Traffic disruption flagged ahead of bridge build... p4
Jane Austen updated in PumpHouse show... p14-15
Halloween marred by violent attacks in Takapuna
Two groups of youths, some in masks, assaulted lone men in two separate attacks at the Takapuna bus station on Halloween night. Both attacks were on apparently homeless men, a witness told the Observer. In the second, the victim was repeatedly kicked in the head while on the ground.
The first assault was around 6pm on 31 October, when a group of 12 to 15 youths dressed in black hoodies, black jeans and Halloween masks kicked and punched a man sitting on a bus-stop bench on the eastern side of Lake Rd at the southern end of the bus station.
A man who was dining at Cousin Scott’s, a restaurant and bar which opened recently in the premises formerly occupied by Madam Woo, said he heard a commotion after two other people leaving the venue stepped in to confront the attackers.
To page 2
Young artist weaves her magic
Art from the heart... Rebecca Stoll, a Year 6 student at Takapuna Primary, stands by a work she created for the school’s recent art exhibition. The weaving is inspired by the colours of her homeland Brazil. Her visiting grandmother was able to see the show, which attracted many parents. More pictures, pages 8-9.
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Victim repeatedly kicked in head
From page 1
He, another diner and the restaurant owner went outside and saw the youths fleeing.
The man, a Takapuna resident, said he heard from other locals that some of the youths were bailed up by police on Byron Ave, near the Spencer on Byron building.
A director of Cousin Scott’s, Scott Ruddock, said the offenders appeared to be young teenagers.
Another witness said the youngsters “ran away like cowards” when confronted.
police they’re too busy.”
The presence of homeless people in Takapuna was “definitely” increasing, a woman who lives near the town centre told the Observer.
She said her neighbour – who had been walking her grandson to Takapuna Library for Halloween activities on the evening of the attacks – had counted eight people who appeared to be living on the streets.
Salt said the TRA had written to both the Minister of Police, Mark Mitchell, and local MP Simon Watts about the lack of visible police presence in the area, but had not received any feedback.
“These incidents at the bus station underline that there probably needs to be more done for youth in the area,” he added.
In the second attack, on the western side of Lake Rd and closer to Como St, around 11pm, Ruddock said another man at the bus stop was kicked to the ground by a group of around seven older youths – four males and three females. The man was repeatedly kicked while on the ground, including multiple times to the head.
Ruddock said the victim was helped away by another man.
The youths hung around the scene for a short time before leaving on two buses, one of them the Milford-bound 82 service.
Ruddock said he called police around 10.54pm and they arrived around 11.10pm, after the offenders had left the scene.
The incidents have heightened local concerns about misbehaving youths congregating in Takapuna and a lack of police patrols.
The Observer is aware of other recent scuffles reported at the bus station and nearby. The Takapuna Residents Association (TRA) and the Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA) have both called for a greater police presence.
“The ongoing feeling is that they [police] have abandoned Takapuna in favour of the central city and that has pushed problems our way,” said TRA chair Steven Salt.
“The feedback we get is if you call the
In answer to Observer queries about the Halloween assaults, police said they had received a report of disorder involving a group of youths on Byron Ave around 7.50pm. Police attended and spoke to parties involved. No injuries were reported in relation to the disorder.
“Police will be making further enquiries into the matter.”
Around 11pm, reports were received of a group of young people assaulting a man in the vicinity of the bus station on Lake Rd. When police arrived, “the reported victim had moved on from the area”.
Witnesses had given “differing accounts” of what had taken place. “Unfortunately there were no further lines of inquiry available in relation to these reports.”
Auckland police had in the past week made hundreds of “reassurance visits” to transport hubs, including the Takapuna bus station.
The visits followed a fatal stabbing on a bus in Onehunga on 23 October.
• Bus station ‘needs upgrade’, page 6
Authorised by Hon Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Night nurse clocks up 50 years’ service at Lady Allum
When night nurse Alayne Pollard started work at a Milford retirement home after immigrating from the UK, she thought she would be there for a short time until something else came up.
“Little did I know I would love the job and working at Lady Allum Village so much I would still be here 50 years later,” she says.
A celebration to mark her lengthy service was hosted recently by village owner Oceania, with Pollard recounting the changes since she began work as a healthcare assistant in 1974.
“In the early years, my night duties were written down on the back of a brown paper bag which I carried around for a few years. We had a very competent registered nurse who made sure everything was done correctly and well. We have always had first-class facilities for residents but it is a lot bigger now.”
