meant to be a romantic and joyous occasion, quickly descends into chaos as the helpless pair find themselves embroiled in a case of dangerous lies, suspicion and murder!

This one will have you dying from laughter! Check your rear window for psychos as Ropable takes you north by northwest to dial M for murder so fast you’ll get vertigo…

“These are exciting times for Centrepoint Theatre, with lots of changes in the wind, both in our programming and the way we reach out to our audiences,” Kingsford-Brown enthuses. “I wish the theatre, board and staff all the best for 2017 and beyond.”

Single tickets, season passes and gift tickets are on sale now. For more information and bookings, call 06 354 5740 or visit centrepoint.co.nz.

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Centrepoint Theatre 2017 Season

School Dance
by Matthew Whittet, 18 March - 29 April

Not in Our Neighbourhood
by Jamie McCaskill, 10 - 24 June
Presented in association with Tikapa Productions

Lord of the Flies
by Nigel Williams, after William Golding, 15 July - 5 August

Radiant Vermin
by Philip Ridley, 9 September - 7 October

Ropable
by Ross Gumbley & Allison Horsley, 4 November - 16 December

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