Plenty of drama on the Coromandel after lockdown

Jean and Auriol beside some of the outfits they're working on for this year's Tairua Heritage Players production. Photo / Supplied

A year on from lockdown there is plenty happening in local drama groups.

Waihi Drama Society held its highly successful acting weekend workshop with Kiwi icon Mark Wright on March 27-28.

After the Whangamata Theatre Society had to postpone Our Special Place, South of the Bombays, which was two months into rehearsal with an incredible cast when we all went into lockdown - the drama is back.

Acting president of the Whangamata society, Aisne Edwards, says Therese Dixon will direct a New Zealand comedy for the society in late September. She has an extensive portfolio of experience in both acting and directing.

On April 28 the Whangamata Theatre Society holds its AGM, where they'll hear from Therese and mingle over wine and nibbles.

Aisne says the society wants to hear from anyone keen to join.

"Come and hear about what we have done in the past and also what is ahead. Don't feel threatened that you may get pressured into an acting role or to be on the executive. We need a wide range of people with varied skills just to join us.

"If you are worried about being on stage don't be put off. A show requires all sorts of talents backstage. You might like to assist in a wide variety of roles, from publicity to hair and make-up to sound effects, building sets, ushering, etc."

She says best of all, you meet a great group of people who love bringing live theatre to our community.

"The environment allows you to develop skills you already have and also to acquire new ones. Many of our members began with little knowledge of theatre craft and are now old hands, having learnt along the way."

Tairua director and playwright Auriol Farquhar is drawing a local cast together for her next heritage play, based on a slice of Tairua's history.

Auriol has written and directed several shows with local cast and crew, who are known as the Tairua Heritage Players.

"It's based on Phyllis Cory-Wright's book Jewel by the Sea and it's based on 1917 to 1960s. It looks at things like the way getting to Tairua changed during that time, and some of the people who lived in the area and some of the main events like the building of the hall."

The show is planned for mid-October and Auriol has written the script and songs, and begun building up the wardrobe with talented Tairua seamstress Jean Clarke.

Whangamata residents will be among the cast and backstage crew.