IMPORTANCE of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde PRINCIPAL FUNDERS

the IMPORTANCE of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde PRINCIPAL FUNDERS

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MAJOR SUPPORTERS Oscar Wilde Sexy, sophisticated, satirical experienced hands like and subversive EARNEST Elizabeth Hawthorne, Lisa subtitled THE is fiendishly clever work; Chappell, Catherine Wilkin, IMPORTANCE OF a confection of delicious Adam Gardiner, Glen BEING EARNEST language that so effortlessly Pickering and Cameron and so effectively lampoons Rhodes (who as a bright “a trivial comedy for the artifice, pretentions and eyed and bushy haired Proud to be NZ’s Most Official caterers of serious people”. hypocrisies of the leisured drama school graduate Awarded Winery and Auckland Theatre classes to whom “in played Algernon in my 1990 Sponsor of Auckland Company This “trivial” comedy Theatre Company matters of great importance, production) together with has proved Wilde’s style, not sincerity, is the newcomers, Ash Jones most enduring vital thing”. Part farce, and Laurel Devenie who popular play. part comedy of manners both make their Auckland MEDIA PARTNERS and all fun EARNEST is a Theatre Company debut in glorious mix of slick social this production. My thanks commentary and almost Alice to them all for their comic in Wonderland absurdity. talent, intelligence, energy and enthusiasm. That the motives, morals and mores of its characters are Big thanks too to my stellar still recognisable to us and design team and to everyone still make us laugh 115 years who has contributed to after the play was written is bringing this EARNEST to the testimony to Wilde’s huge stage tonight. SUPPORTING PARTNERS talent to amuse, shock, provoke, challenge and AUCKLAND ART GALLERY TOI O TAMAKI / BDO / CANON / CYCLONE COMPUTERS delight. Enjoy the madness! INFLIGHT PRODUCTIONS / MARKETING IMPACT / PERRY FOUNDATION It’s been a great pleasure to rediscover EARNEST BRUCE MASON CENTRE / MAIDMENT THEATRE / SKYCITY THEATRE Colin McColl with actors of this calibre; Synopsis the IMPORTANCE of being In London, Algernon Moncrieff discovers that his Earnest good friend “Ernest” is really Jack Worthing, and that Jack has invented a badly behaved younger brother called Ernest CAST so that he can come to the city and get up to mischief Jack Worthing—Adam Gardiner Algernon Moncrieff—Ash Jones Algernon has a similar excuse to escape his responsibilities Lady Bracknell—Elizabeth Hawthorne – and calls the strategy Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax—Lisa Chappell ‘Bunburying’. Jack (as Ernest) Miss Prism—Catherine Wilkin proposes to Algernon’s Cecily Cardew—Laurel Devenie cousin Gwendolen and is Dr. Canon Chasuble—Cameron Rhodes accepted because she is in love with the name “Ernest”. Lane / Merriman—Glen Pickering Her mother, Lady Bracknell, interviews Jack and when he CREATIVE reveals that he was found as a baby in a handbag in Victoria Direction—Colin McColl station she immediately Set Design—John Parker refuses to condone the marriage. Costume Design—Elizabeth Whiting Lighting Design—Tony Rabbit At Jack’s manor house in Sound Design—Eden Mulholland the country Algernon arrives claiming to be Ernest and declares his love for Jack’s pretty young ward, Cecily. PRODUCTION She tells him she could only love a man called “Ernest”. Production Manager—Mark Gosling Gwendolen arrives and the Technical Manager—Bonnie Burrill women discover that they are Senior Stage Manager—Fern Christie both engaged to “Mr. Ernest Worthing.” Jack and Algernon Stage Manager—Nicola Blackman are confronted by the ladies Operator—Sarah Briggs and eventually charm them by Wardrobe Technician—Sophie Ham declaring that they are both to Properties Master—Bec Ehlers be re-christened as “Ernest” Set Construction—2 Construct that afternoon. However before they can celebrate their happiness Lady Bracknell AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR HELP WITH THIS arrives, and with the help PRODUCTION: Purfex Mannequins and Forms (www.purfex.com), Amber McWilliams, MusicWorks. of Cecily’s governess Miss Prism the truth of Jack’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is the second Auckland Theatre Company production for 2010 and opened on March 11th. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is approximately 125 minutes long including an interval. parentage is finally revealed. Please remember to switch off all mobile phones, pagers and watch alarms. Wilde in the World By Arthur Meek

As a person, Oscar During his all-to-brief toothed badger, sinking into stay at the crease, Oscar obscurity under the weight Wilde was just managed to simultaneously of her own pomposity. In as comfortable define and defy social and stark contrast, Oscar loved cracking gags with artistic convention. He drew the ways of the aunt, while inspiration and form from wryly acknowledging that, in moneyed Victorian the deep well of his classical her desire to do good by her socialites as he was education and used it to nephew, she is often required lecturing dishevelled shape and inspire a modernity to inconvenience him, even to American miners that still lives up to its name. the point of ruining his day. on the finer points It is in his spirit of cherishing If, as an audience member rather than discarding the past you spend tonight rippling of aestheticism. As that I set aside my repeated with laughter, then it’s a a writer, he was as contention that the ATC success. If you then demand proficient at writing should be staging my plays this kind of wit and heart and not classical retreads. from writers like myself, for children as he THE IMPORTANCE OF then that is a challenge and a was for theatregoers BEING EARNEST is a gift to success. And if, in the quality and bookworms, the theatre and we shouldn’t of Oscar’s humour, you see feel shy about rewrapping a direct line of influence to as attested to by a it and passing it on to new the work of Dave Armstrong compact but glittering generations of playgoers. and Ken Duncum, who stand side by side with him in the output, the highlights As a writer who often deals ATC programme, then it’s a in comedy, I’m constantly of which are surely triumph. THE HAPPY PRINCE reminded of humour’s tendency to tarnish with Arthur Meek is the writer AND OTHER TALES, age. Oscar sets a very high of ‘On the Conditions and this play and his lone comedic bar for the simple Possibilities of Helen Clark novel, THE PICTURE and easily neglected reason Taking Me as Her Young that he rather likes people. Lover’, ‘Collapsing Creation’ OF DORIAN GRAY. Lesser comedians mock and and the upcoming TVNZ scoff, rolling their superior comedy ‘Feedback’. eyes at the shortcomings of the dropkicks they’re forced to live amongst. In another writer’s hands, Lady Bracknell could easily be a raving saw- ENGAGE WITH Our website: ATC ONLINE www.atc.co.nz

