Programme 2004 – Rush

Theatre
HAWKE’S BAY INC.
Presents

Rush

THE STAGE MUSICAL

at the Playhouse
24 November – 4 December 2004

Theatre Hawke’s Bay by arrangement with Playmarket presents

Rush!
THE STAGE MUSICAL
by David John and Kevin Lynch

President’s message

We might not have discovered gold in the Hawke’s Bay hills as yet but that does not stop this musical Rush from being relevant to us. Set in Otago in the gold rush days Rush is the story of the miners – at work and at play, the hardships and heartaches and the triumphs. This is a New Zealand musical about our own New Zealand history.

Over the past months the gold pans and picks have been collected and the male cast members have competed to grow the beards common to the time. I feel sure that in the heat of our Hawke’s Bay summer that these will be the first things to vanish too, after the final performance.

Theatre Hawke’s Bay is proud to present Rush, with its strong storyline and catchy songs. I feel sure that this is going to prove one of the popular and enduring musicals.

You will have noticed that the new foyer area has progressed since the last show. We still have much to do, but as most of the work is done by volunteers I think the Society can be proud of what has been achieved so far.

This is our last production for 2004 so on behalf of the Committee I wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
May you strike gold in the vegetable patch!

Sit back and enjoy your visit to the goldfields.

Carl Boyle

Theatre Hawkes Bay wishes to thank these generous sponsors

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Directors notes . . .

I have been made to feel most welcome and thoroughly enjoyed working with Theatre Hawkes Bay again. Congratulations from me to the Rush Company. It is exciting to work with people who are not afraid of hard work, and know that anything is worthwhile doing if one does it to ones fullest capacity. I am indebted to the assistance of Glen Sutherland, Lionel Priest, Ali Beal, Frances Burch, Robin Barker, Digby Edgecombe, Delwyn McLeod and to the entire production team, for their energy and dedication to this production. I hope you enjoy Rush as I have enjoyed directing it.

Valda Peacock – Director

Alison Beal – Musical Director

Alison’s theatre background covers performing in local theatre for Hastings Operatic Society, Napier Operatic and Theatre Hawkes Bay and also improvisational acting mostly in comedy roles.

Alison is a graduate from the Eastern Institute of Technology’s Performing Arts course which she followed by obtaining a Diploma in Performing Arts from Auckland. Earlier this year Alison was the choral director for the Hastings Operatic Society, but this is her first time as musical director. She is enjoying the drama of Rush with the Irish and Scottish themes in the music.

The Rush cast and crew are amazing to work with and Alison wishes to thank Valda for the opportunity.

Frances Burch – Choral Mistress

Music has been an integral part of Frances’ life for at least forty five years! Seven years ago her daughter, Emily, performed in Superstar at the Playhouse. Sadly Emily died six weeks after this. Because the final night of “Rush!” coincides with the date of Emily’s 25th birthday and because music is a powerful force for life, Frances decided it was opportune to become involved in this show.

It has been an interesting and enjoyable experience working on this side of the Chesterhope bridge for Frances after most of her musical experience and expertise being utilised in Taradale and Napier in schools, shows, choirs and private teaching.

Delwyn McLeod – Choreographer

Delwyn’s first stage appearance was at the age of five and she has been dancing ever since.

In her hometown of New Plymouth, Delwyn was involved in school productions and musicals. Most memorable for her being ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (NP Operatic Society), ‘The Undertakers Lament’ ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ and ‘Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat’. Classically trained for fourteen years Delwyn branched into Modern Dance when living in Palmerston North training as a primary school teacher. During this time she completed all I.S.T.D Modern Exams and moved into the area of Choreography. As a teacher Delwyn has transferred her love of dance and movement into the classroom, choreographing dances for various classes and schools. Earlier this year Delwyn returned to the stage as choreographer and a member of the company in Waipawa M&D’s production of Chess.

Delwyn has enjoyed the challenge of being Choreographer and has loved being involved in Theatre Hawkes Bay’s production of Rush!

Robin Barker – Sound Engineer

ALWAYS & Techo. Robin started with stage lighting at age ten at Hereworth School and has been involved with the stage ever since. Over the last fifteen years Robin has specialised in sound with both sound reinforcement and nowadays computer generated sound effects and music. Working with professional directors at the opera company and the Eastern Institute of Technology has broadened Robin’s expertise. Robin is always ready to try new ideas and equipment. He enjoys being part of theatre and is a member of both Theatre Hawkes Bay and Waipawa M&D and is currently the patron of Theatre Hawkes Bay.

Left to right:   Doreen Morris, Jeanne Hall, Digby Edgecombe, Jan Simmers, Carol Horan.

