
About the Play
Three men are held captive in Beirut. How do they survive and retain their sanity armed only with hope, humour, and sheer determination?
“We’re at their mercy” … “No, we’re at our own” Three civilian men are kidnapped; held captive and chained, and under the ever watchful eye of both captors and supposed comrades, how do they maintain their sanity – and humanity – armed only with hope, humor, and sheer determination?
The Cast
Mike Adams – Edward - Irish journalis
John (JB) Boyce – Michael - English professor
Stephen Ingwell – Adam - American doctor
A Little Box At The Top Of The Stairs Productions
present...
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“THE DROWNING GIRLS”
Coming to the Elmwood auditorium 7 to 9 and 14 to 16 November.
$20 waged, $16 unwaged
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About the play...
Bessie, Alice and Margaret have two things in common: they are married to George Joseph Smith, and they are dead. Surfacing from the bathtubs they were drowned in, the three breathless brides gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths. Reflecting on the misconceptions of love, married life, and the not-so-happily ever after, The Drowning Girls is both a breathtaking fantasia and a social critique, full of rich images, a myriad of characters, and lyrical language.
The Drowning Girls is based on a true story about a murder case in England in the early 20th century. George Joseph Smith had three lovely brides. In each case, Smith had all of the woman’s property signed over to him, purchased life insurance on her and then drowned her in the bathtub.
Further info from planetgazza@xtra.co.nz or 021 453138 |
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Diary 2013 - 2014
Keep These Dates Free
12 June |
"Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" opens (Dir: Marilyn Ollett) |
15 - 16 June |
Theatre Workshops in conjunction with Theatre NZ |
22 June |
Auditions for... "Shorts"- A season of one act plays, "The New Quioxte" (Dir: Sarah Coursey) "One Season's King" (Dir: Doug Clarke QSM) "hark*" (Dir: Alexandra Le Cocq) |
2 - 3 August |
NZTF Short Play Festival (Districts:Christchurch) |
8 August |
"Shorts"- A season of one act plays, "The New Quioxte" (Dir: Sarah Coursey) "One Season's King" (Dir: Doug Clarke QSM) "hark*" (Dir: Alexandra Le Cocq) |
10 August |
“Well Hung” (Dir: Steve Millar) Auditions |
23 - 24 August |
NZTF Short Play Festival (Regional Finals: Blenhiem) |
13 - 14 September |
NZTF Short Play Festival (National Finals: Wellington) |
2 October |
“Well Hung” opens (Dir: Steve Millar) |
January 2014 |
"Jack, the Giant and the Jiggery Plot" (Dir: Carol Payton and Roderick Turner) |
April 2014 |
"Rabbit Hole" (Dir: Garry Thomas) |
June 2014 |
"Thick as Thieves"(Dir: Phil Dean) |
August 2014 |
"One Act Play Season"(Directors & Plays TBC) |
October 2014 |
"Same Old Moon" (Dir: Susan Cameron) |
Programme 2013 - 2014
Below is the planned programme of plays for 2013 and 2014. Nearer the time of production open auditions for each of these plays will be advised on this web site, in newspaper advertising and in our Prompt Corner newsletter.
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"Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me"
By Frank McGuinness
Dir: Marilyn Ollett
12 – 22 June (Weds – Sat x 2 weeks)
This Tony Award nominated play focuses on the trials and tribulations of an Irishman, an Englishman and an American (Edward, Michael, and Adam) who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in Lebanon. As the three men strive for survival they also strive to overcome their personal and nationalistic differences. Related to this is each individual's own attempt to maintain sanity under the watchful eye of both captors and supposed comrades. As victims of political action, powerless to initiate change, what can they do? How do they live and survive? Frank McGuinness explores the daily crises endured by the hostages whose strength comes from communication, both subtle and mundane, from humour, wit and faith. |
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Shorts – a season of three short plays
“ONE SEASON’S KING” (George MacEwan Green) Set at a graveside during a funeral, the three men in the lives of a charismatic woman retell their stories … It is a play of characterization and its successful presentation depends on the male actors being able to convey the tension which exists between them. This tension springs not only from their rivalry for Eveline's favours but also from their sense of class. (3M, 1F)
Darius returns to the motel room that was the scene of his best friends suicide, some years prior. He is visited by two time travelling angels - Micah and Rafe, the devilish Murmur, and Azaria – the Pizza Girl – as he struggles to follow through on his plan for redemption. |
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Well Hung
Fawlty Towers meets Fred Dagg. Written by the late New Zealand playwright Robert Lord, and newly edited by Stephen Sinclair of "Ladies' Night" fame, it's a play of based around mistaken identities and police cock-ups. Set in a small-town 1970s police station "Well Hung" features a kook, a cop, his wife and her lover. A deliciously funny, furious, farcical Kiwi comedy. |
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Jack, the Giant and the Jiggery Plot
By Richard Blythe
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Rabbit Hole
by David Lindsay-Abaire
April 2014
Becca’s mother, Nat, and her younger sister, Izzy, try in their own ways to comfort the family. When Izzy, always the family troublemaker, announces that she is pregnant, Becca and Howie must come to terms with the new life in the family while dealing with their grief. In the final act, Jason, the young man who accidentally killed their son, comes to their home. He has written a story about alternate realities in which those who die live on elsewhere. His visit helps Becca to realize the family must move on. Deeply humane, occasionally funny and always heartrending, Rabbit Hole explores the ways we deal with grief, both individually and as families. |
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“Thick As Thieves”
June 2014
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“Same Old Moon”
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Confirmed Winners Of 2012- 2013 Woodies:
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Lead Actor: Mike Adams ("Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell")
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Lead Actress: Tie: Georgina Stylianou ("Katydid")/Carole Payton ("Near-sighted Knight and Far-sighted Dragon")
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Supporting Actor: Sam Primrose ("Habeas Corpus")
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Supporting Actress: Katrina Forrester ("Near-sighted Knight and Far-sighted Dragon")
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Actor (One Act): Glen Clark ("A Galway Girl")
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Actress (One Act): Elizabeth Woods ("A Galway Girl")
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Production (Full): "Katydid"
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Production (One Act): "A Galway Girl"
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Director: Susan Cameron ("A Galway Girl")
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Support Person: Emma Gordon (Lighting and Sound Operator)
.... and sincere thanks and acknowledgement to all who were involved with Elmwood Players throughout our 2012-13 year.
Executive Team 2013-2014
Following on from our Annual Meeting February 2013 the following members were elected...
President |
Garry Thomas |
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Treasurer (Funding) |
Susan Cameron |
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Secretary |
Barry Tomkinson |
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Website & Newsletter |
Brian Sullivan |
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Committee (Costumes) |
Carole Payton |
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Committee |
Klaus Hermanspahn |
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Committee (Membership) |
Sarah Coursey |
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Committee (Front of House) |
Roderick Turner |








