Howick Little Theatre News

Help Wanted

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:42:46 +1300

The theatre urgently requires volunteers to help deliver postcards and/or posters to letterboxes, shops, libraries and information centres around Howick and in the Eastern suburbs. If you can help, even in a small way, please call the office, 534-1406, or email us. And if you would like to take over the organisation of this distribution, we would love to hear from you.

Come Out To Play At HLT

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:31:48 +1300

Looking for something different to do in 2012? Just arrived in the area and want to meet some new people? How about being part of a talented and creative backstage team helping to put a production together? HLT’s directors are looking for volunteers for the following roles:

Entertaining Angels – a comedy by Richard Everett. Season: July 14 to August 4

Director Peter Meikle (0272-782468)

Lighting Designer, Backstage Assistants, Lighting/Sound Operators and Wardrobe Designer.

Peninsula – a Kiwi drama by Gary Henderson. Season: September 8 to 29

Director Terry Hooper (533-6112)

Lighting Designer, Production Co-ordinator, Backstage Assistants, Lighting/Sound Operators, Props Co-ordinator, and Wardrobe Designer.

Ladies For Hire – a Kiwi comedy by Alison Quigan. Season: November 10 to December 1

Director Rae McGregor (578-0125)

Lighting/Sound Operators.

For more information or to offer your services, please contact the directors NOW. They'd love to hear from you.

Costume Hire

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:33:17 +1300

Need something to wear to a fancy-dress party or period event? Click for information on costume hire, or phone 534-1406 for more information.

Gift Subscriptions

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:57:02 +1300

A Howick Little Theatre Subscription is an ideal gift for the theatre lover in your life. An original and imaginative idea for birthdays, thank-yous or any occasion, gift subscriptions are available throughout the year for between two and five shows. Gift subscriptions can be purchased online or from the theatre. We will post them to you or your chosen recipient in an attractive wallet with a copy of our season brochure and a personal message. See Subscriptions for details.

Production of the Year

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:38:55 +1300

Congratulations to director Anton Bentley and the cast and crew of Some Girl(s), which won the Best Production Award for 2011. Congratulations also to Merit Award winners: Emma Love, Elaine Dwyer, Rosie Elder, Caroline Greig, Chris Jeram, Rae McGregor and Marion Wood.

Lion Foundation Grant

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:37:17 +1300

Thanks to the Lion Foundation for a $10,000 grant towards new sound equipment. The purchase will give us much greater flexibility when it comes to designing soundscapes for HLT productions. The new equipment will also enhance the quality of the sound experience for theatregoers.

2012 Season of Plays

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:07:26 +1300

Welcome to Howick Little Theatre's 2012 Season.

The Priory

A comedy by Michael Wynne

Directed by Adey Ramsel

“The Big Chill meets Agatha Christie.” –- Guardian.

Kate is delighted when she finds a perfect country retreat for her New Year’s Eve celebrations, and she invites her closest friends to join her. But she finds these successful professionals in search of a good time in the sticks can make for a less-than-ideal party … and some surprising resolutions! This play, winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, takes a microscope to modern dilemmas about life, love and retro board games. The New Zealand premiere. Contains adult language and themes.

By arrangement with Play Bureau NZ.

Season: March 3 to 24, 8pm. Matinees: March 4 & 11, 6pm

As You Like It

A comedy by William Shakespeare

Directed by Judy Rankin

“A constant feeling of wit, mischief and sexual attraction.” – Telegraph. Exiled from home and forced to wander the forest with a clown … what’s a girl to do? How about fool everyone by dressing like a guy. Setting his play against a backdrop of sibling rivalry and political intrigue, the Bard draws on his signature themes of disguise, misplaced affections and pastoral passion to create this enchanting tale in which Rosalind and a merry band of wanderers find adventure and love in the Forest of Arden. As You Like It is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.

Season: May 12 to June 2, 8pm. Matinees: May 13 & 20, 6pm

Entertaining Angels

A comedy by Richard Everett

Directed by Peter Meikle

“Funny, touching and genuinely thought-provoking comedy.” –- Daily Telegraph

As a clergy wife, Grace has spent a lifetime on her best behaviour. But now, newly widowed, she is enjoying the new-found freedom to say and do exactly what she likes. However, a visit from her eccentric missionary sister and some extraordinary revelations bring Grace back to her earthly senses. With its sharp-edged comedy and probing wit, this acclaimed play has been described as “a surefire hit”. “The laughter constantly bubbles to the surface.” –- British Theatre Guide.

The New Zealand premiere. By arrangement with Play Bureau NZ.

Season: July 14 to August 4, 8pm. Matinees: July 15 & 22, 6pm

Peninsula

A drama by Gary Henderson

Directed by Terry Hooper

“Peninsula makes the ordinary universal, timeless and extraordinary.” –- NBR.

Michael Hope is 10 and sleeps on a volcano. It is the 1960s, and he lives at the edge of the ancient flooded crater now known as Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Inspired by a new year and a new teacher, Michael sets out to map his home ground, charting his history in the sheltering hills and bush. But not all volcanoes are extinct. Rumblings in the adult world encroach into Michael’s life, throwing his universe into chaos. A feast for the imagination, Peninsula fuses light, sound, space and language into story magic.

The Auckland premiere. By arrangement with Playmarket.

Season: September 8 to 29, 8pm. Matinees: September 9 & 16, 6pm

Ladies For Hire

A comedy by Alison Quigan

Directed by Rae McGregor

“Laced with quick, earthy and ironic wit.” –- Manawatu Standard.

Christenings, weddings, funerals – these women have sung at them all. But when a young parish priest arrives who’s determined to impress the Bishop, the first thing he does is sack the choir, striking more than a few sour notes. It’s drama on the high Cs! The choir try to stay together, booking themselves out as entertainment for stag parties and gorilla-grams, but it doesn’t make for harmonious relationships. Can they get back in tune in time for the festive season?

The Auckland premiere. By arrangement with Playmarket.

Season: Nov 10 to Dec 1, 8pm. Matinees: Nov 11 & 18, 6pm

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'Sir Len' Salutes the Theatre

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:44:34 +1300

Mayor Len Brown visited the theatre to look at the facilities and discuss the theatre's future plans. His visit was reported in the Howick and Pakuranga Times (13/9/09).

He was photographed during the visit with (from left): Kathy Bigwood (office manager), David Gifford (vice-president; at back), Margaret Nash (president), The Queen aka Judy Rankin, committee members Alison Mudford and Rae McGregor, and Nikita the dog.

BUSINESS AWARDS FINALIST

Howick Little Theatre has also been in the news elsewhere, having been chosen as a finalist in the 2009 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards. Thirty-two finalists were selected from 120 entries, and HLT, a first-time entrant, was the first theatre to be a finalist in the 16-year history of the awards. The category was for Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality. Read more.

AUCKLAND COMMUNITY THEATRE

The theatre also featured in The Aucklander's 2009 cover story on the future of the city's community theatre.