THE CATS MOTHER

A Dark Comedy written by Erica Murray

Directed by Terry Darby

The Cat’s Mother is a funny, moving play centring around two Irish sisters; Sinead and Ciara, who over the course of a weekend attempt to grapple with a morally-challenging decision surrounding their mother, whose early-onset dementia is proving too difficult to handle.

Auditions will be held at The New Plymouth Little Theatre, New Plymouth for this delightful play.

Roles:

Sinead – sister

Ciara – sister

Marge. A Barista in a local café.

Gemma. A personal trainer.

Dr Hill. A medical practitioner.

Tina. An alcoholic zookeeper.

Jeannie. A lawyer.

Rosie. A spiritual healer.

Smaller roles can be played by one person but I wish to use as many different people as possible. The roles would suit a range of ages, seasoned actresses or anyone wishing to tread the boards for the first time.

The play is scheduled to run from mid July and it is envisaged that rehearsals will commence as soon as the cast have been chosen.

Auditions to be held at New Plymouth Little Theatre at 11am on the 1^st May 2022.

For further information or scripts please contact Terry Darby

0278608626 or email Piratedarby53@gmail.com

Success was the theme of the night, and what a success it was for Sylvia!

On March 12th the 2021 Toscars were held at the New Plymouth Little Theatre. This is an opportunity to celebratre all of the hard work that goes in to the production of each show that plays on the little theatre stage.

First there was Sylvia, a show that while small in cast numbers, packed a huge punch with talent. Who would have thought, watching a human play a dog could be so darn entertaining. The reviews were spectacular!

Then there was the Full Monty an NZ amateur premiere. Turns out New Plymouth wanted to see some skin, because the audience literally couldn’t get enough, and every time a new show was announced it was sold out quicker than you could refresh your browser.

At the end the year, we had the The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special. A show that proved to be the highest grossing show in NPLT’s history!! No, no, no, no….YES!!!!

So now we would like to congratulate the winners of the 2021 Toscars.

Best Under 19 – Flynn Wilson – ‘Nathan’ in The Full Monty

Most Promising – Rebecca Williamson – ‘Kate’ in Sylvia

Best Support Actor – Morris West – ‘Gerald’ in The Full Monty

Best Supporting Actress – Jo Morrissey – ‘Tom, Phyllis and Leslie’ in Sylvia

Best Set – SylviaBest Actress – Frankie Roberts – ‘Sylvia’ in Sylvia

Best Actor – Chris Watson – ‘Greg’ in Sylvia

Best Production – Sylvia

President’s Cup – Suzy Adair

Best Club Member – Gillian Gibbons

Backstage Excellence – Chris Morrison

Technical Excellence – Simon Mosely

Distinguished Service – Brian Smith

Pictured is the cast of Sylvia, who had a smashing success of awards on the night. Well done everyone!!!

New Plymouth Little Theatre proudly presents the community theatre production of ‘The Thrill of Love’, by special arrangement with Nick Hearn Books and New Zealand Play Bureau Ltd.

The Thrill of Love

Written by Amanda Whittington

Directed by Mikel O’Connell and Suzanna Adair

A hostess in the West End ‘gentlemen’s clubs’, Ruth Ellis works hard, plays hard and dreams of a movie-star life. Yet in 1955, the self-styled ‘blonde bombshell’ is convicted of murder and becomes the last woman to be hanged in Great Britain.

Ruth’s crime is re-examined in the light of the society she lived in and the experiences that led to her shooting her lover. Through the eyes of film noir Detective Inspector Gale – and the haunting voice of Billie Holiday – The Thrill of Love explores the enigma of Ruth Ellis: a woman whose short but explosive life still resonates.

Audition details: When: 12.30 – 4.30pm Sunday 21st November.

Where: New Plymouth Little Theatre Foyer.

Email: marketing@littletheatre.co.nz for audition script pieces.

Characters:

Ruth Ellis: A young, blonde, nightclub hostess.

Jack Gale: A pessimistic seasoned detective inspector.

Sylvia Shaw: The experienced nightclub manageress who likes to look richer than she is.

Vickie Martin: A young, ambitious model and actress with dreams of being a dancer.

Doris Judd: A compassionate, respectful, charwoman.

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he gives us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week seven of rehearsals, the tech team is moving in and the boys have been out and about in public giving interviews.

Well, the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT is out! Five more shows go on sale to the public on Wednesday, meaning that the run will end on my 65^th birthday. I hadn’t planned anything special, but special it will be.

Including today we have 6 weeks, or 42 days, or 17 official rehearsal nights…but no pressure.

Rehearsals continue well and all are working hard on their lines, accents and pitch…even ALAN ALAN ALAN!!

Nathan (lights) and Brian (sound)officially joined the team last night and look to real involvement from here on in and both have a significant input to the success of the show.

April has rejigged the choreography for the final number following a mix up over Cocker versus Jones…but apparently there was already enough cock-er in the show. My wife, Lynda, held the first waltz practice and this will be a regular Sunday feature leading up to the big day.

Four of the lads spent an hour with the More FM crew during their 12 hour fund-raising stint and it was a very popular time in their office. There is real excitement out there in the community. I have a feeling that come Wednesday evening that there may still be a number of disappointed people.

Backstage things have now been cleared so that we can fit everyone in as well as manage a number of quick changes.

Loving this show…loving the people.

P.S. Our leading man, Jimmy, had an outpatient visit to Hawera Hospital. Rumour has it that he injured himself nicking girders.

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty, a play by Simon Beaufoy and directed by John Lawson, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. Tickets to the extension go on sale on Wednesday June 2 at noon from iTicket.