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AGM

It’s that time of year again folks! Our Annual General Meeting is just around the corner and it’s your chance to have an input into the future of our beloved society.

If you come along to our AGM not only will you nab yourself some chocolate biscuits, but you’ll also get a sneaky look at our renovations, hear our great President Stella McCallum report on the previous year, and help us elect our officers and committee! In fact, if you’re passionate about theatre we encourage you to think about standing to become a member of our committee and helping us with all the behind the scenes things that make our society tick.

THE DETAILS: The 2021 Annual General Meeting of New Plymouth Little Theatre Society Inc. will be held at New Plymouth Little Theatre, 29 Aubrey Street, New Plymouth on Wednesday March 24th at 7.30pm.

Agenda:
Apologies
Minutes of 2020 AGM
Matters Arising From Previous Minutes
Correspondence In
Correspondence Out
Presidents Report
Financial Report
Honoraria Payments
Election of Officers & Committee
Patron
Nomination of Accountant & Solicitor
Nomination of Bank Signatories
Membership Subscription Rates
General Business

General Business to be discussed:
Update on the progress of the Repair and refurbish of NPLT after getting Lottery Grant
Covid Levels and the repercussions for our shows.
Any other business

Nominations for committee members moved and seconded can be sent to secretary@littletheatre.co.nz

Playing a dog in Sylvia is the ultimutt challenge

Actress Frankie Roberts is about to hit the stage as a cuddly dog in Little Theatre latest show. We caught up with her to find out what she thinks about dog food, treats, and walks on the Coastal Walkway.

Hey Frankie! Thank you so much for chatting with us. You’re about to take to the stage at Little Theatre, and you’re playing a dog right? What’s that like?
It’s such a fun role to play! It’s great, because I get to play a humanised version of a dog. It has been really challenging to not fall into the trap of being too dog-like. So, it’s been a lot of fun exploring how best to make Sylvia a relatable and real character, with some dog-like mannerisms.

What kind of dog is Sylvia?
Sylvia is one tough cookie. Having lived on the streets of New York, she’s had to be sassy, determined and most definitely cheeky in order to survive. But she is also incredibly loving, and just wants to be friends with everyone and show her affection. She’s a complex character, who can also provide some wise insights. She’s always down for a tummy scratch, and adores her new owner, Greg, who rescued her off from the streets. We’ve worked out that she’s a labradoodle of sorts.

So, in terms of character development, what are you doing to become Sylvia the dog?
Well, I spent some time at Nicci’s dog parlour, shadowing a couple of labradoodles there to mimic their mannerisms. They’re all so unique, so I’ve taken bits and pieces from each and created Sylvia from it. I also find myself looking at dogs ALL the time now. A walk on The Coastal Walkway is never the same, and I often find myself staring at dogs and watching how they interact with other dogs and other people too.

*Chris Watson, Frankie Roberts and Rebecca Williamson*

Have you ever eaten dog biscuits? Verdict?
I have actually! When I was little, I lost a bet, and had to eat some dog food. It tastes as bad as it smells…

Dogs absolutely love their humans. Who is your favourite human?
Definitely my partner Craig. He’s been incredibly supportive with everything that I do, and he’s just a constant source of light and strength for me. Plus he brings me treats all the time!

Favourite treat?
Just one?! This is a tough one, but I would have to Walkers’s Brazil Nut Toffee.

We hear you’ve always had a bit of a love affair with theatre. Tell us more.
Well, my love for theatre started in school. I was always a bit of a tomboy, and I got forced to audition for the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I ended up getting the role of the narrator and was fortunate enough to have an incredible drama teacher, Mrs Dickson, who really nurtured my passion for theatre.

After school, I wanted to pursue a career in theatre, so I enrolled at the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, South Africa, where I studied for two years. I loved it, and it was an incredible experience, and it was such a privilege to be surrounded by such talent. However, I decided that I wanted to rather get a formal degree, so I went and studied further for a marketing degree. I took a break from acting, about seven years or so, and decided to try my hand at it again when we moved to New Plymouth.

Theatre has always been one of my strongest passions, and I knew I would return to it when the time was right. Being on stage is such a thrilling and challenging experience, and the adrenaline rush is unlike anything else. And I love seeing genuine delight on the faces of the audience.

What’s your favourite thing about living in Taranaki?
I grew up In Cape Town, South Africa, in a small town called Melkbosstrand. We moved here in March 2020, right before the lockdown. We actually came to New Zealand on a holiday in October 2019, and just fell in love with the country. My partner was offered a job here in New Plymouth as a pilot at the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, and we instantly fell in love with the relaxed atmosphere of New Plymouth. My favourite thing would have to be the beaches, as I love to swim and surf in the sea when I get a chance!

Why should people come and see Sylvia?
It’s a hilarious, delightful comedy that shows the bond between a dog and its owner, and the effect it has on his marriage. On a deeper level, Sylvia is the glue that brings Kate and Greg back together. Her antics encourage Kate and Greg to communicate, helping to breathe new life into a stifled marriage.

