RENT | The Court Theatre

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Nau mai haere mai It is our great pleasure to welcome you to RENT! Those of you who are familiar with our programming will know that RENT has been a long time in getting to the stage. The culprit, of course, was the disruption of the pandemic. So, for our team, RENT signifies our world normalising and leaning into the ongoing creation of amazing story telling and Theatre for Aotearoa, for all of us.

Our Artistic Director, Dr Alison Walls, has described this seminal musical, to add to the depth of all of our understanding — you can enjoy her writing when you turn the page. But, just before you do, we want to continue to share the journey of our new home in the city and let you know that the builders have been appointed — Hawkins will build the new Court Theatre.

We expect to open in November 2024! A huge thank you to The Court’s project team and Trust Board, to all of our donors, grant makers and sponsors, and to our partners in this venture — Christchurch City Council.

We particularly thank David Sidaway and the team at Golden Healthcare Group for their continued support over so many years. This is their last year sponsoring the summer musical and this partnership has helped to bring some truly wonderful shows to Christchurch.

We are very grateful for their commitment to The Court and what it has enabled us to create.

Thank you to our exceptional Court team, the amazing cast and crew, and all of you who are here enjoying the very best of musical theatre in Aotearoa.

If you are reading this pre-31 December, then we wish you a happy and safe festive season and, if we are now in the new year, please come visit us often.

Let’s make 2023 a new start for an exciting and fulfilling year!

Ka kite anō Barbara George Chief Executive / Tumu Whakarae

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2

Kia ORa Experiencing RENT in 2022 adds layers of meaning to an already meaningful show.

Entering into Jonathan Larson’s bohemian 1990s Lower East Side of New York, we are able to take stock of all that has and hasn’t changed in our recent past. Gentrification has transformed the once gritty, sometimes dangerous, always alternative Lower East Side, but the HIV / AIDS crisis is also radically different. How beautiful and poignant is the toast “To people living with, living with, living with... not dying from disease!” when HIV / AIDS truly is no longer a death sentence? And how important are works such as RENT in changing and humanising that narrative?

Larson’s characters are thrillingly, profoundly human — flawed, sure — but wonderfully alive.

2022 also gives us the perspective to recognise the artistic importance of this musical. Larson died the day of the first off-Broadway preview perfromance of RENT, and so never saw the enduring impact of his work. Yet even those musical theatre fans not among the adoring “RENT-heads” cannot deny that RENT changed the musical theatre landscape.

Honoured with multiple posthumous awards (including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama), RENT ran on Broadway for over a decade and changed the lives of the original cast. While closely following — more closely than many realise — Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème (the idea of the adaptation was playwright Billy Aronson’s), RENT is unapologetically of its moment. Its contemporaneity is there in the setting and the musically and lyrically complex rock numbers, but the characters are also drawn directly from Larson’s friends. RENT is underpinned by this intimate and immediate reality.

RENT is a riotous ensemble musical. Director Lara Macgregor and Musical Director Richard Marrett have assembled an incredible cast who bring their whole selves to their performance. RENT demands the intelligence, artistic sensibility and sheer skill that Lara and Richard, with Movement Director, Shane Anthony, have brought to their work. With them, the remarkable design team have created an immersive world, capturing not just time and place, but the character and energy, of La Vie Bohème!

Ngā mihi nui Dr Alison Walls Artistic Director / Pou Kaitohu Toi

“EXPLORE WHAT MAKES TOWNSEND FIELDS THE CHOICE FOR LIVING.”

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Book, music and lyrics by

JONATHAN LARSON

Original Concept / Additional Lyrics BILLY ARONSON

Musical Arrangements STEVE SKINNER Musical Supervision And Additional Arrangements TIM WEIL

Dramaturg LYNN THOMSON

RENT was originally produced in NEW YORK by NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP and on BROADWAY SELLER, KEVIN McCOLLUM, ALLAN S. GORDON and NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP

by JEFFERY

Li c e n se d e x cl u si v e l y by Mu si c Theat re I nt ernat ional (Aus t ralas ia) .