You can view photos of all our productions, watch TM interviews with actors and posterous directors, download the Our blog, ATC’s Green Room: programme and education http://atc.posterous.com/ packs, read about what @ColinMcColl If all the world’s a stage the play inspires the playwrights is badly cast. Except for yours of course. Good we work with and post luck to you all. 7.55pm 11 March your comments and reviews. My quotes follow me everywhere RT @ladygaga: @NZCustoms www.youtube.com/user/ ‘I have nothing to declare except my genius’ AucklandTheatreCo 8am 11 March Places to find out more I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word about ATC and engage of what I am saying. My excuse, not yours Sarah Palin. with us: 9.47am 9 March Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter www.flickr.com/photos/ it every six months… and every award season #oscars aucklandtheatrecompany/ 3.50pm 8 March Budget cuts and tips for surviving the recession? Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. 2.19pm 5 March ® @BLACKCAPS A triumph over the Australians. But Mr Styris www.facebook.com/theATC should remember one should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. 11.00pm 4 March User name @AklandTheatreCo ‘Campbell ‘now more popular’ with 7pm viewers’ one can now live down everything except a good reputation @JohnJCampbell 7.12pm March 4 I applaud the nude cyclist. Beauty is a form of genius that Auckland Theatre Company needs no explanation. Level 2, 108 Quay St, 2.07pm March 4 Auckland 1010 PO Box 105-941, Woke early this morning and turned on the television. Was Auckland 1143 reminded that only dull people are brilliant at breakfast. ph: 09 3090390 fax: 09 3090391 7.30am March 1 [email protected] Popular misconceptions about One should absorb the colour of life, but one Oscar Wilde should never remember its details. Details are always vulgar. —THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY 1 2 3

‘Oscar’ is the best-known He coasted through unsuccessfully, to become an and the green carnation was Once Oscar Wilde was infection and meningitis which ‘Wilde’ university, with a reputation Inspector of Schools; his effect said to be the badge of Parisian arrested, tried and did for him in the end. for langorousness and a love on English education could pederasts. If either had been imprisoned, Lord Alfred True, but unfairly so. His Oscar Wilde was merely of lilies have been startling. true, Edward Carson, the Douglas, who essentially father, Sir William, was a a hedonist who, as he Marquess of Queensberry’s got him into the mess, remarkable Dublin doctor Oscar was certainly influenced Being Irish was just an admitted, put his genius into defence lawyer in the libel trial, abandoned him whose medical work on the by the aesthetic theories accident of birth; he was an would certainly have pinpointed his life but only his talent 1851 and 1861 censuses of John Ruskin and Walter ‘Bosie’ Douglas, in a devoted English author, surely? them, as he did the overtly into his works earned him his knighthood, Pater while at Oxford, and he but often muddle-headed way, In the sense that The gay passages in the magazine At his trial Wilde said that his and is still referred to today adopted the pose of an effete was remarkably supportive Importance of Being Earnest publication of The Picture of aim in life had been self- as essential source material young man, but he went up when the crash came. He and Lady Winderemere’s Fan Dorian Gray (which were later realisation through pleasure for 19th century Irish history. as a scholar to Magdalen and visited Oscar on remand in are archetypically ‘English’ suppressed in the book.) rather than suffering. Later, in Sir William also published came down with a double first Holloway every day and only plays — perhaps; but there is a his long prison letter to Douglas, important contributions to the in classics and the Newdigate Oscar Wilde’s arrest was went to France before the first profound Irishness underlying De Profundis, he recants and study of Celtic antiquities and prize for poetry. This took delayed by several hours to trial at the insistence of his much of what Oscar wrote admits that only through pain Irish folklore. Oscar’s mother, considerable application as his allow him to catch the last brother and Oscar’s lawyers. and thought, especially in his and sorrow can true nobility Jane, was a prominent Irish contemporaries later testified boat-train and escape to the After Oscar’s conviction he correspondence. He may have of soul be achieved. He was Nationalist and poet who and his surviving Oxford continent wrote a defence of their love for remarked that the first thing undeniably a first-rate funny- was nearly imprisoned for notebooks demonstrate. a French journal, which would he forgot at Oxford was his When Oscar’s libel action man, but the jury is still out her inflammatory anti-English have done more harm than Irish accent, but when his play against Queensberry collapsed, on whether Wilde belongs in writing in 1848. As Oscar Apart from writing a couple good, and was never published. Salomé was banned he openly Queensberry’s lawyers sent the top division of literature, would write from prison in of plays, a few children’s He also helped Oscar financially accused the English of being all their papers to the director a paradox which is part of his 1897: “She and my father had stories, The Ballad of after his release from prison. narrow-minded saying, “I am of public prosecutions, who enduring appeal. bequeathed me a name they Reading Gaol and The not English; I’m Irish which is consulted the solicitor-general had made noble and honoured Picture of Dorian Gray he Oscar Wilde died of syphilis doesn’t seem to have done quite another thing.” and the home secretary and not merely in literature, art, This is an old canard which much then immediately applied to 1. Sir William Wilde archaeology and science, but ‘Earnest’ was a code-word has been doing the rounds for the magistrates for a warrant. 