Do you like the postman?
I do! Everybody! My aim in life is to please!

THE DETAILS
Sylvia, by A R Gurney and directed by Nicci Smith, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from March 31 to April 10, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from iTicket.

Interview with Taryn Raynes, photos by Adele Smith

You’d be barking mad to miss Little Theatre’s latest play

A Taranaki actor’s stage career has gone to the dogs – wagging tails and all.

This month 28-year-old Frankie Roberts will put her professional theatre training to the test when she treads the boards as a stray dog in Little Theatre’s latest show, Sylvia.

“It’s such a fun role to play,” she says.

“Sylvia is one tough cookie. Having lived on the streets she’s had to be sassy, determined and most definitely cheeky in order to survive. But she’s also incredibly loving and just wants to be friends with everyone.”

Although Roberts will be behaving like an animal on stage, she won’t be dressed as a dog. In fact, the audience simply sees a man bring home a friendly stray woman from the park, fleas and all.

“It’s great, because I get to play a humanised version of a dog.

“So, it’s been a lot of fun exploring how best to make Sylvia a relatable and real character, with some dog-like mannerisms.”

While the dog’s new owner Greg is smitten with the unconditional love she shows him, his wife is less than impressed and sees the furry friend as a threat to their already rocky marriage.

*Frankie Roberts is a marketing manager by day and an actor by night. She says her stage work is far from a ruff job because she gets to hang out with cute dogs like Hughey.*

The show’s director Nicci Smith co-owns a dog grooming studio called Pup Culture. She let Roberts join her at work to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a dog – specifically a lively labradoodle.

“I wanted her to see their lovable, boisterous, doofus characters,” Smith says.

“I think it’s definitely helped her bring Sylvia to life.”

Smith reckons people would be barking mad to miss this kooky play.

“It’s a really charming show that helps you to see the craziness and love that a dog can bring to your life.”

Smith hasn’t always loved dogs though. In fact as a child she had five cats. At the same time.

“My husband is more of a dog person and that eventually rubbed off on me. So our first child was a golden retriever named Daisy.”

Written in 1995, the play has appeared on Broadway starring the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

Roberts, who trained at the Waterfront Theatre School in South Africa, appears onstage alongside the talents of Chris Watson, Rebecca Williamson and Jo Morrissey.

Sylvia is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from March 31 to April 10, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from iTicket.

Words by Taryn Raynes, with photos by Adele Smith.

Main photo caption: Chris Watson, Frankie Roberts and Rebecca Williamson are having the ultimutt time rehearsing for Little Theatre’s next production, Sylvia.

Sylvia’s a theatrical puppy love triangle

The latest show at Little Theatre is a charming look at a love triangle between a man, his wife, and his beloved dog Sylvia. Director Nicci Smith had a chat with us about dogs, why she loves them, and if she’s been using treats to train her cast.

Hey Nicci! You’re directing a play called Sylvia, which opens later this month at Little Theatre. Can you tell us what Sylvia is about?
Sylvia is a funny, moving play about man and his best friend, set in New York. Greg is a man facing a midlife crisis when he finds Sylvia the dog in the park. He’s determined to keep her although his wife, family friend, strangers and a therapist all have strong views on this.

That sounds awesome! What made you choose this play?
I vaguely remembered hearing about the play when it was done at Cue Theatre in the early noughties, directed by the late, great Derek Treeby. I didn’t get to see it at the time unfortunately, but I remember reading about it. Being a fan of movies and TV programmes about dogs and other animals I decided to order the script about two years ago and instantly loved it. I was just waiting patiently to be asked by one of the theatres to direct.

*Nicci, auditioning potential Sylvia’s in Central Park in New York in 2019*

You’re a dog person, right?
Funnily enough growing up I was more of a cat person, and at one point we had five cats when I was a kid. However my husband is more of a dog person and that eventually rubbed off on me. So our first child (of the fur variety) was a golden retriever named Daisy, followed ten years later by a Tibetan terrier named Milo. They both moved with us to New Zealand in 2002, sadly neither are with us anymore.

We now have Brodie, a 13-year-old spoodle and Fonz a shih tzu cavalier cross. We also have two moggy cats Izzy and Dobbie and a munchkin cat called Frida. Also regular visitors to our house are my daughter’s dogs Hughey the spoodle and Lochie the cavoodle.

Also, just over three years ago my daughter and I decided to train as dog groomers and we set up business in our basement. So, on top of all our own dogs we get to cuddle and beautify about another 20+ dogs per week at Pup Culture Groomers!

So, do you use any ticks of the dog grooming trade, or any treats to get the cast to follow commands?
Oh that’s a great idea. I did suggest early on that treats would be rewarded for line learning, but I’ve yet to follow through. I’ll try that this week.

