The cast of Shakespeare’s Notebook don their costumes for the first time as
Oddysey Theatre begins preparations for its upcoming show in Pukekohe. Photo supplied
Preparations are in full swing for Oddysey Theatre’s annual show.
The theatre group is made up of Franklin homeschoolers with support from their parents and in collaboration with education and theatre specialist Douglas Roberts.
He is a specialist in theatre skills and active learning approaches with experience as a theatre director, teacher at primary and secondary level, and education advisor and consultant. He divides his time between New Zealand (place of his birth and home to extended family) and Scotland (his family home).
Writer/director Roberts said Shakespeare’s Notebook is a comic romp through William’s best plays.
“Will Shakespeare writes play after play, trying to find a place for his favourite characters, but it all keeps going wrong.
“Experience tragedy, comedy, history and high drama as our characters bumble their way to yet another unexpected ending. Strangely familiar, yet surprisingly original.”
Organiser Lydia Loveday said the group held its first script reading on March 21, with just two weeks between that and their first performance on April 4.
“We have two weeks of preparation, fully intensive, from 9.30am to 4pm. It’s immersive and people can’t believe it can be done,” Loveday said.
Fellow organiser Marjorie Davies said the cast was made up of 17 children and two understudies.
Three performances will be held at Pukekohe Reformed Church, 2 Victoria Street. Shows will be held at 7.30pm on Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5, along with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students (15+), and $5 for children under 15. Young children under 5 are free if they sit on someone’s lap.
- Check out their website for booking tickets: www.oddyseytheatre.com (note the ‘odd’
spelling!)