Paul O’Connor – Duncan McKenzie

Paul’s great grandfather, John Bradley, left poverty stricken Ireland during the great potato famine. After working the goldfields of Victoria in the 1840’s he came to New Zealand settling in the Wanganui area. Although he never spoke of his strike (gold) as each of sons became of age he purchased them a farm. Growing up with a keen interest and healthy respect for the pioneer men and women that carved out our early history, Paul looks forward to being part of this production of “Rush!”

Karina Fothergill – Sarah McKenzie

After completing a Dip in Performing Arts (Voice), Karina has trod the boards for a number of years performing in both musicals and plays. Her favourite roles have included ‘Angel’ in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and ‘Meg Brockie’ in “Brigadoon”. Karina has relished the opportunity to develop a more serious role as Sarah McKenzie in this production of “Rush!” Karina would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported her over the years.

Sean Boston – Nathan Hall

Sean Boston first became involved in theatre at Karamu High School where he played Hugo in Bye Bye Birdie. “Rush!” is his fourth show with Theatre Hawkes Bay. His first show for Theatre Hawkes Bay was the Gingerbreadman, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He continued on with children’s shows Jack and the Beanstalk and Old King Cole.

Kirsty Glew – Millie Hall

This is Kirsty’s first major role with Theatre Hawkes Bay. Her debut in musical theatre was at age eleven as a dancing ghost in “Muppet Mania” with the Hastings Operatic Society. For the past two years Kirsty has been at the University of Auckland where she was a member of Campus Cantoris. She also studied dance with Mary Jane O’Riley and had vocal tuition from Caitlin Smith. Kirsty is enjoying being a member of the cast of “Rush!” She is enjoying the opportunity to play the challenging role of Millie and looks forward to being involved in future production with Theatre Hawkes Bay.

Peter Austin- John O’Fea
In his time Peter has played several surly sailors, in “Moby Dick” (the musical), the maniacal ‘Mr Mushnick’ in “Little Shop of Horrors” and a self centred senior soldier (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). In his first show for Theatre Hawkes Bay he takes his most challenging role as the cunning and malicious John O’Fea, a part that he describes as jovial evil. It is not a part that comes easily to the usually mild mannered actor but one that has given unique opportunities to explore the darker side of acting.

Blair Fiveash – Joe Lawson

Blair has been involved with theatre since the age of 11. After a three and a half year break due to illness, determination got the better of him, “Rush!” will be his third show this year. In April Blair’s first show back was Waipawa M&D’s production of “Chess”. Then the role of ‘Hero’ in Napier Operatic society’s sell-out season of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. This is Blair’s first show for Theatre Hawke’s Bay. He would like to thank you all for coming tonight and hopes you enjoy the show.

Toke Kururangi – Dan Nolan

Tuku started out on stage as a naked young Aggie boy from Texas in The Best Little Whore House in Texas. Rush! is Tuku’s third piece with Theatre Hawkes Bay, he was also recently in Brigadoon. This will be his last major performance in Hawkes Bay before Tuku leaves for University in Wellington, pursuing a career in a similar field to acting… politics!

Alen Russell – Bill Lomax

Alen last performed in the pantomime “Old King Cole” at the Playhouse Theatre under the direction of Debe Dewy in the role of ‘The Dame’. Alen’s hometown and place of birth is Levin but asks that you please do not hold that against him. He moved to Hastings eighteen years ago and loves it here. Alen’s partner, Nicky, and his two children, Karl and Tagen, provide him with continuing support. His interests include coaching softball and rugby and running a karaoke and disco sound system. Alen feels that his biggest attribute is his voice.

Peter Berry – John Lomax

Peter’s previous acting experience includes Keirunga junior players some 25 years ago and pretending he knew what he was doing at the auditions. He has also sung years ago with Jim Lawson’s Gilbert and Sullivan group and with the choir for Brigadoon earlier in the year. Married with three teenage children he is a beekeeper and has been having singing lessons for the past year and a half. A keen gardener, woodworker, tramper and poet, but failed miserably at shaving classes.

Dick Waren – Judge

Dick’s first taste of theatre was as Mr Worm Antsillvania in Waipukurau. He has appeared in two Roger Hall plays, The Share Club Waipukurau and Forces Waipukurau Hastings. Theatre Hastings has given Dick the challenge of playing 10 years olds and sixty olds in the same year. Now, Rush has given Dick an opportunity to look at some Zealand history and the dark side of the early settlers in a new land.

Peter Plummer – Appeal Judge

Peter has been involved in theatre for fifty years, treading the boards with the defunct company “Tomoana Players”. He has appeared in over a dozen productions for Hastings Musical Comedy Company (now Theatre Hawkes Bay) as well as a sojourn with both Gisborne Operatic Society and Unity Theatre. A committee member for two terms he is currently a member of the reading Committee. Peter says he was impressed with the Rush script and audiences will respond in like manner to this home-grown written and staged production.

