THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT with Shane Cortese

School Holidays Theatre for Children at The PumpHouse

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch.
Tim Bray Productions returns to The PumpHouse in April with an old favourite. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch is a stage adaptation by Tim Bray of the popular children’s stories of Ronda and David Armitage.
Ronda Armitage is a New Zealand-born writer whose husband David illustrates her children’s stories. The Lighthouse Keeper tales are now firm favourites across two generations of readers. Published in 1977 The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch is Ronda and David’s first in the series.
Tim Bray Productions last brought this production to The PumpHouse in 2006 with Paul Norell in the role of The Lighthouse Keeper. Five years on and Paul is keen to reprise his role as Mr. Grinling and will be joined by Madeleine Lynch as Mrs. Grinling with Natasha Yusoff as Hamish the cat.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Tim Bray Productions. Artistic director Tim Bray’s passion for making quality children’s theatre has seen him create stage adaptations of some of the world’s most popular stories including Badjelly the Witch, Pippi Longstocking and The Twits. He has also brought to life the works of esteemed New Zealand writers Margaret Mahy (The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate) and Joy Cowley (Greedy Cat). Children who come dressed up in their favourite costumes when they come to see a Tim Bray Productions show are encouraged to get up on stage for a bow before the show – a thrill for many little ones.
Later this year, during the July and September/October School holidays Tim Bray Productions will stage brand new adaptations of two of the most famous New Zealand children’s stories – A Lion in the Meadow by Magaret Mahy and Hairy MacLary by Lynley Dodd. Tickets are on sale now for all three shows as well as for The Santa Claus Show coming in December.
Tim Bray Productions is offering an early bird special for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch . All tickets are only $16.50 each for performances on Saturday 16 April and Monday 18 April –usual price $21. These special price tickets sell fast - don’t miss out.

Gavin Puts Things Straight
Last year Devonport Theatre Company presented ‘Pear Shaped’, the debut play written by the company’s founder Andy Saker. The bittersweet comedy, set around a barbeque in Takapuna, was well received by North Shore audiences and elicited great reviews. Andy is taking the story of Gavin, one of the main Pear Shaped characters further in his second play ‘Gavin Puts Things Straight’ which will be performed at The PumpHouse in early May. Tickets for ‘Gavin Puts Things Straight’ are on sale now.

What’s on/Coming soon

Tim Bray Productions Presents
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch
April 11 – 30
Two shows daily 10.30am & 1pm
(No shows Sundays or Public holidays)

Devonport Theatre Company Presents
Gavin Puts Things Straight
A North Shore comedy by Andy Saker
May 4 – 14

A Rock’n and a Roll’n

Two years ago I had the pleasure of touring around New Zealand with a true Rock’n’Roll Legend. I love early rock’n’roll music and everything that goes with it. The clothes, the cars! It was a real era of excitement and innocence. (Well that’s what they tell us, but I’m not so sure!)
So when I get to meet an artist who helped shape that generation of music it’s a great thrill, because to be fair there are
not as many of them around as we would like any more.
I supported Gerry Marsden on his last national tour. I played the first 40 minutes, then the Scouse rocker did the second half with his band the Pacemakers.
He was fantastic! We had a “Welcome to New Zealand BBQ” round at my house and we hit it off. There were times I couldn’t believe I had the guy who recorded the song that my favourite football team, Liverpool, have adopted as their anthem, in my house.
Gerry’s voice is in as great a shape as it was 50 years ago and the on-stage banter is all you would expect from 50 years of touring the world!
After each concert we would head back to the hotel and talk for hours about music back in the day. When he tells a story about kicking about with John, Paul, George, and Ringo it’s almost hard to believe it’s true, but it is. He was there when the Liverpool bands changed the face of music at the Cavern.
He comes to our hometown this April along with another legendary band – Herman’s Hermits. I can say with great authority, having been there last time,
that this is a nostalgic concert you won’t want to miss and, even for the
younger generations, take the opportunity to see a real legend at play!!
Sunday April 10 at the Bruce Mason Centre. See you at the show!

Shane Cortese – shane@channelmag.co.nz

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