2. Marquess of Queensberry in the public history of my own Oscar’s ‘serious’ side is often for ‘gay’ and wearing a green nearly a century, and was lately Oscar was arrested at 6.20pm, 3. Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas country in its evolution as a overlooked. He spent a year championed on the flimsiest of carnation was a ‘secret’ sign though there were still four nation.” in the US in 1882 lecturing evidence by his best modern of homosexuality more trains to Paris that night. about the decorative arts; he biographer, Richard Ellmann. Both explanations seem He was then twice prosecuted edited a high-profile woman’s Killing Oscar off with the classic to have been conveniently by the crown. The jury failed to magazine for two years; he ‘disease of the decadents’ invented years later with little or agree on the first occasion, and wrote thought-provoking has always seemed a suitably no foundation in fact. ‘Earnest’ the crown, though not obliged Scandal is gossip made and controversial critical sensational way of rounding off was supposedly a corruption of to do so, tried him again - hardly tedious by morality. essays as well as many art a sensational life, but modern One’s real life is often the ‘Uraniste’ or one who practices the action of a government exhibition, theatre and book medical opinion agrees almost life that one does not lead. —LADY Uranian or homosexual love, anxious to see him escape. WINDERMERE’S FAN reviews. He also applied twice, universally that it was an ear —L’ENVOI The secret of life is to appreciate the pleasure of being terribly, terribly deceived. —A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE

LISA CHAPPELL Recent works for Auckland THEN IS NOW and returned LAUREL DEVENIE year she has worked from Cast Theatre Company include regularly to the theatre, one end of the country to the “It’s been a wonderful DESIGN FOR LIVING and THE including playing roles in “According to Jack, Cecily other, touring with Capital E: opportunity to work with THIRTY-NINE STEPS. Lisa EDUCATING RITA and THE has a ‘capital appetite, National Theatre for Children the wordsmith Oscar Wilde also featured as the playwright HOMECOMING. Continuing goes for long walks and in STEALING GAMES, – what a wit! What struck of DON’T HOLD YOUR to work on both sides of the pays no attention at all in directing for Northland me about Gwendolen when I BREATH in the 2009 Next Tasman, she recently starred her lessons’. Pragmatic, Youth Theatre in Whangarei, first read the play was what Stage Season. in the Australian feature extravagant and openly performing in Northland’s a rebel she was. Despite COFFIN ROCK and as a cult joyous, I hope I will find her Pohutukawa Company Growing up in Auckland, Lisa her age and the position deprogrammer in the local to be a rollicking good time. production of YOURS first came to prominence as women held in that time, she series THE CULT. She is busy I suspect she laughs a lot TRULY, and working with a Chelsea Redfern in GLOSS. basically does whatever she with a diverse schedule which and has a knack for doing community theatre group in Roles in SHARK IN THE PARK, wants. So the juxtaposition includes emcee appearances, exactly what she wants – Wanaka. CITY LIFE and HERCULES, between that and the social voiceovers, and script-writing. anyone who can conjure THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS conformity of the time is fun Lisa is a proud member of NZ up an entire engagement followed, as well as in feature to explore. Wilde’s use of Actors Equity. single handedly must have a language is so exquisite and films JACK BROWN, GENIUS rigorous and fierce grip on challenges the modern actor and DESPERATE REMEDIES. their own reality and power to rise to it and make it seem Lisa moved to Sydney and – or at least have the ability effortless. Colin’s modern/ received an Advanced Diploma to make it up whenever hybrid take and Elizabeth’s in Acting from The Actors they so desire. I am looking daring costume have all Center. Soon after, she won forward to her love of the assisted in creating, as Colin the role of Claire McLeod in outrageous and her intrigue puts it, ‘a very modern little the internationally popular with the wicked.” miss’. She’s smart, she’s television series MCLEOD’S Laurel graduated from Toi funny, she lives in a bubble DAUGHTERS. From many Whaakari: New Zealand and everything is trivial to award nominations for the Drama School, in 2006. After her except bread and butter role, Lisa won Most Popular appearing in FLAGONS AND and, of course, the name New Female Talent at the FOXTROTS, THE GRADUATE Ernest. Her lightness is my 2002 Australian Logie Awards and OTHELLO at Downstage challenge I think.” and the Silver Logie for Most in 2007, she became Popular Actress in 2004. heavily involved in various After three years, Lisa left independent productions, MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS mainly with Peripeteia in looking for a new challenge. Auckland, performing in She has since recorded and THE TEMPEST and THREE released an album, WHEN SISTERS in 2008. In the last ADAM GARDINER PENGUINS. ELIZAB ETH DOUBT, UP FOR GRABS, ASH JONES and to Manchester, England. SERIAL KILLERS, VITA AND In 2005, Adam narrowly beat Film credits include PRINCE “Those who do not know HAWTHORNE VIRGINIA, THE PLAY ABOUT “It is an absolute pleasure a dog and a sock puppet to CASPIAN, the Disney the guilty pleasures of THE BABY, THE BELLBIRD, to take on the deliciously win the coveted Best Actor “As Lady Bracknell I Production SKYRUNNERS Bunburying have certainly A STREETCAR NAMED naughty role that is Award at the Auckland 48hr am both daunted and and THE WARRIOR’S WAY, not lived a life, let alone the DESIRE, MASTERCLASS Algernon Moncrieff. The Film Festival. Recently he delighted to be entering alongside Geoffrey Rush pleasure of a double one and THE GRADUATE. Other way he interacts with all performed in Raewyn