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Fortune Theatre is opening the year with the hilarious Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense this February, based on the work of P. G. Wodehouse,
Jeeves and Wooster transports the audience to a wild weekend at Totleigh Towers with Bertie Wooster and his ever faithful ‘gentleman’s personal gentleman’, Jeeves. On a mission to steal a prized cow creamer, nothing will stand in Bertie’s way… (hopefully…!) The cast of Jack Buchanan, Andrew Paterson and Andrew Ford have been carefully selected to bring to life the world of Wodehouse, with more intrigue, twists and turns than you can shake a cow creamer at!

This smash-hit farce has played to sellout audiences on the West End and across the world, and is a charming and very light-hearted way to start the year in Dunedin. Crafted by the genius Goodale Brothers, the award-winning script has delighted audience from around the globe:
“The whole performance bounced along on a bed of razor-sharp one-liners and absurd similes … even the most unwitting Wodehouse rookie could not help but snigger” – Stuff
“I suspect that Wodehouse himself would have loved this production, and there is no doubt that it captures the dotty, sunlit innocence of his work with panache.“- Daily Telegraph
“This unapologetically frivolous show should entertain those who have never been exposed to Wodehouse, and devotees will lap it up.” – The Evening Standard

This will be the first Fortune mainstage production for director Jordan Dickson, a graduate of the University of Otago and producer of Fortune’s Family Season.

Fortune Theatre Director Jonathon Hendry says, “We’re very excited to have Jordan on board for a mainstage show. After his hilarious work in our Family Season over the last year, I can’t wait to see what he does with three of the country’s finest young comic actors and the Goodale Brothers’ writing,”

Mr Dickson says, “It’s brilliant the Fortune is supporting younger artists like myself, and it’s amazing to have the opportunity to work on a mainstage production of an incredible play like Jeeves and Wooster, right here in Dunedin!”

Mr Hendry says, “We’re making this rip-roaring show as accessible to our community as possible, with a discounted public preview on Friday February 9th and cheaper early bird tickets available until Friday January 26th.”

Fortune is also proud to be supporting the Otago Cancer Society with a special benefit performance on Wednesday February 14th.

Key dates:
9 February – Public Preview
10 February – Opening Night
14 February – Cancer Society Benefit Night
3 March – Closing Night

Bookings:
https://fortunetheatre.co.nz/play/jeeves-wooster-perfect-nonsense/

What Is It?

Studio 4×4 Emerging Playwrights Initiative is a FREE ten-week programme for four emerging playwrights to develop a short (10-15 minute) play script under the mentorship of an experienced dramaturg (script advisor). At the end of the ten weeks your script will be workshopped with a director and professional actors before it is presented as a public rehearsed reading over two nights. The 2018 mentor will be Emily Duncan.

Theatre Director Jonathon Hendry says “we’re delighted to have Emily joining us again in 2018. The remarkable feedback from our 2017 participants about working with local playwright Emily Duncan, made her the clear choice. We are thrilled to have her on board.”

A brief history of Studio 4×4

Studio 4×4 is central to Fortune Theatre’s mission to develop the skills of young and emerging theatre artists in the Dunedin Community. Studio 4×4 began as the Young Playwrights Initiative in 2012 to nurture and provide opportunities for new playwrights.
Dramaturgs who have mentored the programme include playwrights Simon O’Connor, Phil Braithwaite, Victor Roger, and Emily Duncan.
In 2016 Studio 4×4 was renamed the Emerging Playwrights Initiative, thus removing the age limit for applicants. Writers can emerge at any age.

A word from previous Studio 4×4 writers

4×4 was such a rewarding experience. How often do you get to work so closely with professional theatre practitioners, to develop one of your own ideas? It’s an opportunity not to be missed.  – Genevieve Scanlan, 2017

I’ve learnt to go deeper into my work, layer everything, even in a 15-minute piece. I learnt to ‘speak my truth’. I have since submitted The Green to two separate submissions in Ireland, to which I could not have submitted without the play having been performed, this programme opens doors.  – Emer Lyons, 2016

The experience I gained from the work-shopping process was invaluable. It is very rare to have such immediate feedback from other creatives when writing individually, so I certainly appreciate the supportive and encouraging environment that was fostered by the initiative. – Hamish Annan, 2015

2018 Dates

Application deadline: 1 February, 2018

First Session: 10:00, Saturday, 3 March, 2018
Easter Break: Saturday, 31 March, 2018
Last Session: 10:00, Saturday, 12 May

Rehearsal/Workshop: 19-20 May
Four works performed: 21-22 May

Who Can Apply

The initiative is open to applications from emerging playwrights. Although there are no hard and fast rules as to what is “emerging”, we are looking for people who can demonstrate some theatre experience, prior attempts/experience at writing for theatre, and an openness to developing their craft.
Published or professionally produced playwrights are not eligible. However, if you have been published in other genres/mediums (e.g. poetry) you can still apply.
Applicants must be over 18 years of age and reside in Dunedin or Otago/Southland so long as they are able to attend all sessions in person at Fortune Theatre.

We are looking for a range of ideas/genres and stories, so if you have an idea, we want to hear about it! Please note that we are limited to script ideas that are between 10-15 minutes with casts of no more than 4 characters.

