Our vision for theatre productions

Jul 11, 2017 | Acting

Back in 2005 when I produced MILO’S WAKE the stage play my founding concept was that our theatre productions would be high quality, accessible, cheaply priced, and presented in traditional meeting places – pubs, clubs and halls. I wanted to entice people who had never been near a theatre, as well as traditional theatre goers, to come and see share a story that had relevance to the challenges and realities of contemporary life. I was very lucky in my talented cast: Susan Brady, Hannah Marshall, Ashley Hawkes and in 2006 Peta Rutter. The musicianship of Peter Francis and Jo were exceptional. In rehearsal I strive to create an ensemble where the intelligence of the whole group is brought to the work, and the full contribution of each individual is respected and encouraged. I favour character work and trust process to produce great outcomes. I believe Sean O’Faolain’s contention, that stories can be guide books to living, communicating important ideas, thoughts and feelings that are useful in peoples’ lives. Such ideas can be read and taught – but have a powerful revelation as shared experience.

Interview with Michael Galvin

This is NUTS. An interview I did for QuoteUnquote magazine with Michael Galvin, Dr Chris Warner on Shortland Street, in 1996! It was a few months after he left Shorty. I'd just done a one month stint and was to return for a longer stint a few years later as acting...

Bali-wood

In December I went to Bali for five days to act in a TVC for a bookings.com campaign. It was a fabulous time, I have to confess. Sorry to skite, but we were spoilt rotten: practically by our lovely producer, Angela Hovey, and creatively by the awesome team from...

My Year of Living Dangerously: Russia 1992

I flew to Russia via a stopover in Belgrade. There was a civil war going on which explained the cut price Yugoslav Airlines fare, though the saving was lost when I was robbed in a sleazy Belgrade hotel. Undaunted, next day I touched down at Sheremetyevo airport,...

Acting Coaches: who needs them anyway?!

Last week I was asked by Phil Darkins of NZ Equity to do a Q&A with Jennifer Ward-Leyland, Britta McVeigh and Miranda Harcourt on the Actor-Coach relationship. Flattered to be included in such exulted company, I accepted. The evening has come and gone, and it was...

ON NERVES, SELF-DOUBT AND CONFIDENCE

"The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I’m trying to rectify my wrongs" - Joaquin Phoenix You don’t have to be a tortured artist to be a good actor. You have a right to happiness, a life long partner, kids, travel, a life, all that good...