Hill’s into the, for me, formerly and Kate Bosworth. Ash’s just like Jack Worthing. theatre highlights include the other characters, with dance theatre work FINDERS unchartered waters of the television credits include Next time you put the kids to AS YOU LIKE IT and THREE such playfulness, wit and KEEPERS (which toured to glorious, inglorious Oscar appearances on THE CULT bed, sneak out of the house SISTERS. arrogance has been a joy to the Wanaka and Christchurch Fingal O’Flahertie Wills and SHORTLAND STREET. and get back just in time to Wilde. Mr. Wilde's own discover. Algernon is a real make them breakfast. Go on. Festivals). He also toured Amongst Elizabeth’s many embodiment of the Aesthetic throughout Australia with life reads more like the film credits are 30 DAYS They’d want you to.” relentless unfolding of a and Dandy qualities that Queensland based dance OF NIGHT, UNDERWORLD Oscar was so famous for Adam’s theatre credits Greek tragedy as opposed company DanceNorth in 3, JUBILEE, THE personally. My Algernon include THE FEMALE OF to the brilliantly subversive NIGHTCAFE. He is a proud FRIGHTENERS, SAVAGE certainly took some playing THE SPECIES, THE HOLLOW THE IMPORTANCE OF member of Actors’ Equity. HONEYMOON, THE LAST to discover but really that’s MEN, ANGELS WITH DIRTY BEING EARNEST that so TATOO, ALEX and THE all Algernon is: the absolute FEET, THE OCEAN STAR, A delights both players and CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: delight in play!” CLOCKWORK ORANGE, MR audience. Working with THE LION, THE WITCH AND KOLPERT, LADIES NIGHT and Colin McColl is always a THE WARDROBE. This is Ash’s debut NEW GOLD DREAM. wonderful experience, and performance with Auckland this production with all its Television experience Theatre Company and he Film and television credits accompanying subversive includes SHORTLAND is thrilled to be working include EAGLE VS SHARK, challenges to sacred social STREET, SPIN DOCTORS and alongside such an inspirational POWER RANGERS, RIVER conventions and heightened OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE. cast and director. QUEEN, HEAR NO EVIL, THE by fabulous costume, Elizabeth’s film and television LOST ONE, OUTRAGEOUS lighting and set design, accolades include a Nokia Recent theatre highlights FORTUNE, FOR GOOD, will make for a sparkling Film Best Supporting Actress include performances LOVEBITES and HOPELESS. cocktail of glorious Award for her role in SAVAGE in the SHORT+SWEET FESTIVAL, TITUS (Auckland Apart from acting, Adam’s theatricality.” HONEYMOON (2000) and an Fringe Festival), THE LAST work for Auckland Theatre AFTA Award for Best Comedy Elizabeth Hawthorne is one TANIWHA, and GREEN Company has included Performance for SPIN of New Zealand’s most ROOM (which Ash co-devised the audio visual design for DOCTORS (2003). talented and respected and performed). With Massive EQUUS, the sound design actors. Her Auckland Theatre In 2001, Elizabeth received Theatre Company, Ash starred for THE TUTOR, and tour Only dull people are brilliant Company credits include THE an ONZM for Services to in UP CLOSE OUT LOUD management for HATCH at breakfast. FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, The Theatre in the Queen’s which toured New Zealand OR THE PLIGHT OF THE Birthday List. —AN IDEAL HUSBAND A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. —THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY

GLEN PICKERING Glen is the Artistic Director CAMERON RHODES SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER CATHERINE WILKIN MCCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS, of The National Youth and LES LIAISONS THE SADDLE CLUB, BLUE “An aging rocker and a dim Theatre Company, a coach “Twenty years ago I played DANGEREUSES (Downstage “Having played Cecily HEELERS, EMBASSY, country lad. Not what you in corporate presentations, Algernon in a wonderful Theatre) and Kafka’s THE Cardew twice in much HALIFAX, RAFFERTY'S would normally associate acting tutor and co-creator of production directed by Colin TRIAL (THE EDGE®). earlier days—once in the RULES (for which she won with Oscar Wilde. His Toi Trade Theatre Company McColl at Downstage. Robyn hilarious TRAVESTIES a Silver Logie) and FLYING He directed the Basement language is so alive, full of which devised and toured Malcolm was Cecily, and by Tom Stoppard at DOCTORS (for which she Theatre’s I HEART CAMPING, wit, humour, honesty and their first show last year. Tony Rabbit designed the the Melbourne Theatre won a Penguin Award). and recent Christmas hit insight that you can’t help set and lights. Now in 2010 I Company, I am delighted In New Zealand, she has Glen graduated from the CHRIST ALMIGHTY and but fall in love with the play. have the chance to be in the to be revisiting the play as appeared in OUTRAGEOUS UNITEC School of Performing won best director in the 2010 It is a pleasure to create play again, with a fantastic her governess the ‘ripe’ and FORTUNE, CHILDREN OF and Screen Arts in 2004. SHORT+SWEET ten minute and play such wonderful cast, and Colin at the helm. ‘mature’ Miss Prism.” THE DOGSTAR, GLOSS, characters in this seriously During this time he worked Dr Chasuble is a great part, theatre festival competition. Catherine’s extensive career MARLIN BAY, THE CHOSEN, absurd world. Wilde himself with Raymond Hawthorne on I get to relish Wilde’s witty Film and television in theatre, film and television DUGGAN and SWIMMING once said, ‘Most people are THE CRUCIBLE, and played in delicious dialogue, and be appearances include the has seen her perform LESSONS (for which she other people. Their thoughts MACBETH, MEASURE FOR part of this exciting team!” Qantas Film Award nominated throughout New Zealand, won a New Zealand Film are someone else’s opinions, MEASURE and VICTORY. THE IMPORTANCE OF performances in I’M NOT Australia and Europe. and TV Award). Her film their lives a mimicry, their Glen is a proud member of BEING EARNEST is HARRY JENSON, BRAVE work includes THE CASE OF passions a quotation.’” Actors’ Equity. Theatre credits include Cameron’s tenth appearance DONKEY (short film). Other KATHERINE MANSFIELD, HEDDA GABLER, This is Glen’s second with the Auckland Theatre work for the screen includes THE JOKER, SMALL TOWN THE GRADUATE appearance for Auckland Company. SPIES