WHAT’S ON @ Takapuna Library Ruthless interrogation drives upcoming thriller at PumpHouse

A tense thriller by a successful New Zealand playwright is being staged at the PumpHouse Theatre later this month.

An Unseasonable Fall of Snow is a psychological thriller about an interrogation in which a ruthless investigator, Arthur, is determined to obtain a confession from the accused, Liam.

Director James Bell told the Observer the story keeps the audience guessing. “You never know what’s going to happen next.”

The play was written in 1998 by Aucklander Gary Henderson, whose works have been professionally produced in South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and the United States, as well as New Zealand.

His most well-travelled play, Skin Tight, won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1998

Exhibition:

Combined Cosmologies

Angela Morton Room

Te Pātaka Toi Art Library

Level 1, Takapuna Library

Until 27 August 2023

Beach Haven artist Pauline Thompson (1942-2012) was inspired by a deep knowledge of Polynesian history and mythologies and was a direct descendant of ‘Bounty’ mutineer Fletcher Christian and his Tahitian wife, Mauatua. Convinced that the spiritual pervades all of nature and humanity, Pauline’s vibrant paintings depict unexpected linkages between the everyday and the cosmic.

We are exhibiting paintings and artefacts associated with Pauline’s highly creative life in a show that coincides with the first retrospective of her work being held at Pah Homestead. Both exhibitions are curated by Peter Shaw.

School holiday fun

Come celebrate Matariki with Takapuna Library these school holidays! From the 1st to the 16th of July, there will be a range of free activities on at Takapuna Library for tamariki (children), all themed around the nine whetu (stars) of Matariki. You can sing waiata (songs), do arts and crafts, take part in our star scavenger hunt or paper plane competition, or add your hopes to our Wishing Wall. Check out our event schedule in the library or on Facebook.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY Kathryn Robertson

Residential Sales 021 490 480

Henderson, who for six years taught playwriting at Unitec’s School of Performing and Screen Arts, runs writing-for-theatre classes at the PumpHouse, teaching attendees how to craft 10-minute plays.

Christopher Raven will take on the role of Arthur at the PumpHouse, while Matthew Diesch will portray Liam.

Sinead O’Flynn is an understudy for both roles and will play either character in two of the six shows.

Bell said since Covid it has been important to make sure productions have good back-up for cast members. Actors used to be able to soldier on when they had a cold, but a Covid case could derail a whole show.

O’Flynn had the challenge of learning the mannerisms, traits, dialogue and blocking of two different characters, said Bell.

“It’s been interesting rehearsing it and seeing how the three different actors interpret the characters.”

The play is being put on by local theatre company Foolish Wit, which was started by Bell in 2015, with the goal of occupying the middle ground between community and professional theatre.

It aims to give opportunities to actors, directors and others to experience semi-professional theatre and transition into making money, Bell said.

The company shares all profits. It operates without a home base, so stores equipment in private cars and cupboards, and rehearses in either Takapuna or Milford, depending on what venues it can get access to.

“We’d rather put the money into the productions and doing a good job,” Bell said. • An Unseasonable Fall of Snow, 27 June to 2 July, at the Coal Bunker at the PumpHouse. Tickets at pumphouse.co.nz

by Enid Blyton

The PumpHouse Theatre, Auckland 24 June - 15 July timbray.org.nz

E: Kathryn.robertson@bayleys.co.nz

W: kathrynrobertson.bayleys.co.nz LICENSED

Fan girls... Students from Westlake Girls High School show their dance skills while wearing traditional costumes in a performance during a special Korean Night held this month. Drumming, classical music, martial arts and K-pop were among other performances.

Show back for Matariki

The play .co.nz is returning to the PumpHouse Theatre for Matariki, with a season running from 11-15 July.

The story follows three friends navigating their way through modern life, dealing with issues such as discrimination, relationships and connecting with te ao Māori. Find out more at pumphouse.co.nz.