Auditions – Hilda’s Yard

Open Auditions will be held at 10.30am on Sunday 24th March 2024 (other times available on request).
You will be asked to read at least two excerpts from the listed pieces that will be sent with script. You are not expected to memorize the pieces, but please be familiar with them. A monologue or specific piece for each character will also be provided. Please choose one to read, however this will not limit the roles you will be considered for, if you are interested in multiple roles. All auditionees will be notified of the outcome of the audition via phone or email by 9pm on Wednesday March 27th.
Rehearsals will commence the week of 22nd April. Director’s preference is Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays but this is not set in concrete, and days and times can be negotiated with cast. Playing dates: 9-20 July 2024.

For a copy of the script and the audition pieces: CONTACT: Sharren Read, Director
EMAIL: shar2260@gmail.com
PHONE: 027 255 4124

THE SYNOPSIS:
It’s 1962, and the Flucks are relishing their freedom now that their 30-something children have finally left the nest. Suddenly their son flings himself over the garden fence on the run from the mob, followed by his sister who has just left her husband. As Hilda’s yard fills with unexpected guests, the stakes and the laughs grow in this heartwarming family comedy.
The generation gap between the parents and the children is large and what may seem like far out ideas to the parents are reasonable to the new generation. The contrast between generations and the difficulties in seeing a situation in someone else’s shoes, especially when your values are set in stone is a major theme in the play. Hilda’s Yard is chock-full of Foster’s well- known humour, even as it delves into the depths of the serious issues of Gary’s post-traumatic stress disorder and Janey’s spousal abuse. The contradictions inherent in the quirky characters lead to many comedic moments. In the end, despite the challenges of the day ties of love, family, and friendship prevail and we come to understand that family dynamics really have not changed much over the decades.

CHARACTER ROLES:
HILDA FLUCK: approx mid 50s – Appears to be naïve and vulnerable but has a great maternal strength about her and really is the glue that holds the family together.
SAM FLUCK: approx mid 50s – Hilda’s husband. The family breadwinner, works at a paper products manufacturing plant. Feels unappreciated by his employer. Excited to finally become an empty-nester.
GARY FLUCK: approx early 30s – Son, WW2 veteran who lived with parents until recently. Affected by war, making poor choices, relies on parents, lost!
JANEY FLUCK: approx early 30s – Daughter, married, comes across as spoiled “Daddy’s girl”, but her true self is much deeper.
BOBBI JAKES: Female, approx early 30s – Gary’s love interest, musician, a firecracker, hip and free-spirited…think 1960s bohemian/hippy.
BEVERLY WOYTOWICH: Male, around 40 – A nefarious gangster-type. Gary owes an outstanding gambling debt and Bev shows up there to collect it! Very intelligent and well spoken for a thug.

TOSCARS

Our annual TOSCARS were held on Friday 23rd February. The Toscars celebrate the truly talented people who create the amazing shows you see on stage at Little Theatre. Adjudicated again this year by Krystal and Mark Leuthard. Hosted by the amusing duo, Stella McCallum and Bryan Vickery, along with a few entertaining comedy skits, and some fantastic musical numbers from Karen Clarke and Elicia-May Hitchcock. A fun night of merriment was had by all.

Congratulations to all our winners!

President’s Cup . ………………GILLIAN GIBBON      

Front of House Trophy…………PHIL BATES      

Best Club Member……………..CHRISTINE KING

Technical Excellence … NATHAN GRANGE      

Backstage Excellence…. JESSICA KNIGHT      

Best Set …………..TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Most Promising Actress…….SOPHIE FINN Twas the Fight Before Christmas

Best Supporting Actress…… NICCI SMITH  The Sunshine Boys    

Best Supporting Actor…… MIKE BUGBEE The Sunshine Boys 

Best Lead Actress……….. KELSEY MCEWAN Perfect Arrangement

Best Actor in a Lead Role …. DAVID ROHE The Sunshine Boys       

Best Play………PERFECT ARRANGEMENT

Distinguished Services to the Theatre…… VIVIENNE BATY

Spotlight on… Social Climbers

Beginning with the Dolphin Theatre, Auckland in the seventies, Steve took his passion of the theatre to the next level with papers at Massey University and workshops with qualified practitioners, earning a place on the books of one of NZ’s top acting Agents ‘Auckland Actor’s. Landing roles on some high profile TV series such as Hercules and Xena in the 90’s, he can still be seen on screen with the occasional TV commerical.

A short OE to Oxford England gave Steve a chance at playing in outdoor Shakespeare productions in the Grounds of Trinity College and Merton College, and while there he directed ‘The Memory Of Water’ For the Oxford Theatre Guild.

An enthusiastic supporter of Sir Roger Hall’s plays, (at last count Steve has directed four of them!), Steve is pleased to bring his directing talents to ‘Social Climbers’ for New Plymouth Little Theatre. 

SOCIAL CLIMBERS, hits the stage in April.  It was penned by Sir Roger Hall KNZM QSO, who is one of New Zealand’s most successful playwrights, best known for comedies with a vein of social criticism.

His most well-known plays are ‘Glide Time’, which was produced in 1976, and later made for television in New Zealand as ‘Gliding On’, and ‘Middle Age Spread’ which was made into a feature film.

Hall is a pre-eminent observer, with the talent to go beyond the smart one-liners, and often picks on the angst and aggravations of the middle class. From that gentle dig at the public service in ‘Gliding On’, and 1987’s ‘The Share Club’, (the year the markets crashed on Black Friday and Mortifying Monday), to ‘Social Climbers’ in 1995 where five teachers go mad in a tramping hut, and ‘The Book Club’ in 1999.

Earlybird tickets for Social Climbers are available now until 19th February, so be in quick to get the best seats in the house: 👇

https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2024/apr/nplt-social-climbers

Social Climbers

With rehearsals well under way and a good part of the set built things are starting to ramp up for the next production, Roger Hall’s SOCIAL CLIMBERS, directed by Steve Wright.

This classic kiwi comedy is a hilarious tale of adventure and discovery, as a high school teacher, four colleagues, and a reluctant daughter embark on an expedition in the mountains.  Armed with wine casks and wit, they hunker down for a girls-night-out of a very different sort, and encounter truth, consequences, and unexpected revelations… 

You won’t want to miss this talented bunch of fiesty females!! 

Earlybird Tickets are on sale NOW!  With special pricing only available until 19th February.  Be in quick to secure your seats for this kiwi classic.

Head over to iTicket using the link below 👇

https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2024/apr/nplt-social-climbers

**Audition Notice**

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 1st May 2022.

For further information or scripts please contact Terry Darby

0278608626 or email Piratedarby53@gmail.com

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