AND LIES, JINX BLUES and BRILLIANT LIES. (Downstage Theatre), THE Theatre Company following SISTER, WE’RE HERE TO Over an acting career that MISANTHROPE, BURNT last year’s production HELP, LORD OF THE RINGS spans twenty-one years PIANO, SHARK FIN of OLIVER. His other and BREAD AND ROSES. and more than seventy SOUP (Melbourne Theatre performance highlights productions, Cameron’s Cameron’s busy schedule Company), DINNER, LADY include ENSEMBLE PROJECT theatre credits include SHE includes voice-overs, working WINDERMERE’S FAN (Circa (Silo Theatre), THE GLASS STOOPS TO CONQUER, THE as an acting teacher at Theatre), ARCADIA, GHOSTS MENAGERIE (Peach Theatre THIRTY-NINE STEPS and UNITEC and in the corporate (The Court Theatre), THE Company) and OBSERVE THE DESIGN FOR LIVING (ATC), world as a voice/presenting RAFT (Centrepoint Theatre), SONS OF ULSTER (A Lethal THE THREEPENNY OPERA, coach. He is a graduate of MIDDLE AGE SPREAD, Set). LOOT and A CLOCKWORK Toi Whaakari: New Zealand UP FOR GRABS, EQUUS, ORANGE (Silo Theatre), A Drama School and a proud WHO WANTS TO BE 100? MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S member of New Zealand and, most recently, THE DREAM and A WAY OF Actors’ Equity. POHUTUKAWA TREE (ATC). LIFE (New Zealand Actors’ Catherine’s television credits Company), SWEENEY TODD, include the Australian series A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal. —THE CRITIC AS AN ARTIST

OSCAR WILDE two years’ hard labour. COLIN MCCOLL OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?. JOHN PARKER Creative PLAYWRIGHT During his time in prison, he DIRECTOR His many productions for SET DESIGNER wrote a 50,000-word letter Auckland Theatre Company Born in Ireland, Oscar Fingal One of New Zealand’s leading to Douglas which was later include THE POHUTUKAWA “The world of Wilde, and of O’Falhertie Wills Wilde was theatre directors, Colin co- published as DE PROFUNDIS. TREE, CAT ON A HOT TIN the play, is one of artifice. one of the most successful founded Taki Rua Theatre in His poem BALLAD OF ROOF, THE FEMALE OF THE Everyone is someone other playwrights of the late 1983 and was Artistic Director READING GAOL was written SPECIES, WHERE WE ONCE than they appear. Victorian era and one of of Downstage Theatre in after his release. Wilde, by BELONGED, END OF THE the greatest celebrities of Wellington, 1984-1992. He A loosely sixties-referenced now in poor health, spent RAINBOW, THE CRUCIBLE, his day. His plays LADY has led Auckland Theatre environment allows us to his last years, penniless, in HATCH OR THE PLIGHT OF WINDERMERE’S FAN, Company as Artistic Director explore the ideas of class self-imposed exile at the Hotel THE PENGUINS, DOUBT, AN IDEAL HUSBAND since July 2003. breakdown and illusion. It d’Alsace in Paris. DISGRACE, THE DUCHESS and A WOMAN OF NO was the era where a rock Colin has directed for the OF MALFI, EQUUS, IMPORTANCE are still widely A month before his death musician could mingle Norwegian National Theatre GOLDIE, WAITING FOR performed but it is THE he is quoted as saying “My effortlessly with royalty, and the Dutch National GODOT, SERIAL KILLERS, IMPORTANCE OF BEING wallpaper and I are fighting a paint a Rolls Royce in Theatre, as well as most THE SEAGULL and UNCLE EARNEST which is most duel to the death. One of us psychedelic colours and be leading New Zealand and VANYA. commonly revived. has to go." more famous than Jesus. Australian theatre companies. Opera directing credits Wilde studied classics at The Photographer, In November 2007, Colin include QUARTET (New Trinity College, Dublin, and epitomized by David Bailey, was honoured for his artistic Zealand International Arts was awarded a scholarship created internationally achievements and excellence Festival 2004), LA BOHEME to Magdalen College, Oxford, famous faces from kids with at the eighth annual Arts (Wellington City Opera), THE where he became a part of working-class backgrounds, Foundation of New Zealand ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS, the Aesthetic movement, its so the photographic Laureate Awards. THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO chief tenet being to make backdrop idea provides a and THE PRODIGAL CHILD metaphor for a place where an art of life. His paradoxes Previous achievements for the NBR New Zealand you can be anyone you say and witty observations include Best Director Opera. you are. were widely quoted. His for Auckland Theatre relationship with Lord Alfred Company’s 2001 production Late last year he re-staged his At the premiere of the play, Douglas (“Bosie”) led to of ROSENCRANTZ AND production of THE ITALIAN the audience was filled Wilde’s downfall at the height GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD. GIRL IN ALGIERS for Scottish with Wilde’s fan base, who of his fame in 1895. After National Opera. understood the esoteric Colin has also won Best two gruelling trials – the code within the wit of the Director at the Chapman jury was unable to reach a language. The set aims Tripp Theatre Awards several verdict in the first – Wilde was to trigger contemporary times - including for his 2002 convicted and sentenced to esoteric codes.” production of WHO’S AFRAID John Parker is an award FAN TUTTE, EVITA and ELIZABETH Oscar Wilde was very second time her work has TONY RABBIT winning set designer and is TRASH TO FASHION. interested in dress reform been shown internationally. as well respected in the world WHITING and designed his own Recently, her work was seen LIGHTING John has also designed for of ceramics as he is in set COSTUME wife’s wardrobe. He would in AK09’s THE ARRIVAL. DESIGNER The Louis Vuitton Ball and The design. He has a long history no doubt have expected America’s Cup Ball, Bendon’s DESIGNER Elizabeth has had an illustrious Tony Rabbit has designed sets of designing for Auckland contemporary styling in his Next To Nothing, Bellsouth career designing for a wide and/or lighting for theatre, Theatre Company. “Oscar Wilde’s THE own production of the play. Pharaohs, Precious Legacy range of performing arts opera, television and film IMPORTANCE OF BEING In the costume area I have His set designs include and Peru: Gold and Sacrifice organisations throughout New and even, according to one EARNEST delights in updated the period in which THE WIFE WHO