Annette von Hartitzsch – Meg

Annette’s theatrical career began in Central Hawkes Bay, where her most memorable experiences include working under Valda’s direction as ‘Fraulein Schneider’ in “Cabaret” and in the chorus of “Chicago”. She first performed for Theatre Hawkes Bay in 1998 playing a child in Dennis Potter’s “Blue Remembered Hills”. Since then her on-stage personae have included ‘Mabel’ in “70 Girls 70”, ‘Nora Batty’ in “The Last of the Summer Wine” for Theatre Hawkes Bay, and earlier this year, ‘Lady Bracknell’ in “The Importance of Being Earnest” for Keirunga Theatre.

Ray Seymour – Prospector

Ray is delighted to be back with Theatre Hawkes Bay – he last performed at the Playhouse theatre as Melvyn P Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Ray is a member of the Waipawa M&D where he has played a number of other character roles (including Warbucks in Annie and Doolittle in My Fair Lady) earlier this year Molokov in Chess.
Ray also sings in the Central Hawkes Bay Choir and is currently taking vocal lessons from Illeana Otto Johansen. In doing so he has developed an interest in singing classical music.

Act One

Scene One – At the Quay
Prospectors Introduction – Prospector
A New Day Dawns – Company

Scene Two – Interior Immigrant Barracks
A Fair Days Work – Joe, Nathan, Duncan, Company
Gold at Your Fingers – O’Fea and Company
Duncan and Sarah – Duncan and Sarah

Scene Three – Exterior Immigrant Baracks [Barracks]
Bright and Shiny Gold – Company
Cry Your Tears – Sarah, Women and Children.

Scene Four – Arrow Gold Field
The Ballad of Mille Hall – Prospector

Scene Five – Bar at the Arrow Gold Field
Look But Don’t Touch – Meg, Barmaids and Men

Scene Six – Millie’s Cabin
Broken Wings – Mille

Scene Seven – Interior Immigrant Barracks
In a Perfect World – Sarah

Scene Eight – Dan Nolan’s Cabin
That’s What Friends Are For – Dan Nolan, Bill and John Lomax

Act Two

Scene One – Arrow Gold Field
Working Men – Male Company
Sign Your Name – Duncan, Lomax Brother and Company
Hell of a Life on the Arrow – Prospector

Scene Two – Gold Field Courtroom
Seven Doors – Judge and Company
The Wheels Keep On Rolling – Women and Prospector
Appeal Court – Sarah and Appeal Judge

Scene Three – Duncan’s Cell
I Wonder – Duncan and Miners

Scene Four – The Gallows
Seven Steps

Scene Five – Millie’s Cabin
Once Upon a Time – Millie and Joe

Scene Six – Interior of the Lomax
The Ghost of Duncan McKenzie – Prospector and Lomax Brothers
I’ve Got News For You Lady – O’Fea and Prospector

Scene Seven – Bar at the Arrow Gold Field
Try to Make the Best of What You’ve Got – Meg and Company
If I Knew Then & Finale – Duncan, Sarah and Company

Company

Judy Priest
Barbara O’Sullivan
Wiremu Tuhiwai
Adrienne Hurley
Suzie Yoon
James Howes
Ross Kennedy
Carol Seymour
Tawera Tahuri
Yvonne Williams
David Burfield
Karyn Glew
Trevor Ruffell
Jessie von Hartitzsch
Delwyn McLeod
Glen Sutherland
Sylvia McKenna

Children

Soraya Beheshti
Alesha Cottle
Sarah Jeffares
Marcus Jonasson-Bell
Joel Cox
Isaac Cox
Levi Cox
Joel Willets
Nikki Hunter

ACKNOWLEDEMENTS [ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS]

Theatre Hawke’s Bay would like to express gratitude to the following people or firms for their assistance and for loaning or donating items and materials used in presenting this production for your entertainment.

Richmond Painters/Arts Group, TaxLink Hastings Ltd, Sky TV Hawke’s Bay, Logan Stone Ltd, Morgan Builders, Kevin Lynch and the Friends of the Society.

Please note that the Playhouse is a Non Smoking venue
No video or audio recording allowed
Please turn off your mobile phone and wristwatch alarms

Production Team

Director   Valda Peacock
Musical Director   Ali Beal
Choral Director   Frances Burch
Choreographer   Delwyn Mcleod
Repetiteur   Digby Edgecombe
Production Manager   Lionel Priest
Production Secretary   Glen Sutherland
Stage Manager   George Astridge
Stage Crew   Ron Osborne, John Glew, Maree Moyes
Properties Manager   Jeanne Hall
Assited [Assisted] by   Coral Horan, Doreen Morris
Sound Engineer   Robin Barker
Sound Assistant   Tod Bray
Lighting Design   Bryan Rodgers
Lighting Design   Megan Peacock
Publicity/Programme   Trevor Ruffell
Make-Up   Sandra Hunter
Hair Styles   Jaye Morrison, Delwyn Mcleod
Mane Attractions Hair Studio

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