Pollard arrived on the North Shore with her husband Kevin and three young children. She had experience in a general hospital as a night auxiliary nurse and saw the job advertised in the local paper.
“I knew very little about Milford, rest homes or Lady Allum Village but thought it would do while I looked around for something else.”
Among her early patients was Lady Annie Allum, for whom the village was named and who lived in the rest home from 1972 to 1982.
One of the reasons Pollard stayed was because of the training opportunities on offer.
“We get in-depth training on specialist subjects like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This makes us qualified to care for these residents by knowing about the disease and what to expect; it also makes the job a lot more interesting and satisfying,” she says.
She also loves the friendly staff and residents and rates the village itself, with its range of facilities, gardens and the location
close to Milford shops and the beach. “It has always been a lovely place to work.”
To recognise her 50-year milestone a morning tea was held, and Pollard was presented with a trophy and flowers. Oceania business and care manager Garth Adam said Alayne was a well-loved member of
Marking the occasion... Alayne Pollard with husband Kevin after the celebration of her 50 years working at Lady Allum, and (left) on the night shift in the 1970s when she started working at the Milford facility
the team.
“Working only night shifts is not an easy job, but Alayne always manages to extend herself and go above and beyond for her residents.”
Pollard said while she was fit and able, she had “no plans to retire just yet”.
COMMUNITY MEETING
Co-hosted by Hon Simon Watts, MP for North Shore and Dan Bidois, MP for Northcote
In conjunction with Castor Bay Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association Inc and Milford Residents Association
Featuring guest speakers from Healthy Waters and a moderated Q&A session
Friday 6 December, 5.30pm
Milford Baptist Church, 3 Dodson Avenue, Milford
Major traffic disruption expected
Replacement of the near-100-year-old Inga Rd bridge over the Wairau Creek is expected to disrupt vehicle access to the Milford town centre for up to nine months.
Although construction is at least two years away, Auckland Transport (AT) is already flagging the disruption involved.
“There will be detours and delays,” AT project manager Muhanned Khiro told a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop last week.
Online consultation has opened to give the public a say on how traffic diversions and other issues might be managed.
Khiro and other AT officials outlined the need to replace a bridge in “poor” condition, which carries around 8500 vehicles a day and has stormwater, wastewater, gas and electricity infrastructure beneath the road deck.
Built in 1926, the bridge just north of the Omana Rd roundabout is used by traffic between Milford and coastal suburbs to the north.
Due to its condition, heavy vehicles have been banned from using the bridge since August last year.
Board members emphasised the need for consultation with the community and the Milford Business Association.
Board chair Toni van Tonder said the construction could cause nine months of disruption.
Member George Wood said if traffic was diverted up East Coast Rd and down Seaview Rd for travel north, considerable congestion could result, with buses, including those on school routes, also affected.
People travelling south over the bridge often used back routes via Frater Ave and Saltburn Rd to get to Takapuna, which took traffic off the Kitchener Rd shopping strip.
Detour routes for the construction period – likely starting from around the last quarter of 2026 – are yet to be settled.
Temporary traffic lights are likely to be installed to manage diversions.
The replacement bridge will be co-funded by government transport agency Waka Kotahi because it is on an arterial route. No cost for the project has yet been revealed.
Due to the age of the bridge, which AT describes as “nearing the end of its life”, Khiro said replacement rather than repair was the best option.
The new bridge would be “like for like” – still only two lanes but built to modern standards.
This “most likely” meant footpaths on both sides, which at 1.8m would be wider than the existing 1.5m-wide path on the western side of the existing structure.
Chair van Tonder asked about incorporating a cycle lane on the bridge and member Gavin Busch wondered about a shared path.
B:HIVE will be open to everyone during the next Sunday market at Smales Farm.
Whether you’re looking for office space, or just keen to have a peek, our friendly team will be available to show you around between 9am and 2pm on Sunday 10th November.
Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna. Free parking, Smales Farm Bus Station onsite.
Authorised by Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
during Milford bridge construction
But Khiro said these would need to be at least 2.5m wide and were not within the scope of the project. It might be possible to add cycle lanes to the bridge in the future.
Although detailed design work is yet to begin, Khiro said the bridge’s central concrete pier in the creek would be replaced by a longer span to piers at either side of the waterway.
The bridge may also be higher than the existing structure.
Noise should be expected from the project, with construction likely to take six months or more, Khiro said. A partial bridge closure – leaving one lane open during construction of half the bridge at a time – would inflate
costs and could double the time the project would take.
“We are still investigating, but most likely there is no value for money,” he said.