Applications

Applications can be submitted online here:

Apply Here

Your application includes some details from the play you’re going to write as well as some info about yourself. Don’t worry, you can start your application and come back to it later if you need more time.

The creative team involved in Fortune Theatre’s upcoming kids’ show What You Will exemplify the theatre’s commitment to fostering new theatrical talent. The writer, actors, director and operator have all attended the University of Otago and the show itself is based on characters from the Shakespeare classic Twelfth Night, which will run at the same time as part of the main season and is the result of a collaboration between the theatre and the University.

The genius behind What You Will (besides Shakespeare of course) is local writer, actor and musician Zac Nicholls. Though he has worked for the theatre before as a musician, in kids’ shows The Emperor’s New Clothes and Little Red Riding Hood, this will be the first time his own work is performed at the Fortune. It was through university, and his previous work at the Fortune, that he came to be involved in What You Will. He notes that “the fortune is always keen to help young theatre people in Dunedin thrive”, with initiatives like the 4X4 Emerging Playwrights’ programme, as well as giving artists like himself opportunities to undertake projects. As part of their support for this new work, the theatre has placed Nicholls in contact with script advisor Emily Duncan, who has provided feedback through out the writing process. “She is a genius,” Nicholls says, helping him to think of the story in a narrative sense, getting the world and characters of the play not only funny and engaging but cohesive and well rounded.

Taking the directing helm is Jordan Dickson, who started his professional career directing kids shows for the Fortune whilst he was still at University. His favourite part of directing kids’ shows is the audience, saying “kids come to the theatre ready to have a great time, no questions asked.” What You Will has been a particularly unique experience because of the playwright’s involvement in not only the writing of the play but also the rehearsals and staging. Dickson says, “it’s so fantastic working with a playwright in the room. We’ve been able to develop the script even further working alongside Zac; the show just gets better each and every day!”

Joining Nicholls and Dickson are actors Nick Tipa as Feste, Sam Shannon as Maria and Shaun Swain as Malvolio. Completing the team is Anna Vandenbosch as the stage manager and the light operator. All four have passed through the University of Otago at some point and this shared background makes for a close knit team. Dickson says that the group has a “great working vocabulary” that springs from their shared experiences at Otago.

“Relaxing the Rules” in the School Holidays at The Fortune Theatre

The one week season of What You Will, running from the 15th to the 22nd of July, will include a relaxed performance on the 17th. An initiative launched earlier in 2017, the relaxed performance opens up the theatre to children and their families who might find it difficult to attend regular shows. A number of steps are taken to make the theatre environment more hospitable for people on the autism spectrum, with sensory and communication disorders, or other sensitivity issues. The theatre’s education department also put together a Social Script that outlines the process of going to the theatre, letting people know what to expect, as well as introducing the actors and their characters, and answering common questions. “We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxed performance of Little Red Riding Hood last school holidays and we’re looking forward to another fun and welcoming show this time around,” Fortune Education Liaison Shannon Colbert says, and mentions that anyone wishing for a copy can email her or come to the theatre and pick one up.

Whether it is those creating the performance, or being welcomed in to experience the performance, all aspects of What You Will highlight the Fortune Theatre’s work in bringing new voices and viewpoints into the theatre space. Filled with music, mischief and massive amounts of chocolate – thanks to Cadbury and their Chocolate Carnival – this show is going to be a school holiday highlight for their entire family!

FREE MASK WORKSHOP WITH JACOB RAJAN (MNZM)

As part of the national tour of award-winning play, The Pickle King, Indian Ink Theatre Company is offering a free mask workshop with their own
writer and performer, Jacob Rajan!

Indian Ink was founded on a passion for mask performance. Catering for different age groups, ranging from intermediate through to university, these workshops allow students to participate in exercises and games to experience what it is to act “at the level of mask.” The workshop focuses on liberating the body and voice to create characters that amplify human emotion, relationships and truth. Strictly limited numbers.

 

I popped a mask on my face and that shy person was gone – this new being was born and I loved it!

– Jacob Rajan

 

WHEN:
Tuesday 20 June
3.45pm – 5.15pm
WHERE:
Fortune Theatre

DURATION: 1.5 hours.
To book your spot, or for more information, contact:
Jude – jude@indianink.co.nz

This is (almost) everything you want to know about playwriting in two hours.

Roger Hall, New Zealand’s most experienced playwright, will pass on techniques of stagecraft that have helped him write more than forty stage productions. Sure to be of benefit to all writers, not just playwrights.

Where: Kingsgate Hotel
When: April 29, 11am – 1pm
How much: $50 with a ticket to Last Legs, $30 without.

For more information or to enroll please contact: Jordan Dickson, marketing@fortunetheatre.co.nz

To celebrate 40 years since Roger Hall’s first production at Fortune (Glide Time, 1977) we’re going to be revisiting some of Roger’s most beloved plays from the past.

The line-up includes:

30 April: Glide Time (featuring original cast members Ray Henwood and Ross Jolly and Roger Hall himself reading ‘the Boss’)
7 May: Middle Age Spread
14 May: The Book Club
21 May: A Way Of Life

All readings start at 11am with tea and coffee provided. $5 payable on the door.