Directed by LARA MACGREGOR CAST

Musical Direction by RICHARD MARRETT BAND

Mark Cohen Ben Freeth

Keys 1 Richard Marrett

Roger Davis James Bell

Guitar Michael Ferrar

Mimi Marquez Monique Clementson Maureen Johnson Jane Leonard Tom Collins Cameron Clayton

Bass Bradley Grainger Drums Mitchell Thomas Guitar 2, Keys 2 Tyler Robbins

Angel Dumott Schunard Bailey Dunnage Joanne Jefferson Anna Francesca Armenia Benjamin Coffin III (Benny) Elijah Williams Ensemble / Featured Vocalist Brady Peeti Ensemble / Mark Understudy James Foster Ensemble / Roger Understudy Cameron Douglas Ensemble / Tom Collins Understudy Lance Ainofo Ensemble / Angel Understudy Jared Pallesen Ensemble / Mimi Understudy Nomi Cohen Ensemble / Joanne Understudy Kathleen Burns Ensemble / Maureen Understudy Darlene Mohekey Ensemble / Benjamin Coffin III Nic Kyle (Benny) Understudy

CREATIVES Director Lara Macgregor Musical Director Richard Marrett Movement Director Shane Anthony Set Designer Mark McEntyre Costume Designer Tina Hutchison-Thomas Assistant Musical Director / Caelan Thomas Répétiteur Intimacy Direction Jennifer Ward-Lealand Lighting Designer Grant Robertson Sound Designer Glen Ruske Audiovisual Designer Andrew Todd Properties Manager Julian Southgate Stage Manager (until 31 December) Scott Leighton

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL CREDITS

Stage Manager (from 4 January) Mandy Perry

We thank the entire Court Theatre whānau for their exceptional work and dedication in producing this play. Also:

Assistant Stage Manager (season) Haydon Dickie

Centrespread by Charlie Rose Creative; Nathan Firmin (Patched Keyboards); Erica Browne; The Classic Villa; Whitebait Studios; Sonja Gray and the team at Christchurch Rentals; Sophie Ricketts and Family; Glen Hemi and Family; Rob Henderson; David Bosworth; Kristina Saul - New Zealand Voice Physiotherapy; Showbiz Christchurch; Ruairi McEntyre.

Proudly printed by Caxton RUNNING TIME: Two and a half hours, including a 20-minute interval WARNINGS: Drug use, adult themes, reference to suicide, coarse language and controversial elements. This production features sitting, dancing and standing on tables. Prop posters show cut-through images of heads.

VIDEOTAPING: The videotaping of this production is a violation of United States copyright law and actionable federal offense.

RENT was produced by The Court Theatre 19 November 2022 – 21 January 2023

Follow Spot / Floor Crew Greta Casey-Solly Lighting Operator Darren McKane Set Construction Manager Matt McCutcheon Set Construction Nigel Kerr Seth Ellis Richard van den Berg Richard Daem Andrew Hampton Graffiti Artist Nick Lowry Costume Manager Daniella Salazar Costume Construction Findlay Currie Annie Graham Pauline Laws Hair and Wigs Co-ordinator Sarah Buchanan Make-up Co-ordinator Angela Pethig Props and Costume Assistant Rochelle Wright

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JONATHAN LARSON Jonathan Larson received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation’s Commendation Award.

In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical Sitting on the Edge of the Future. In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical Superbia, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon. He composed the score for the musical J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue Tick, Tick... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop.

In addition to scoring and song writing for Sesame Street, he created music for a number of children’s book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg’s An American Tail and Land Before Time. Other film scores include work for Rolling Stone’s magazine publisher, Jann Wenner. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for Away We Go, a musical video for children.

RENT, his rock opera based on La Bohème, had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop. Mr Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday. His music (including songs cut from his shows) is archived in the Library of Congress.

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Director s Note '

In 1994, nearly eight years after writing, composing and peddling RENT around New York City looking for a producer, Jonathan Larson found his group of collaborators.

Creatives from the New York Theatre Workshop believed emphatically enough in his work to bring RENT to fruition on stage. After many months of development, tragedy struck the eve of opening night when Jonathan Larson died suddenly of an aortic dissection. Who could have predicted RENT would become one of the longest running musicals on Broadway, a multiple award-winner, a movie adaptation and grace thousands of stages throughout the world?

Who could have predicted, while pursuing my dream to be an actress in New York City in 1996, sitting in the Nederlander Theatre watching RENT burst before me with unbridled energy, that I’d be directing it at The Court Theatre in 2022? Who could have imagined, nearly 30 years on, I too would be surrounded by collaborators with such talent, dogged work ethic and passion, all striving to honour Jonathan Larson’s legacy?