Design options are to be further scoped, followed by detailed design work and the consent process.
An AT communications manager, Vincent Evans-Welsh, said it had begun contacting stakeholders. The community would be kept informed, but the type of bridge was “not up for negotiation”, he added.
Board members sought an assurance that AT would later come back to them, so they could provide local knowledge regarding any traffic plans.
Buyout-home removals begin
Demolition or removal of flood-buyout properties in Milford has begun.
A house at 19 Alma Rd has been removed, clearance of another site at 73b Nile Rd is underway and 30b Nile Rd is next in line, a council spokesperson confirmed this week.
Their owners have accepted offers under a buyout scheme, drawn up after major floods in early 2023, for properties considered at risk of further serious flooding.
Homes being removed under the scheme should have a pink council notice on display, the spokesperson said. Contractors McMahon Services would remove homes as owners of properties completed the buyout process.
It was unknown how long removals could take, as sellers could nominate their own settlement date. “We are finding that every situation is unique, so we have enough flexibility to cater to this, while still being fair across the board.”
The spokesperson said the land from which the houses are being removed could be used for stormwater management or as parkland – or for redevelopment if major resilience projects and upgrades made that possible. • North Shore MP Simon Watts and the Milford and Castor Bay residents associations will host a public meeting next month, with the aim of providing more information for residents in local flood-prone areas.
In ‘poor’ shape... The existing Inga Rd bridge across Wairau Creek
Wheely good family fun rolls out for Halloween night at park
Bike Sunnynook staged a Halloween event aimed at families with younger children, including (above) superheroes Adam and Gean Renall and sons Arie, aged 4, and Asher (2) and (right) the Chung sisters Avril (8) and Agnes (6) who attended
with their mother. Around 70 children did a circuit with clues to complete around Sunnynook Park.
The Aberdeen Rd area was very busy with trick and treaters and Takapuna Library’s “goosebumps” event was packed.
Bus station ‘leaves passengers sheltering in doorways’
Takapuna Bus Station needs an upgrade, say Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members.
Board members were unanimous about the need for improvements after member George Wood outlined a series of issues at a board meeting last month.
Electronic timetable signs had been out of action for several months along the east side of Lake Rd by the town square, and shelters on the other side of the road were
said to provide too little protection from wind and rain. “People hide under verandahs and doorways, or behind the shelters,” said Wood.
“We’re wanting more people to travel on public transport,” he said. “The only way we’ll get it is if we get decent public transport facilities.”
Issues with the station – which serves 10 routes – had been raised with Auckland Transport (AT) for years, Wood said.
Board members asked AT and Auckland Council property arm Eke Panuku to report back on any plans for improvements.
Deputy board chair Terence Harpur pointed out that Eke Panuku had said $3 million would be spent on a bus station upgrade as its ‘Unlock Takapuna’ regeneration project progressed.
He suggested this spending be brought forward. “That station is heavily used and should have proper shelters,” he said.
Takapuna cheerleaders score top award
Takapuna Beach Business Association is celebrating winning national recognition for its community-building events, which entice locals and visitors to enjoy the fantastic destination.
At the recent 2Degrees Auckland Business Awards, the association was named winner of the Community Contribution Award, in what is a first for a business association.
Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA) chief executive, Terence Harpur, who accepted the award at a glittering ceremony at the Cordis hotel’s ballroom, was thrilled with the accolade.
He said it rewarded the hard work of the TBBA team and the far-sighted strategy of its board in backing crowdpulling events that returned dividends to the town centre, local residents and businesses.
But even more significantly the award citation got to the heart of what the TBBA was proudest of achieving – reinforcing Takapuna’s unique charms and very special sense of place and community.
The judges of the award said: “The Takapuna Beach Business Association has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community through its many events like the Winter Lights festival, benefiting local schools, businesses, and groups. Their commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive environment is truly commendable.”
The TBBA’s focus was making a real difference, judges continued.
Harpur said a packed programme of events helped keep Takapuna well and truly on the map. Its beloved beach and lakeside location meant it was already an unparalleled place in which to live, play and do business, but it was also an increasingly vibrant drawcard destination, with a growing range of hospitality, retail and recreational opportunities for people to explore. Waiwharariki Anzac Square was the ideal central space for events, with Hurstmere Reserve and the Takapuna beachfront opening up to the enticing environment.
