THE PUMPHOUSE THEATRE: What's On

The Pumphouse Theatre: What’s On

The Santa Claus Show
Tim Bray Productions returns to the PumpHouse for the company’s traditional Christmas show. We asked Tim Bray some Christmassy questions.

Christmas is an exciting time for children, what is your enduring memory of Christmas with your family when you were a child?
“I still vividly remember waking up on Christmas mornings, racing to the fireplace to see stockings filled with presents and being truly amazed at the magic of Santa Claus. And there was always an orange at the very bottom. Mum and Dad also used to have an annual Christmas party and seeing grown-ups play silly parlour games was always a treat.”
In England it’s a Christmas tradition to attend a pantomime. Is The Santa Claus Show your Kiwi version of a Christmas Panto?
“I was born in Kaikoura, and Mum and Dad are both English and used to tell us about the pantomimes back ‘home’. When I saw my first pantomime as an adult in Brighton I finally understood what they meant. Although we have a ‘he’s behind you’ scene in The Santa Claus Show, it’s more of a magical Christmas play with songs.
This year sees the 10th anniversary production of The Santa Claus Show. Has Tim Raby always played the role of Santa? And what makes Tim such a good Santa?
“Tim Raby and I are long term acting friends. Whenever we do shows together, his friends see my name in the programme and say to him “Tim, they spelled your name wrong”. My friends see his name and say to me, “Tim, they spelled your name wrong”. He appeared in the first production of The Santa Claus Show back in 1991 and has since performed as Santa in eight of the ten productions. Tim is wonderful as Santa - a real twinkle in his eye, a hearty chuckle and a warm, generous spirit.”
You have two sons. Do they still believe in Santa?
“I hope they do! They still love seeing Santa’s ‘snowy’ footprints across the carpet and check on the carrots and water left for Rudolph.”
Do aspects of the story of The Santa Claus Show change from year to year to keep it topical?
“We might change the toy characters to keep them relevant, or add some new quips in but the show is timeless and its message enduring. Some families come every year as part of their Christmas traditions.”
You are sometimes able to offer sponsored seats for low-decile school groups to attend the Santa Claus Show. How do these less privileged children respond to the story compared with other school groups?
“They’re just the best audiences and we have actors who have tears of joy in their eyes after performing for them. Some of these children have never been out of their own suburb, or seen the Sky Tower, or been across the Harbour Bridge, or been to a theatre. By the time they arrive at The PumpHouse they’re already so excited and they respond so naturally and enthusiastically to the show. Takapuna residents and long-time supporters of the arts on the North Shore, David & Geneveive Becroft are wonderful sponsors of these shows, thank you!”
Children are encouraged to dress up when they come to your productions. What is the best costume you have seen a child wearing to The Santa Claus Show?
“I’d have to say a brother and sister that turned up as Mr and Mrs Claus - too cute!” The Santa Claus Show has become an annual family favourite and a great way to get kids excited about Christmas (as if they really need any inducement). The final week of performances in Christmas week tend to sell out. The PumpHouse recommends booking early to avoid disappointment.

Something Wicked This Way comes.....
Shakespeare outdoors at The PumpHouse Amphitheatre in 2012
First cab off the rank on The PumpHouse calendar next year is Auckland’s leading Shakespeare festival, Shoreside Theatre’s 2012 season of Shakespeare in the Park.
Performed outside in the PumpHouse Amphitheatre, the summer season of Shakespeare is an extremely popular Takapuna event.

Macbeth and Antony & Cleopatra
Prophecies, augury, witchcraft and superstition underscore events in these two great classics. Add ruthless ambition, hunger for romantic love, greed for political power, blood and guts, sex, lust and tragedy and you have the reason why Shakespeare’s take on the human condition has remained contemporary and wildly popular for 400 years. Human nature being what it is, the themes are as relevant now as the day they were written.
After Shoreside Theatre’s great success with the 2011 season Shakespeare in Love, the company sought further dramatic challenges with contrasting countries and periods for the Shakespeare in the Park 2012; Macbeth, set in the dour Scottish dark ages and Antony & Cleopatra located in the heat, allure and mystery of ancient Egypt and Rome. Macbeth, often referred to as the Scottish Play, is a tortured story of witchcraft, the ambition of a man spurred on by his wife who murders his way to the Scottish throne and final retribution. In contrast, Antony & Cleopatra, history’s most famous lovers, is a double tragedy portraying Antony’s infatuation, shame, humiliation and suicide and most evident, Cleopatra’s vanity, frivolity and the courage of her death.
The epic Antony & Cleopatra alternates throughout the season with Macbeth.
Performed under the stars in The PumpHouse Amphitheatre, this is Milford-based Shoreside Theatre’s 16th Shakespeare summer season staged true to text and period.
Make this your first event for 2012.

Give the gift of live theatre with PumpHouse Gift Vouchers
We have some fantastic shows lined up for next year to suit audiences of all ages so for those of you who are at a loss as to what to get your loved ones this Christmas, The PumpHouse has gift vouchers available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

Whats On

Tim Bray Productions presents
The Santa Claus Show
By Tim Bray
December 5-23. All tickets - $21. No age concessions. Family rate 4+ $18.75 ea. Group rates avail for 10+
All children, including toddlers who are walking, must have an allocated seat and a ticket. Running time 1 hour.
No shows on Sundays.
Shoreside Theatre presents
Shakespeare in the Park
Macbeth and Antony & Cleopatra
January 13 – February 11
Tickets: $17-$24
Generous discounts when booking for both shows at the same time.
Running time approx 2.5 hours.
No shows on Mondays.

Bookings: Ph 489 8360 or
www.pumphouse.co.nz
The PumpHouse Theatre (off Manurere Ave)
Killarney Park, Takapuna.
info@pumphouse.co.nz