SPOKE for the Auckland Museum. He Zealand. Recent highlights reporter, the radio. turning the world upside the costumes are set to a JAPANESE IN HER SLEEP, was awarded a Waitakere City include LA BOHEME, down. Those things which contemporary world with His work was last seen THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM Millennium Medal for services FALSTAFF, FAUST, THE are important are dismissed 60’s overtones. I have also by Auckland Theatre COUNTY SPELLING BEE, to the Community. BARBER OF SEVILLE and and those which are used Oscar Wilde’s dress Company audiences in END OF THE RAINBOW, COSI FAN TUTTE (NBR unimportant are given great motifs—the green carnation, THE POHUTUKAWA SWEET CHARITY, DOUBT, New Zealand Opera), LA significance. the formal jacket styling TREE, CAT ON A HOT TIN MUM’S CHOIR, TAKING CAGE AUX FOLLES and and the knickerbockers, to ROOF, WHERE WE ONCE OFF, EQUUS, CALIGULA, With the design for this new THE COUNTRY WIFE (Court reflect in my own way his BELONGED, END OF THE THE BACH, MIDDLE AGE production we wanted to do Theatre), THREE DAYS OF something similar, so the own daring style.” RAINBOW, HATCH OR THE SPREAD, THE ROCKY RAIN, THE MYSTERY OF PLIGHT OF THE PENGUINS, HORROR SHOW, NOISES audience sees the work with Currently working for NBR NZ IRMA VEP, THE LITTLE DOG fresh eyes. We wanted to DISGRACE and THE OFF, WAITING FOR GODOT, Opera in the MARRIAGE OF LAUGHED (Silo Theatre), DUCHESS OF MALFI. ROSENCRANTZ AND give the play a contemporary FIGARO, Elizabeth’s previous as well as productions for GUILDERNSTEIN ARE DEAD edge, while referencing costume designs for Auckland the Auckland Festival and and INTO THE WOODS. Oscar’s world, to delight the Theatre Company include Southern Opera. Her work has audience with its daring SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, also been seen in VERGE and Other works include THE in much the same way the THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS, SMASHING SWEET VIXEN SCENE, CREDITORS, play did when it was first DESIGN FOR LIVING, MY (Royal New Zealand Ballet), IL TROVATORE, TRUE performed. NAME IS GARY COOPER, AMATA (Black Grace Dance WEST, THE THREEPENNY THE PILLOWMAN, SWEET Company), TENT (Michael OPERA, CHESS, ROMEO CHARITY, TWELFTH NIGHT, Parmenter Dance Company) AND JULIET, TITUS DOUBT, THE DUCHESS and TAMA MA (Okareka ANDRONICUS, TWELFTH OF MALFI, EQUUS and Dance Company). NIGHT, F.I.L.T.H, ASSASSINS, WAITING FOR GODOT. WAIORA, CAT ON A HOT The costume design for TIN ROOF, DECADENCE, EQUUS was accepted for the ON THE RAZZLE, CHICAGO, Prague Design Quadrennial THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, 2007 as part of the New BARBER OF SEVILLE, COSI Zealand exhibit BLOW – the In Germany the play is called Wilde’s plays had reached Bet you Ernst sein ist alles (“Being a pinnacle of success, and Ernst is everything”, Ernst anything new from the being both a first name playwright was eagerly didn’t and the German word for awaited. The press were serious). In French, the always hungry for details and know play is commonly known would pursue stories about as De l’importance d’être new plots and characters with The successful opening Constant, Constant being a vengeance. To combat this night of this play marked the both a (mildly uncommon) first Wilde gave the play a working climax of Wilde’s career but name and also the quality of title, LADY LANCING. also heralded his impending steadfastness. downfall. The Marquess of Queensberry, father of The words bunbury and Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred bunburying, meanwhile, are Douglas, attempted to enter used to imply double lives EDEN Eden has been composing the theatre, intending to and as excuses for absences, MULHOLLAND music for theatre and throw vegetables at the are—according to a letter contemporary dance since playwright when he took from Aleister Crowley to SOUND DESIGNER 2000. For Auckland Theatre his bow at the end of the Sir R.H. Bruce Lockhart— Company, his recent sound “Working alongside Colin, show. Wilde was tipped an inside joke that came design credits include SHE we have explored popular off and Queensberry was about after Wilde boarded STOOPS TO CONQUER, music of the 60's era. refused admission. However, a train at Banbury on which THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS, An age of free love, Queensberry’s hostility to he met a schoolboy. They FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, flower power and the Wilde was soon to trigger got into conversation and DESIGN FOR LIVING, MY massive upheaval of the latter’s legal travails subsequently arranged to NAME IS GARY COOPER social responsibility, and eventual imprisonment. meet again at Sunbury.v and THE PILLOWMAN. Other freedom of expression Wilde’s notoriety caused the compositions for live theatre and breaking rules. The play, despite its success, include TENT by Michael music is meant to reflect to be closed after only 83 Parmenter, MINIATURES by the themes of escapism, performances. He never Malia Johnston, CARNIVAL avoidance of unwelcome wrote another play. HOUND by Maria Dabrowska social obligations and Early in his relationship with to name a few. Wilde's hilarious characters When Wilde handed his Lord Alfred Douglas, Wilde that satirise all things Eden is the founding member final draft of the play over to and his wife visited Douglas’ Victorian.” of Mulholland Sound, a theatrical impresario George mother, Lady Queensberry, company dedicated to Alexander it was complete in who wanted to talk to them providing comprehensive, four acts. The actor manager about her son’s lack of cutting edge music for radio, of the St. James’ Theatre academic achievements (he television, film, theatre and soon began a reworking of left Oxford without a degree) On 19 October 2007, a rare the web. Currently, he is the play (whether to provide and extravagant habits. first edition of the play was working on a handful of space for a ‘warmer’ or for Lady Queensberry lived in discovered in a branch of commercial projects and a musical interlude, as was Bracknell. Oxfam in Nantwich, Cheshire, recording his Motocade’s often the bill, is not entirely coincidentally in a handbag; sophomore album. clear). Wilde agreed to the ironically mimicking the cuts and various elements discovery of Jack Worthing of the second and third acts as an infant. Staff at the shop were combined. The ensuing said they had no idea who I can resist anything but three act play is the version donated the items. The book temptation. that opened in London and has a mark on the inside cover also the version usually stating that it was numbered —LADY performed and published 349 out of 1,000 copies and WINDERMERE’S FAN ever since. was sold for £650. YOUNG AND HUNGRY

