Teentheatre sheds light on the mysteries of love
Cast members preparing for the production of Love, Baby. Photo: Em Hofstede.
A candid and mature group of teenage actors is about to show Takaka what real love is all about in this season’s Teentheatre production, Love, Babe.
Ronnie Short says the play, written by New Zealander Christina Stachurski, is one she’s been wanting to stage for years.
“It’s a great little number. I was just waiting for the right group to fit the roles as I’d envisaged.”
Vari Petterson, who plays one of the lead characters, Cassie, says the play shows “all the different things that love can be. It branches out in all directions and shows love from different perspectives. “She plays a young woman with a hopeless crush on Nick, the male lead, played by Mani McIntyre-Neary.
“I can actually relate to him,” says Mani. “We look quite the same and have the same opinions about love.
“Love is a million fireworks going off all at once.”
Unfortunately for Cassie, Nick is in love with Kate, played by Lilli-Koko Muller-Murchie.
Ronnie chose Love, Babe for the younger half of her Teentheatre group because of its educational value. It has vignettes that form a bit of a literary timeline. “From undertaking this one play, the students are introduced to other classics.“
Naturally, as the subject is love, Romeo and Juliet make an appearance. Floris Pontier, who plays the tragic teenage boy, says Romeo is an important role because everyone knows about him. Actress Tullia Wilson, though unsure whether she can live up to playing such a time-honoured role, feels she can make Juliet her own.
From Hans Christian Anderson comes the tale of The Little Mermaid and the Sea Witch, a story of manipulation and woe. Leia Jones plays the Sea Witch to Katy Blasdale’s Little Mermaid. Leia is enjoying her opportunity to use a malevolent voice, while Katy, who is a band member of the Blackspots, likes her role because it gives her a chance to sing.
Jonathan Martin plays John Keats, one of England’s most beloved Romantic poets, who tragically died young.
“I quite like playing this role and enjoy reading out his poetry.”
Rachel Sadowski plays Keats’ fiancée, Fanny Brawne, and prepared for the role by watching the movie Bright Star and reading about Fanny online.
What romance would be complete without a dash of darkness, and Wuthering Heights provides just enough shadow.
“Heathcliff is pretty cool,” says Kasey Benge, who plays the troubled Heathcliff, and Laura-mae Parker-Barrett plays Catherine Earnshaw, Heathcliff’s obsession.
Several years ago Ronnie directed a play called Hot Stuff, also written by Christina Stachurski. “I admire Christina’s playwriting and I love to support New Zealand theatre as much as possible. In fact one of the vignettes is from the widely known film Heavenly Creatures, which led to my choice for the older Teentheatre students. They will be performing Daughters of Heaven in October.”
For this later production Tallis Lente will play troubled youth Pauline Parker, and Yvette Broadhurst will be Juliet Hulme. Both agree it will be challenge to play characters so unlike themselves.
If you’ve ever had questions about love, then Love, Babe is a must-see. It will be performed with dinner at the Wholemeal Café on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 August, and as theatre only on Sunday 21. Tickets are available at the Wholemeal. See the ad on page 19.
Em Hofstede
