Community Theatre

Big community theatres in New Zealand are riding a wave of success and are spoiled for choice about what show to do next. David Spicer reports. 

The companies have the advantage of large theatre venues, with well-developed local audiences, and often own a building to rehearse and build sets in.

As well, they are offered musicals not available to community theatres in Australia, where professional companies hold the rights.

A national tour of Mamma Mia! commenced last month with its premiere in Auckland.

Five Minutes with Simon Greer, Willoughby Theatre Company’s Phantom of the Opera

What does playing the role of 'The Phantom' mean to you?

I have been fascinated by the show ever since I first learnt of it in primary school. It is a pretty iconic role for a musical theatre actor to play and I am so lucky to be able to have a crack at such an interesting character.

What is the biggest highlight of playing this role?

Classic Cole Porter songs transformed Philip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story into the well-loved MGM movie musical High Society, on stage at The Mousetrap Theatre Company Inc., Redcliffe Showgrounds (Qld), from May 2, 2014.

C. K. Dexter Haven (Jason Kirby) was divorced from wealthy socialite Tracy Samantha Lord (Donna Woollard), but remains in love with her. She, however, is about to get married to a bland gentleman of good standing, George Kittredge (Marcus Thomas).

If a man is newly divorced and an empty nester, what does he do with the rest of his life? That’s the dilemma facing Dan Tilney in Galleon Theatre Group’s Australian Premiere of Stephen Metcalfe’s gentle comedy Loves & Hours.