What: Shrew'd
Where and when: Auckland Performing Arts Centre (Tapac), Motions Rd, Western Springs; Jan 24-27, 8pm with extra 2pm performances on Sat & Sun
KEY POINTS:
Dozens of families have visited Auckland Zoo during the summer holidays, unaware that a group of young actors working away in the building directly opposite have also been feeling the heat.
For the cast of Auckland Theatre Company's production Shrew'd, this is a rare opportunity, and unlike anything the ATC has done before.
Ten actors aged 18-25 with no professional experience were recruited through an online audition process, then put through their paces in a "theatre boot camp" for 15 days before tonight's opening show.
Margaret-Mary Hollins' script marries Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with a later Jacobean piece, John Fletcher's The Tamer Tamed, widely believed to have been a response to Shrew. The result is a "radical reinterpretation" of the traditional story.
Hollins opens the drama with lead characters Kate (Julia Croft) and Petruchio (Omar Al-Sobky) meeting in a boxing ring. The ring itself is set up outside and, after the opening scenes, audiences will be led into the theatre proper by two hosts (Omer Gilroy and Luke Bird) who interact with theatre-goers throughout the performance.
Hollins initially planned to stage the entire production in the boxing ring but, after exploring the versatile Auckland Performing Arts Centre, she decided the theatre itself could take a starring role.
The young cast have had to learn quickly to keep up with the challenges thrown their way but that is to be expected, says Isla Adamson, who plays Sylvia.
Sara Stone, cast as the spirited Bianca, say they have been well looked after with on-site catering and the opportunity to work with visiting theatre professionals like Sylvia Rands and Cameron Rhodes. "People keep telling us we'll never have it so good again."
While it is a bold venture for ATC, artistic director Colin McColl is quietly confident all has gone to plan.
McColl recruited Hollins for the director's job after hearing her ideas for the story and because of her experience devising theatre specifically for young people.
He says the initial idea to give young actors a break has been successful, and if the production itself tempts newcomers to theatre, all the better.
"We are always interested in new talent but it's hard to have big open auditions. Last time we advertised an open audition, we got around 1200 applicants but I can only see about 60 so an online process was a way to see who was out there from all over the country." Of the 400 or so who auditioned online, 86 were asked to appear in person for Hollins, producer Lynne Cardy, McColl and one of four guest judges - Robyn Malcolm, David Fane, Craig Parker and Toni Potter.
Eventually, Isla Adamson, Omar Al-Sobky, Luke Bird, Ben Cain, Julia Croft, Omer Gilroy, Robin Kerr, Sara Stone, Vasa Tasele and Rudi Vodanovich were chosen.
"There were a few people we really liked but thought wouldn't be right for this show. Of those, three emailed us and said, 'We are gutted we didn't get in but if there's anything we can do, we still want to be a part of things.'
"We needed a crew so we brought them on and gradually they have inserted themselves in the show in smaller supporting roles which has been wonderful."
Scripts were sent out at the end of November and rehearsals started on January 7.
For Vasa Tasele, who plays Baptista, it meant cutting short a family holiday in Samoa and celebrating his 23rd birthday at rehearsals.
Not that he minds. "I have been in New Zealand for 10 years after coming here for school which was a bit of a challenge because I did not speak English. I took drama classes as a way to improve my English and the theatre became my passion.
"I gave everything I had at the audition because I wanted it so badly and now it's here, I am making the most of it."