FESTIVALBy popular demand this exciting festival is back! Showcasing three new New Zealand plays written specifically for 15 – 25 OF NEW THEATRE year olds, YOUNG AND HUNGRY offers theatre-obsessed young Aucklanders the EXCHANGE opportunity to be actors, designers, stage written and directed by managers, publicists and backstage crew Lauren Jackson whilst being mentored by professional theatre practitioners. 6.30pm Local audiences have the chance to see this fresh new work up close in an exclusive THINNING season at The Basement. You can spread All photos from the 2009 festival by by Eli Kent your viewing across the season or do the Michael Smith directed by Laurel Devenie marathon by seeing all three plays in one OYSTER by Vivienne Plumb, night. directed by Julie Nolan 8.00pm Produced in association with the Young and SIT ON IT by Georgina Titheridge, FITZ BUNNY LUST Hungry Arts Trust (Wellington), the festival directed by Ben Crowder takes place simultaneously in both cities. URBAN HYMNS by Miria George, FOR GLORY Discover Auckland’s exciting young talent directed by Michelle Johansson by Grant Buist and tomorrow’s stars! directed by Simon Coleman “It is possibly the best way to break into the theatre circuit professionally as a 9.30pm young person, with roles tailored to our The Basement age group, the professional appeal of well regarded playwrights, cast, venue and 9 – 24 July crew. And of course recognition with the Tuesdays – Saturdays prestigious Auckland Theatre Company.” — Chye-Ling Huang Assistant Director, OYSTER, Young & Hungry 2009 ENTERTAIN LIKE WILDE

RASPBERRY AND Method: WHITE CHOCOLATE 1. Line a baking tray (say 180 x 180mm) with LAMINGTONS baking paper 2. Melt white chocolate and butter in bain-marie Ingredients (makes 10 portions) 3. Whisk eggs and sugar in mixer until light White chocolate and creamy curvature...... 300g 4. Mix together the melted chocolate and Butter...... 200g egg mixture Eggs ...... 5 5. Fold in sifted flour Sugar...... ½ cup Martin Smith from 6. Pour cake mixture into a baking tray and Dawsons shares his Flour...... 1 cup bake at 160 degrees for 40mins thoughts on the Baking powder...... 1 tsp 7. Once the cake is cool, cut into rise of the Modern Raspberry jelly...... 200g 30 x 30mm cubes High Tea and two Desiccated coconut.... 200g 8. Melt jelly in a cup of boiling water of their most popular 9. Dip cubes (30 seconds) into the raspberry jelly whilst jelly is warm teatime recipes. 10. Coat the cubes with the desiccated coconut, cool and serve Catering is theatre; a true Afternoon tea may well have interact with each other performance which requires gained a reputation as being Our venues with outdoor dedication, attention to detail the preserve of the elderly, but spaces like The Kelliher Estate and plenty of rehearsal! lately the number of people and the Grand Lawn at Old Dawsons are experts at this. rediscovering this nostalgic Government House have SMOKED CHEDDAR, Method: treat has been growing We love to take old customs seen a significant increase in 1. Cut butter into small cubes and work noticeably. OREGANO AND SUNDRIED like the ‘High Tea’ and cast activity with clients wanting to TOMATO SCONES into sifted flour a modern wand over the More and more events are combine a fantastic afternoon 2. Add in eggs and buttermilk and knead presentation and content following this theme: social tea menu with the versatility of into dough of the menu. gatherings, product launches an outside area. Ingredients (makes 12 portions) 3. Fold in half of the smoked cheddar, and family celebrations. These Flour...... 3 cups The modern high tea is more tomatoes and oregano events take people out of the Baking Powder ...... ½ tsp closely related to the afternoon normal function environments Butter...... 150g 4. Flour surface and divide into 12 portions tea: dainty sandwiches, scones and place them in relaxed Eggs...... 2 5. Egg wash top and sprinkle remainder of with cream and jam and tea and calm surroundings like Buttermilk...... 300ml cheddar and oregano on top sipped from fine bone china. a sculpture garden or an Smoked cheddar ...... 200g (grated) There is something quite 6. Bake scones at 180 degrees for 15mins ornamental rooftop terrace. Sundried tomatoes...... 150g (sliced) special about sitting down to a on oiled baking tray Oregano ...... 3 tsp traditional afternoon tea. Displaying a delightful selection of ‘teatime items’ on an array of eclectic service trays, I adore simple pleasures. positioned on overflowing They are the last refuge of colourful central buffets really the complex. entices your guests to peruse —THE PICTURE OF what is being offered and DORIAN GRAY AUCKLAND SILO BATS DOWNSTAGE FORTUNE THEATRE THEATRE THEATRE THEATRE THEATRE COMPANY Auckland Wellington Wellington Dunedin THE NEW ZEALAND THAT FACE THE SECOND TEST BIOGRAPHY OF BUBBLEWRAP AND POST SEASON OF By Polly Stenham Presented by MY SKIN BOXES HORSEPLAY WHAT’S Aunty Mavis Productions By Miranda Harcourt Presented by Herald Theatre 16 Mar – 27 Mar By Ken Duncum 19 Mar – 10 Apr 8 Apr – 24 Apr Asking For Trouble 18 Mar – 20 Mar 2010 ON IN Maidment Theatre Based on a true event THE In this hilarious and often When children are forced to SECOND TEST tells the 6 May – 29 May act like parents, and parents outrageous autobiographical Asking for Trouble presents THEATRES stories of New Zealand’s show, Miranda Harcourt gets their award winning, Come and watch two of ignore their duties, who 1953 underdog cricket team caught in a script written delightful and high-energy our most eccentric men of has the right to dictate the AROUND as they embark on their by her husband Stuart family show. This little story letters as they clash over future? Written with youthful maiden tour to South Africa. McKenzie. The ongoing about how to live bravely booze, horses, women