Petera Hudson looks forward to sharing happy memories at the Our Salad Days reunion this weekend. Photo / Bevan Conley
"As I'm getting older, chip up on my shoulder, rolling through life, to roll over and die ..."
So sang the cast of the Whanganui production of Salad Days when they performed at the Four Seasons Theatre in the 1980s.
One cast member who definitely does not have a chip upon his shoulder is Latin dance master Petera Hudson who met his wife Marie-Louise Pelzers and formed lasting friendships through Whanganui theatre.
He plans to reunite with several of his fellow thespians this weekend.
Hudson floated the idea of a reunion when he met up with some theatre buddies late last year.
"The idea developed organically over a few wines and we decided to make it a 1980s reunion."
Many of those who trod the boards at Amdram and the Four Seasons in Putiki Drive more than 30 years ago went on to form professional theatre careers and some will be coming back to Whanganui for the reunion this weekend.
One of those is Wellington-based actress, writer, singer, director and producer of film and theatre April Phillips who will lead a tribute to Four Seasons director David Smiles.
Hudson listed several former players who have found national and international success from the springboard of Whanganui theatre.
Other luminaries include musician Andrew London, radio host Pauline "Polly" Gillespie, United States-based dancer, teacher and choreographer Glynn Grey and actress and theatre director Lyndee-Jane Rutherford.
Amdram, founded as the Wanganui Amateur Dramatic Club in 1874, is the oldest musical theatre in New Zealand and Hudson says the weekend reunion will be a good prequel for the approaching 150th reunion.
"Amdram archivist Ian Jones has been a fantastic help to me in putting together a database of people involved in productions during the 80s."
The reunion will begin with registrations at Amdram followed by a viewing of Amdram's current production, Yours Truly, on Friday night.
Although the Four Seasons staged its last production in 1997 and is now home to Jaci and Kevin Tozer, the theatre has been lovingly preserved by the current owners.
The Tozers will open it up for Saturday's events which will include tributes to theatre members who have died led by Craig Cleveland, Mike and Joan Street will lead a tribute to the Four Seasons while Morris Richards will lead a tribute to Amdram.
"There will be a dinner on Saturday night and we will wind up with a brunch on Sunday morning," said Hudson.
So far, 32 people have confirmed their attendance and Hudson says it is not too late for others who were part of Whanganui theatre in the 1980s to get in touch. They're invited to call him on 027 658 4663 or visit the Our Salad Days Facebook post.
As the crowd chanted, Seymour walked back into the Beehive with his MPs.