In 2023, the TBBA delivered more
than 30 public events. These ranged from the four-day Winter Lights extravaganza attracting more than 45,000 people to seasonal favourites such as Christmas Carnival, Summer Days and an Easter Festival. A range of ethnic events provided wonderful cross-cultural experiences and relationship-building occasions, including the Chinese New Year Festival, Taste of Turkiye, and Latin and Filipino festivals.
Film nights and food trucks were community favourites. Innovative markets included Re-Generate for upcyled clothes, Dog Day Out and a Matariki-themed selection of stalls. The town square has also often been activated, with support from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, to bring artists, musicians and children’s school holiday activities into play.
Taste of Takapuna is just one of the many hospitality focussed initiatives,
with others being wine and food tours.
Chair Alex Bicheno said the TBBA’s commitment to community had never been stronger. “We successfully organised a large number of events which drew record attendance and showcased our local businesses. These events not only engage community spirit but also drive foot traffic to our shops and services and promote our businesses to a wider audience.”
Harpur said as well as hosting so many events of its own, the TBBA supported and sponsored many other groups who brought in extra people because they saw the enormous benefits Takapuna offered as a venue. This year, this included the New Zealand National Pipe Band Championships, the Takapuna Beach Cup New Zealand Waka Ama Championships and regular top-notch arts performances at the Bruce Mason and PumpHouse theatres.
Winning team… At the Cordis hotel for the Auckland Business Awards are (from left) Takapuna Beach Business Association board members Andrew Hill, Steve Shute, Glenn Read and Janet Marshall, Melissa Powell, Felicity Harpur and TBBA staff, Hannah Stoddart (marketing and events) and Chief Executive Terence Harpur.
Year
beside her inspiration page of photos of favourite things, including a football and a rose, which are reflected in her transparencies at top left
Art attack! Takapuna Primary School pupils encouraged
All the students at Takapuna Primary School recently participated in an art day, sharing their creativity with family and friends.
One mother told the Observer she was impressed with the range of art on display. “It’s high-level, I never imagined the kids could do work like this.”
“It’s been nice to get everyone in,” said principal Devika Tagg. The event had drawn one of the biggest turnouts the school has had lately, with the last art exhibition having been held pre-Covid.
Tagg said art day would usually be held every three years, alternating with a school production and a science and technology focus.
The fun event last month wrapped up more than a term of hard work. It included an afternoon welcome, kapa haka performance and fundraising food stations with dumplings, cakes and sausages.
The school stayed open into the early evening to allow working parents to come along.
Art ranged from painting and pastels to weaving and printmaking, with inspiration display boards backgrounding some pieces.
Associate principal Sarah Ochtman-Corfe said the learning module was broad, bringing in cultural components and involving students in classroom and lunchtime sessions. All of the school’s 400-plus students participated, from new entrants to seniors.
Work was themed appropriately for different age groups, while study extended beyond making art to exploring ideas behind it, such as by looking at beach and tidal environments as part of wider studies.
“The middle school did fossils, Ochtman-Corfe said. “We went
Mother helper... Rebekah Williamson and daughter Mila Wilson at the sausage sizzle, and (left)
6 pupil Addison-Rose Thorowgood,
to the [Takapuna] reef.” Students also studied the work of various artists to better understand techniques.
Year 6 student Elise Hutchinson explained how the seniors had each made a photo board, displaying places or things meaningful to them. They then translated these objects into intaglio or “scratch art” depictions, a technique whereby an image is incised with a needle and inked.
“It was good but the needle really hurts your finger after a while,” she explained. The etching was displayed on a transparency.
Paul Thorowgood and Trudy Hunt saw daughter Addison-Rose’s intaglio print. “I just love they’ve done so much amazing work and opened it up for us to see,” Trudy said.
“We’ve made the event a whole school-community event,” summed up Ochtman-Corfe.
Rechargeable hearing aids for
*Price of $1,000 per pair includes GST and the government hearing aid subsidy for eligible customers
Proud painter... Year 2 student Yuvi Silva points to her work and (above, left) Chang Liu enjoys finding out about what son Finn Rickards-Liu, aged five, has been doing at school
Thursday market idea gets cautious reception
The operator of Takapuna’s Sunday market is keen to start a weekly Thursday night market on Waiwharariki Anzac Square, aimed at a younger crowd.
Matt Jones, who took over running the market a year ago, outlined his hopes at a recent Devonport-Takapuna Local Board community forum. “We try to complement local businesses, not compete with them,” he said. But board members were concerned this might not be the case.
Hunt’s idea is for food stalls near the bus station from 4pm to 8pm, with art and craft stalls and entertainment in the central square. Shops he had spoken to were keen, he said, and he wanted to work with hospitality businesses.
