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On Stage Now
The Farm by New Zealand playwright David Geary (Pack of Girls, The Learner’s Stand, Lovelock’s Dream Run). directed by Kerynn Walsh (starred in Shirley Valentine) On Stage June 8-19, 2021 The Farm is a cleverly woven NZ comedy that follows the highs and lows of farming couple Jim & Maggie who are about to lose their farm and probably their marriage. But when a Lycra-clad Russian couple on a cycling tour of NZ collide with one Jim’s escaped steers everyone’s lives take an unexpected turn. It soon transpires that these Russian tourists are looking for more in NZ than just fresh air and beautiful scenery, and Jim may just be the answer to all their prayers. Goats, ostriches, high-country stags, borscht and vodka combine to create an hilarious and heart-felt comedy that is sure to leave you with aching sides! Online Booking for The Farm is now open, and you can you can also apply for membership now!
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The Farm review by Adam Fresco
Ploughing Pathos
Comedy and Tragedy, from the Slapstick to the Serious, in ‘The Farm’.
David Geary’s play is a blast of Kiwi comedy, with a serious heart. Hailing from the Manawatu, Geary has an ear for the natural speech of Aotearoa, lending his lead couple a down-to-earth tone that anchors the comedy firmly in mundane reality. As farming couple, Maggie and Jim, Vikki Cottingham and Ross Brannigan, bring a well-worn, lived-in believability to their characters, as they struggle to keep their farm going, and their marriage intact. It’s been a bumpy road for both, made none the easier by Jim’s ineptitude as a businessman; losing his investments, trying everything from farming possums, goats, stags, and ostriches, yet missing out on dairy.
As the unpaid bills mount up, so does Maggie’s resentment of her husband’s attempts to save the business, and their marriage. Crashing into their quiet North Island farm, literally hitting an escaped steer, come Russian backpackers Tatyana and Konstantin, two lycra-clad cyclists with marital issues of their own. Played by Russian born Daria Erastova, Tatyana is a flame-haired Soviet dynamo, whilst as her husband, Konstantin, Oliver Pownall delivers a suitably sour-faced, self-importance, as a citizen proud to be a “man”, yet struggling to live up to the patriarchal ideal of the super successful, potent father-figure. Konstantin may want to be Putin, but at heart he’s a lot more than his macho posturing first portrays.
In her directorial debut, actress, Kerynn Walsh coaxes performances from all four of her cast that ring true and funny. Unashamedly sentimental, sometimes silly, and always entertaining, Geary’s play is presented with a pace, confidence, and sincerity that keeps the audience entertained and enthralled, as two-dimensional comedic characters are fleshed out over the course of the narrative to become real people with genuine characters and concerns. Not an easy trick to pull off, but Walsh and her cast succeed admirably, in a small theatre that is utilised perfectly for a front room farce, that is at once intimate in feeling, and broad in comedic scope.
Funny, heartfelt, and downright charming, ‘The Farm’ is thoughtful and fun, never afraid to tackle adult themes head-on, wearing its heart on its sleeve, and even allowing stage managers to get in on the act, during scene changes often as entertaining as the play itself. So, cast aside your pandemic woes and head to ‘The Farm’ for a barn-full of charm in this delightful, small, Kiwi comedy, with a big heart.
Ploughing Pathos
Comedy and Tragedy, from the Slapstick to the Serious, in ‘The Farm’.
David Geary’s play is a blast of Kiwi comedy, with a serious heart. Hailing from the Manawatu, Geary has an ear for the natural speech of Aotearoa, lending his lead couple a down-to-earth tone that anchors the comedy firmly in mundane reality. As farming couple, Maggie and Jim, Vikki Cottingham and Ross Brannigan, bring a well-worn, lived-in believability to their characters, as they struggle to keep their farm going, and their marriage intact. It’s been a bumpy road for both, made none the easier by Jim’s ineptitude as a businessman; losing his investments, trying everything from farming possums, goats, stags, and ostriches, yet missing out on dairy.
As the unpaid bills mount up, so does Maggie’s resentment of her husband’s attempts to save the business, and their marriage. Crashing into their quiet North Island farm, literally hitting an escaped steer, come Russian backpackers Tatyana and Konstantin, two lycra-clad cyclists with marital issues of their own. Played by Russian born Daria Erastova, Tatyana is a flame-haired Soviet dynamo, whilst as her husband, Konstantin, Oliver Pownall delivers a suitably sour-faced, self-importance, as a citizen proud to be a “man”, yet struggling to live up to the patriarchal ideal of the super successful, potent father-figure. Konstantin may want to be Putin, but at heart he’s a lot more than his macho posturing first portrays.
