Harlequin notches up five awards

THRILLED: Richard Brooks with his award.

"An excellent cast and crew" and a hard-hitting New Zealand play have helped clinch Harlequin Theatre five awards at a Wellington drama festival.

Harlequin entered its version of Gary Henderson's Peninsula in this year's Wellington District Theatre Federation Full-Length Play Festival, taking home five awards - Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Ensemble Work, as well as two special commendations.

Peninsula was up against nine other full-length plays from around the Wellington region and, out of all the entries, won the most accolades at the final night dinner.

Play director and long-time Harlequin member Richard Brooks said the Masterton-based theatre had entered the 20-year-old competition several times but, on this occasion, had netted its "biggest" array of awards yet.

"It was cool - we all slapped each other on the back when they announced we'd won," said Mr Brooks.

"We knew we'd done a good job with Peninsula, but it was nice to hear outsiders say (our cast was) the best compared with others in the Wellington region.

"It shows we've got some talented theatre people in Wairarapa - and brilliant directors, of course."

Brooks, while thrilled with his "Best Director" nod, said his cast of five deserved the most praise for their efforts.

Peninsula, a tale of family life on Banks Peninsula in the 1960s, required the adult cast to play a gang of excitable 10-year-olds and a dog - as well as their parents and teacher.

"They totally deceived the audience. Watching them was like watching a couple of ordinary New Zealand families - with all the prejudice and violence going on underneath.

"Being a director is like owning a business - you need to surround yourself with brilliant people to make your vision work."

Brooks said the play gained positive feedback when it was performed at Harlequin in March - especially the actors' portrayal of the "less desirable traits" of small town life.

"It reflected the parts of New Zealand society we choose to gloss over."

As well as the three major awards, Harlequin gained commendations for the use of camera obscura lighting techniques, and for actor James Riley's portrayal of "Pug the dog".