“Ben brings a great dozy quality to the role of Dulboot and Hendrix Boyce is bringing so much humour to his roll of Mudwiggle the worm. All of the young actors are doing a great job.
With three rehearsals a week over a six-week period, White said she was happy with their progress and expected to run the play without scripts for the first time this week.
“Another thing that surprised me was the quality of the singing. There’s quite a lot of songs in the play and while I cast the play based on the quality of the acting, I was very happy to hear they can also sing so well.”
Costume designer Julie McPhail has had her work cut out with costumes needed for a tree goblin, mouse, apple tree and grasshopper, but White said she was rising to the challenge.
“Julie is doing a great job with the costumes and is trying to re-use and repurpose old costumes. She’s very inventive.”
Badjelly The Witch should appeal to all ages and will be nostalgic for those who read or listened to the Spike Milligan story as children.
White is also happy to be putting on a play featuring so many younger actors.
“It’s very funny and light and there is a bit of audience participation, too.”
Badjelly The Witch, March 14-22.
Unity Theatre, 209 Ormond Rd.
Tickets at eventfinda and Gisborne i-Site.