Board member George Wood said he wanted to hear the views of ratepaying local businesses.
Chair Toni van Tonder said any expansion to Thursday would need strong support from local businesses. A monthly start might be a way to gauge impacts.
“We are treading carefully here because we need to support our local businesses and town centres and more and more of them are closing up,” van Tonder said.
A fast-growing Takapuna pet-products store uses specialist knowledge to deliver top-notch products and service to customers and their beloved companions.
Petdirect, a Kiwi-owned company, was created to make caring for pets easier and more accessible for New Zealanders.
Launched online in early 2020, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, the company quickly became a trusted provider of essential pet products. It now has 90,000 active customers and processes 10,000 orders a week.
As a proudly local business, Petdirect understands the unique needs of Kiwi pet owners. “At Petdirect, we understand what truly matters to pet parents and their pets,” says CEO Dave Anderson (pictured, right). “We get that a half-chewed slipper is an act of love. We get that one pat is never enough, and we get that the more deeply we can help you ‘get’ your pet, the more deeply you can care for them.”
This year, the company has taken the bold step of opening its first physical store at 33 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna.
Anderson wanted to create a unique in-store experience. Stepping into the store, the visitor discovers a customer-focused, immersive experience, with cutting-edge digital solutions – big screens to communicate key messages and electronic pricing systems. The vibrant colours, modern lighting, bold graphics and an innovative wayfinding system all enhance the customer experience and elevate the Petdirect identity. These unique features are inspired by years of research.
“We’re not just an online retailer any more,” Anderson says. “We’re stepping into a whole new world of pet care, with a bricks-andmortar experience designed to better serve our incredible community.”
Petdirect seeks to take the effort out of shopping, and instead provide an outing for a customer and their pet. Shoppers can stop by the store’s treat bar for a tasty snack to keep their furry companion happy during their visit.
Petdirect services, such as Autodeliver,
ensure customers never run out of the essentials like food and flea treatments, while Pet Perks, a free loyalty programme, offers exclusive discounts, anniversary treats and the chance to earn Airpoints Dollars. “It’s our way of saying thank you for being part of the Petdirect family,” Anderson says.
The company is determined to stay ahead of the curve on latest research and trends, ensuring customers have access to the best products, knowledge and advanced solutions that can make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners. “We’re bringing some seriously cool tech into the store that you won’t find elsewhere. From smart water fountains to GPS trackers and interactive toys, these products are designed to make pet parenting easier and pets happier. We know pet parents want the best, and we’re thrilled to offer solutions that help them care for their pets in new, exciting ways.”
This Christmas, Petdirect is bringing Santa Paws to the North Shore. For just $19.95, customers can book a special photo session with their dogs and Santa in a dedicated grotto at the Takapuna store. This is a unique way to
capture holiday memories and celebrate the season. “With limited spots, we encourage everyone to book early.”
With a focus on dogs and cats, but broadening into other pet animals, Petdirect aims to be its customers’ go-to for quality pet supplies. Anderson and the team understand that Kiwi pet parents see their pets as family, and they are deeply invested in doing what’s best for them. “Our purpose is simple: to lead the pack in pet care and be the most trusted, convenient destination for Kiwi pet parents. We’re here to offer the finest products, expert advice, and exceptional service because, at Petdirect, we get ‘pet’ – we understand what truly matters to pet parents and their pets.
“We’re a team of animal lovers who treasure the relationships Kiwis have with their pets –because we have those relationships too!”
Book your Santa Paws photos at https://petd.nz/3YaI4Wy or scan the QR code.
Trades & Services
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Free art classes generate work worth putting on show
A Takapuna art class, which has been running for 11 years, is hosting an exhibition at Takapuna Library this month, showcasing its adult students’ wide range of artworks.
Teacher Heloisa Barczak, who has run the class since it began, said she was impressed with the quality of work by students, some of whom have been attending the classes for just a year, while others have been regulars for over a decade.
The exhibition features a wide range of mediums and styles, as participants are encouraged to follow their own inclinations.
Around 15 students are showcasing two or three artworks each.
Further panels show the learning process students have gone through to produce their work.
Barczak herself is also showing a few works.
Multiple exhibitions were hosted before the Covid pandemic hit.
This year, Barczak decided it was time to revive the practice.
The 84-year-old said she started the classes for beginners who had little to no experience painting, but as the years went by the students progressed sufficiently for their work to be worth showing.