In her directorial debut, actress, Kerynn Walsh coaxes performances from all four of her cast that ring true and funny. Unashamedly sentimental, sometimes silly, and always entertaining, Geary’s play is presented with a pace, confidence, and sincerity that keeps the audience entertained and enthralled, as two-dimensional comedic characters are fleshed out over the course of the narrative to become real people with genuine characters and concerns. Not an easy trick to pull off, but Walsh and her cast succeed admirably, in a small theatre that is utilised perfectly for a front room farce, that is at once intimate in feeling, and broad in comedic scope.
Funny, heartfelt, and downright charming, ‘The Farm’ is thoughtful and fun, never afraid to tackle adult themes head-on, wearing its heart on its sleeve, and even allowing stage managers to get in on the act, during scene changes often as entertaining as the play itself. So, cast aside your pandemic woes and head to ‘The Farm’ for a barn-full of charm in this delightful, small, Kiwi comedy, with a big heart.
One Act Plays
We at Titirangi Theatre are keen to encourage the idea of one-act plays, as a launching pad for directors, stage crew and actors wanting to learn the arts of theatre and stage craft.
If you are interested in trying your hand at direction, or any other theatre skill, and have a one-act play in mind, please contact Phoebe on 0212797901 or email president@titirangitheatre.co.nz
We envisage auditions being held on June 27 in the theatre, for a performance season in September.
We at Titirangi Theatre are keen to encourage the idea of one-act plays, as a launching pad for directors, stage crew and actors wanting to learn the arts of theatre and stage craft.
If you are interested in trying your hand at direction, or any other theatre skill, and have a one-act play in mind, please contact Phoebe on 0212797901 or email president@titirangitheatre.co.nz
We envisage auditions being held on June 27 in the theatre, for a performance season in September.
2021 Titirangi Theatre Acting Classes, with tutor John Goudge.
click here to learn more about acting classes for children and teens offered by John Goudge.
Sorry, our audition slots for the younger children's age group are all taken, but we still have a few places available for teenagers. Register your interest with tutor John Goudge before they all fill up too.
Please check the auditions page regarding acting lessons.
Sorry, our audition slots for the younger children's age group are all taken, but we still have a few places available for teenagers. Register your interest with tutor John Goudge before they all fill up too.
Please check the auditions page regarding acting lessons.
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Just for the memories
some of the mementos gifted to crew by directors and producers in years gone by (If you have mementos or memorabilia you want to share email pictures to macsnapper )
some of the mementos gifted to crew by directors and producers in years gone by (If you have mementos or memorabilia you want to share email pictures to macsnapper )
Call for Directors
If you would like to direct a play that you feel passionate about we would like to give you the opportunity.
The selection policy is to ask directors to submit two or three plays for consideration in our yearly programme of four plays each year.
If you would be interested in directing but you have no particular play in mind, the selection team can advise on plays which will help create a varied programme, offer interesting acting roles and please our theatre-going audience.
We would be keen to hear from anyone interested in directing a pantomime or similar (small musical, TV series etc) as an end-of-year show.
If you are interesting in directing for Titirangi theatre please phone Christine Nash on 0272 424 772 or send her an email
If you would like to direct a play that you feel passionate about we would like to give you the opportunity.
The selection policy is to ask directors to submit two or three plays for consideration in our yearly programme of four plays each year.
If you would be interested in directing but you have no particular play in mind, the selection team can advise on plays which will help create a varied programme, offer interesting acting roles and please our theatre-going audience.
We would be keen to hear from anyone interested in directing a pantomime or similar (small musical, TV series etc) as an end-of-year show.
If you are interesting in directing for Titirangi theatre please phone Christine Nash on 0272 424 772 or send her an email
Titirangi Theatre
Titirangi Theatre, based in Lopdell House, has been a part of life in Titirangi since 1935.
The theatre has a long history of producing a wide range of both old favourites and exciting new plays.
Click here to learn more about our history
Titirangi Theatre, based in Lopdell House, has been a part of life in Titirangi since 1935.
The theatre has a long history of producing a wide range of both old favourites and exciting new plays.
Click here to learn more about our history
www.facebook.com/titirangitheatre/ Visit us on Facebook
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