October is so busy that there’s not much room for detail here suffice to say that:

Tadpole Productions returns with the drama-comedy Two by English writer Jim Cartwright. Lisa Chappell and Paul Glover play a married couple who are pub ‘landlord’ and ‘landlady’. The stories of 14 characters, all played by Paul and Lisa, unfold in a typical pub in the North of England. Landlord and Landlady reveal details about their fragile relationship, while intermittently slipping in and out of the personas of the other characters, the pub’s patrons. Two sounds like a compelling play with intriguing characters – looking forward to this ‘one’. 

Legendary Kiwi author Joy Cowley’s serial pet-washer Mrs.Wishy-Washy takes the stage in Tim Bray Productions’ school holidays show. Last week’s education season sold out in record time so clearly there are hundreds of Wishy-Washy fans. This is the perfect show to introduce toddlers to live theatre.

Guzheng is a musical instrument originating in China over 2500 years ago. Lin Zheng, of Zheng’s Music Studio, joins her students on stage to perform their annual concert. Although it’s known as the Chinese zither, the guzheng’s sound more closely resembles that of a standard orchestral pedal harp. 

A Story About a Poet is a love story by Milford playwright Yabing Liu of I-start Chinese Theatre. A short segment was performed at our 40th Anniversary showcase in May this year leaving the mainly English- speaking audience entranced by a moving performance. A synopsis will be provided in English for non-Mandarin speakers. This is a beautiful play. Highly recommended.

It’s a brave theatre company that stages back-to-back shows. Straight after A Story About a Poet, I-start Chinese Theatre debuts its stage adaptation of Dial M for Murder - in Mandarin.  

It’s Heritage Festival time again. Our history banners, sponsored by Benefitz, will be outside in the vicinity of the theatre. Take a stroll and learn interesting snippets of local history. 

And if you want to feed the birds, please bring frozen peas instead of bread – they told us they’re all on a no-carbs diet. 

James Bell

What’s On:

Until October 14

Tim Bray Productions presents

School holidays theatre for children

MRS WISHY-WASHY by Joy Cowley

Two shows per day except Sunday$22 - $25

September 30 – October 15

The Auckland Heritage Festival

PUMPHOUSE HERITAGE WALK

Free event

October 15 at 7pm

NZ Zheng Music studio presents 

CHARM OF CHINESE GUZHENG

All tickets $25

October 16 - December 11  

Mondays 4pm-5pm (except Labour Day)

The PumpHouse Term 4

AFTER SCHOOL DRAMA PROGRAMME

7-11 years

$100 per term per child

October 16 & 17 at 7.30pm

I-start Chinese Theatre presents

A STORY ABOUT A POET by Yabing Liu

A New Zealand play performed in Manadrin

Tickets $20 - $25

October 19 – 21 at 7.30pm

I-start Chinese Theatre presents

DIAL M FOR MURDER

Performed in Mandarin

Tickets $20 - $25

October 26 – November 5

Tadpole productions presents

TWO By Jim Cartwright

Tue – Sat  7.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm, Sunday 4pm

Adult $39, senior $35, student $25            

Friend of The PumpHouse $30

Groups 10+ $35　

The PumpHouse Theatre, Killarney Park, off Manurere Ave, Takapuna

Bookings 09 489 8360

www.pumphouse.co.nz