Her free classes focus on teaching basic technical drawing and painting skills and
helping the students bring out their creative ambitions, said Barczak.
“It’s important to be creative, to express yourself because when we join these two [technical and expressive] aspects we really have art.”
The classes began in the Takapuna Com-
munity Services Building, moved to the Mary Thomas Centre and then back into the Senior Citizens Hall in the Community Services Building, where they are these days held on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 4pm.
• The exhibition is at Takapuna Library until November 17.
•
•
Show time... Art teacher Heloisa Barczak (second from left) with students (from left) Chris Howe, Dawn Cleary and Jing Gao and their artworks ahead of the art-class exhibition at Takapuna Library
Austen classic given updated look and feel in production
Regency redux... A modern sensibility adds a comic twist to Foolish Wit’s staging of Pride and Prejudice, which features the Bennet sisters, played by (from left) Jack Corte as Elizabeth, Brooke Sandys (Jane), Tanna Van Rensburg (Mary) and Alice Dibble (Lydia), who must navigate society and suitors
Tackling a beloved classic is always a challenge, but with 20 years directing plays under his belt, James Bell was well ready to wrangle with the production of Pride and Prejudice being staged at the PumpHouse theatre in Takapuna next week.
“Everyone has got their idea of their favourite version,” he says of the nearly 20 filmed versions of the Jane Austen novel. Stars to have played main characters Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy include Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen (2005) and Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth (1995). Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) also owes much to Austen.
The pacy script Bell is working with plays up the comedy and is a little bit naughty. But he adds: “This particular [Kate Hamill] adaptation does a really good job of exploring the relationships between the characters and the society they are living in.”
That is what hooked Bell into directing his 40th play. Although he admits his Foolish Wit theatre company co-founders Mags Delaney-Moffat and Aria Harrison-Sparke were more into the original story than he was.
To appeal to contemporary audiences, Pride and Prejudice production’s look and sound is something of a “mash-up” of the Regency era, in which Austen wrote, and more relatably modern references.
“We’ve tried to really aim at people who like TV programmes like Bridgerton,” says Bell. “People who wish Pride and Prejudice had a soundtrack by Taylor Swift and, of course, people who love the book and the next generation discovering it.”
String quartets with that nod to Swift can be heard in compositions by Erin Fagan. A ball with characters clad in Regency costume by Harrison-Sparke is set against a backdrop of a high school gym to evoke the awkwardness of school formals as being akin to the “season” when debutantes of the past looked for a good match.
“It is this universal story of the awkwardness of finding true love,” says Bell.
A lot of the characters are almost caricatures, he says, balanced on the edge of going over the top. “When directing Shakespeare I try to find the universal archetypes.”
The same applies with Pride and Prejudice. By making characters recognisable, people get the story, without necessarily having read the book. And it makes for a lot of fun. For instance, affable gentleman caller Mr Bingley is depicted as akin to an over-excitable dog.
Bell says Foolish Wit fielded a lot of interest from actors wanting to audition and has assembled an excellent cast. Jack Corte is Elizabeth Bennet and Shivneel Singh is Mr Darcy.
Brooke Sandys plays Elizabeth’s eldest sister, Jane, who laps up the attention of the Mr Bingley.
at the PumpHouse
Directing the show... Milford resident James Bell works through a scene at rehearsal with Takapuna-based actor Brooke Sandys
After a time studying film in New York, Sandys returned to New Zealand during the Covid pandemic. Having dabbled in standup comedy, Pride and Prejudice is her first theatre show in Auckland.
“I am so excited to be doing theatre again,” she says.
“I moved to Takapuna just over a year ago, and as soon as we moved here I said to myself I want to do a show at the PumpHouse theatre.”
Bell began his own theatre career beyond school shows at the PumpHouse. “To me finding a community of friends was really important.” By day he works as business manager at the PumpHouse.
From an initial schoolboy taste of working backstage at Wairau Intermediate, Bell then took lighting courses while at Westlake Boys High School.
The Milford resident says he was “embraced with open arms” at Shoreside Theatre (then the Milford Players).
“I’m not an actor,” he says. “As a lighting person you watch every night. Having watched a lot, I decided I wanted to have a go.”
He started directing one-act plays for Shoreside and moved on to its popular summer Shakespeare seasons.
Hamlet is his favourite, due to its universal themes and epic and enduring story.
With Foolish Wit, he has further broadened his skills.
“I’m really enjoying the producing side of things and helping the next generation coming through,” he says.
• Pride and Prejudice, 13-17 November at the PumpHouse. Tickets at pumphouse.co.nz
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