and swagger, tremendous heart THE conflict unveils a surprisingly in a big world is told using the nature of the creative act. and a dark, mischievous After a long sea voyage the moving portrait of a marriage acrobatics, clowning and a Duncum’s hilarious imagining sense of humour, Stenham team reaches its destination as well as an entertaining whole lot of cardboard boxes. COUNTRY? of a meeting between James explores the strains of and their campaign social history of the last forty K Baxter and Ronald Hugh neglect and active abuse. commences in earnest. years. Morrieson is full of witty Then suddenly back home To find out what else is going and rambunctious language CENTREPOINT tragedy strikes as the on in Auckland be sure to read and is a cock-eyed salute to Tangiwai disaster unfolds. THE COURT the latest copy of literary genius. THEATRE THEATRE Presented as part of the Palmerston North CIRCA Christchurch Auckland Writers and FOUR FLAT WHITES THEATRE Readers Festival THE FEMALE OF IN ITALY Wellington THE SPECIES By Roger Hall THE LETTER 10 Apr – 29 May By Joanna Murray-Smith WRITER 27 Mar – 8 May With a copy of “Lonely Planet” in one hand and By Juliet O’Brien Fashionably famous feminist an Italian phrase book in 7 Mar – 21 Mar author Margot Mason has the other, recently retired A young exile engages the always been deadlier and librarians Adrian and Alison services of a letter-writer to cleverer than any male she feel prepared to face the send love letters to the wife has ever encountered. So excitement of la bella Italia. he has left behind. Fascinated when she’s held hostage But when their best friends by the energy and idealism in her comfortable country suddenly drop out of the trip, of the young exile, the letter- home Margot’s indignity It is absurd to divide people are they really ready to share writer finds both a new lease knows no bounds. into good and bad. People their precious holiday with of life and the son he never are either charming or their new neighbours? had. But soon the arrival of a tedious. letter will change everything. —LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN SEASON OF AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR — Colin McColl GENERAL MANAGER — Lester McGrath CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION MANAGER — Lynne Cardy LITERARY MANAGER— Philippa Campbell ARTS MANAGEMENT INTERN — Catherine Nola ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND AWARDED TEACHER FELLOWSHIP — Kerry Lynch ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PRODUCTION — Mark Gosling SENIOR STAGE MANAGER — Fern Christie TECHNICAL MANAGER — Bonnie Burrill MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER — Michael Adams PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER — Anna Connell TICKETING & SALES MANAGER — Anna Nuria Francino MARKETING ASSISTANT — Rachel Chin HORSEPLAY TICKETING & SALES REPRESENTATIVES — Lisa Sorensen & David Whittet by Ken Duncum OPERATIONS MANAGER — Brendan Devlin Starring Tim Balme FINANCE OFFICER — Kerry Tomlin Toni Potter RECEPTIONIST — Sue East Elizabeth McRae ATC BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Leigh CHAIR — Kit Toogood QC, Anne Hinton QC, Dayle Mace MNZM, Gordon Moller ONZM, Declan Mordaunt, Patricia Watson MAIDMENT THEATRE DIRECTOR — Paul Minifie BUSINESS MANAGER — Margo Athy BOX OFFICE MANAGER — Blair Cooper TECHNICAL MANAGER — Rob McDonald FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER — Will Gaisford MAIDMENT TECHNICIAN — Aaron Paap

ATC PATRONS ATC’S 2010 SUPPORTING ACTS THUS FAR... Margaret Anderson Len and Heather Jury Our Standing Ovation Adrian Burr and Peter Tatham Ross and Paulette Laidlaw Supporters John Barnett Philippa Smith-Lambert Betsy and Mike Benjamin Roger and Dianne Hall Peter Bolot and Chris Lambert Noel and Kerrin Vautier Mary Brook Hillary Liddell and Andrew MacIntosh John and Stephanie Clark Our Curtain Call Supporters Chris and Dayle Mace Robin and Erika Congreve Christine Campbell Laurie Matthews and Koen Boons Paul and Anne Hargreaves Paul and Barbie Cook Jackie and Philip Mills Fay Pankhurst Mike Smith and Dale D’Rose Declan and Geraldine Mordaunt Elizabeth Sheppard Trevor and Jan Farmer Denver and Prue Olde James K Baxter and Ronald In HORSEPLAY, Ken Duncum’s Presented as part of the Auckland Stephen and Virginia Fisher For more information about Scott and Yael Perkins how you can support Hugh Morrieson were two great hilarious imagining of a meeting Writers and Readers Festival. Cameron and Fiona Fleming Maria Renhart Auckland Theatre Company visit mavericks of New Zealand between the two in Hawera, 1972, Michael Friedlander Geoff and Fran Ricketts www.atc.co.nz/partnerships literature. These wildly different the absurdities pile up as Baxter Maidment Theatre Dame Jenny Gibbs Lady Tait or call Anna Connell, but equally eccentric men of letters and Morrieson find themselves Michael and Stephanie Gowan 09 309 0390 ext. 72 Kit Toogood and Pip Muir never crossed paths — or if they sharing the stage with the back May 6 – May 29 Ross and Josephine Green Simon Vannini and Anita Killeen Antonia Fisher and Stuart Grieve did, they kept it quiet. Until now... end of a horse and enduring the Book on 308 2383 Aki and Jane von Roy John and Sue Haigh interruptions of a dotty aunt and James Wallace www.atc.co.nz Rod and Penny Hansen would-be girlfriend Wilma. Evan and Katie Williams Anne and Peter Hinton Full of witty and rambunctious Michael and Rosie Horton language, HORSEPLAY is a Peter and Sally Jackson cockeyed salute to literary genius and the nature of the creative act. Subscribe and Save! Choose four or more plays in our 2010 season to subscribe. Not only will you save $10 a ticket, you’ll be able to swap nights within a season if your original booking no longer suits!

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST starring Elizabeth Hawthorne, Lisa Chappell HORSEPLAY starring Elizabeth McRae, Tim Balme, Toni Potter STEPPING OUT starring Annie Whittle, Goretti Chadwick ROMEO AND JULIET starring Brooke Williams, Michael Whalley, Stuart Devenie AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Alison Quigan, Stuart Devenie, Hera Dunleavy CABARET starring Amanda Billing Call Auckland Theatre Company on 09 309 3395 for your free 2010 season brochure