Nicci, very important question here, if you were a dog, what breed would you be?
I think I’m the human twin of my dog Fonz the shih tzu cavalier cross. Long body, short legs, food motivated and not a big fan of exercise. We recently have become medical twins too. Last year he had to get his gallbladder removed. This year I’m waiting to see a specialist as I now have gallbladder issues.

What do you think of cats?
I’m a big fan of cats. I’d be hard pushed to choose between dogs and cats

Fav dog movie?
Probably Marley and Me – it makes me laugh and cry – I ugly cry every time I see it! And when the kids were little we all loved the animated film All Dogs go to Heaven.

*Frankie Roberts and Rebecca Williamson rehearsing for Sylvia*

Back to the play. The Broadway productions have had some pretty big names in them, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Who’s in the New Plymouth cast, and how’s it all going?
We have Chris Watson playing Greg. He’s no stranger to New Plymouth theatre, his most recent appearances include Kings of the Gym and Noises Off at Little Theatre.

Rebecca Williamson is playing Kate, she last appeared in The Actress at New Plymouth Repertory Society. Jo Morrissey, a newcomer to New Plymouth plays three roles – Tom a dog owner, Phyllis the family friend and Leslie the gender neutral therapist. Both Rebecca and Jo are from the USA and have been keeping us right in pronunciation.

The title role of Sylvia is played by newcomer to New Plymouth, Frankie Roberts. Frankie, from South Africa, studied theatre when she left school and she’s delighted to be back on stage after a break of a few years.

Thankfully our only hurdle has been rehearsing around the theatre building upgrade. I’m told it will be looking fabulous by opening night.

*Chris Watson and Frankie Roberts rehearsing for Sylvia*

So role of Sylvia the dog is played by a woman? What’s it like directing a woman to play a dog? And have any actual dogs been involved?
Ha ha ha. The character of Sylvia is described as a labramutt. She’s a cross between a lab and a French poodle. It was written in 1995 before labradoodles really took off.

Frankie who plays Sylvia has come down to the grooming salon a couple of times to meet our labradoodle clients. I wanted her to see their lovable, boisterous, doofus characters. Although Frankie already brought a lovely physicality to stage I think it’s definitely helped her bring Sylvia to life.

Any props that have to be chewed are brought home to Lochie the cavoodle who is at the delightful chewing stage and happy to oblige.

Why should people come and see this show?
To see the craziness and love that a dog can bring to your life. I think anyone who’s ever had a dog, love them or hate them, will be able to relate.

THE DETAILS
Sylvia, by A R Gurney and directed by Nicci Smith, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from March 31 to April 10, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from iTicket.

Throw your hat in the ring for The Full Monty auditions

A Taranaki director is on the hunt for six ordinary blokes who are willing to get their gear off in the name of art and entertainment.

After years of trying, theatre director John Lawson has secured the rights for the amateur New Zealand premiere of the award-winning show The Full Monty.

Now he just needs to find the men who are keen to strip night after night to Tom Jones’ version of the iconic hit, You Can Leave Your Hat On.

Based on the smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, The Full Monty will open at New Plymouth Little Theatre in July.

Like the 1997 film, the stage show follows six unemployed steelworkers from Sheffield who form a male striptease group in the hope of making some cash and rebuilding relationships.

Lawson says he’s not looking for a troupe of chippendales or buff bodybuilders to play those six characters.

“These six men are normal, working blokes from a rather poor area. They’re ordinary guys, they could be anyone you know. We’ve just got to find them,” Lawson says.

In fact, Lawson says he is looking for the biggest cast Little Theatre has had in decades – 28 people.

“There’s only six people stripping, so not all 28 will be getting their gear off. We need 20 men and eight women, and some of the roles are non-speaking roles, so there really is something for everyone, even the people new to theatre.”

The multi-award winning Fox Searchlight Pictures film took the world by storm, breaking box office records and netting more than $250 million.

Lawson, who grew up in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 1979, remembers watching the film when it first came out.

“It’s always been one of my favourite movies. It’s got a great storyline, and I really enjoy that British sense of humour.

“I’ve pretty much wanted to do The Full Monty as a theatre show since the movie came out, and I looked into it about six or seven years ago. The amateur rights weren’t available yet, but they are now, and we’ve got them, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Lawson says as well as being a rip-roaring comedy, the story touches on more serious issues – like unemployment, depression, and the rights of fathers.

“It’s not just a strip show. It’s a play based on a tough time in history, a time when unemployment was high and crime was high. So, yes it’s a play that centres around a strip show, but it’s more than that too. I hope everyone will come and see this.”

The Full Monty is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14 to July 31. Open auditions for all 28 roles will be held on Saturday March 13, 1pm, at Te Piere on the WITT Campus. For more information or for a copy of the script, please contact production manager Tasha Paton on tashapaton@gmail.com.

Words and photo by Taryn Raynes

Photo caption: Theatre director John Lawson is looking for six men who are willing to leave their hats, and only their hats on for The Full Monty.

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