For the key creatives on this project — Timmy, Richard, Mark, Shane, Tina, Daniella, Grant, Julian, Matt, Glenn, Andrew, Giles, Julie and Scott — there’s no better bunch of bohemians I’d rather work with.

You’re phenomenal.

Cast — you are nothing short of incredible. I have utter respect for your talent and you’re all disgustingly beautiful humans too.

I feel incredibly grateful. Certainly, for the opportunity to direct RENT but, mostly, for my artistic life. Thirty years of collaborating and creation. That’s 30 years Jonathan didn’t get.

I hope we’ve done him proud and made the precious years he did get to pursue his passion worth it.

“Art is about love – the love you never got as a child – the love you can’t give as an adult – the love you can only give your work” – Jonathan Larson Lara Macgregor Director

Dine, drink, dance and play at the Christchurch Casino.

Song LIST ACT 1

ACT 2

“Tune Up #1” – Mark, Roger

“Seasons of Love A” – Company

“Voice Mail #1” – Mark’s Mother

“Happy New Year A” – Mimi, Roger, Mark, Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Angel

“Tune Up #2” – Mark, Roger, Collins, Benny “Rent” – Mark, Roger, Collins, Benny, Joanne and Company “You Okay Honey?” – Christmas Caroler, Angel, Collins “Tune Up #3” – Mark, Roger “One Song Glory” – Roger “Light My Candle” – Mimi, Roger “Voice Mail #2” – Joanne’s parents “Today 4 U” – Collins, Roger, Mark, Angel “You’ll See” – Benny, Mark, Roger, Collins, Angel “Tango: Maureen” – Joanne, Mark “Life Support” – Paul, Gordon, Steve, Ali, Pam, Sue, Angel, Collins, Mark “Out Tonight” – Mimi “Another Day” – Mimi, Roger, Company “Will I?” – Steve and Company “On the Street” – Company “Santa Fe” – Collins, Angel, Mark, Company “I’ll Cover You” – Angel, Collins “We’re Okay” – Joanne “Christmas Bells” – Company “Over the Moon” – Maureen “La Vie Bohème A” – Company “I Should tell You” – Mimi, Roger “La Vie Bohème B” – Joanne, Maureen, Mark, Angel, Collins and Company

“Voice Mail #3” – Mark’s Mother, Alexi Darling “Happy New Year B” – Maureen, Mark, Joanne, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Benny, The Man “Take Me or Leave Me” – Maureen, Joanne “Seasons of Love B” – Company “Without You” – Roger, Mimi “Voice Mail #4” – Alexi Darling “Contact” – Company “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” – Collins and Company “Halloween” – Mark “Goodbye Love” – Mimi, Roger, Benny, Maureen, Joanne, Mark, Collins “What You Own” – Mark, Roger “Voice Mail #5” – Roger’s Mother, Mimi’s Mother, Mr. Jefferson, Mark’s Mother “Finale A” – Company “Your Eyes” – Roger “Finale B” – Company

i.

er and Mim - Mark, Maureen, Rog s through costume ter rac cha g gin isa Env n-Thomas) (Credit: Tina Hutchiso

Lara Macgregor Lara works primarily as an actor, director, dramaturg and performance coach in New Zealand.

She studied acting in New York City with Uta Hagen, Anthony Abeson and Tony Greco and subsequently worked for ten years as an actor in the U.S. She holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Directing from The National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney and has directed over 40 productions in the last decade.

In 2009, Lara was appointed Associate Artistic Director at The Court Theatre in Christchurch and, in 2010, went on to become Artistic Director at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin. Directing highlights include Red; In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play); Tribes; Souvenir; The Caretaker; Punk Rock and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Since 2015 she has been freelancing with multiple companies including Auckland Theatre Company, Circa Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre, The Actors’ Program, National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) and the University of Otago Theatre Studies.

Recent acting credits include Annie Wilkes in Misery (The Court Theatre); Sgt Gillian Carmichael in Clickbait (Netflix); Fran in Things I Know to Be True (The Court / Circa Theatre); Mrs Roidern in One of Us Is Lying (Netflix) and Deborah in the soon-to-bereleased feature film Bad Behaviour, directed by Alice Englert.

When she has time outside the theatre and film world, Lara is an avid photographer. She enjoys taking actors’ headshots, can often be found on set as a stills photographer, and is currently working on a solo photography project - Six Degrees of Inspiration: NZ’s Unsung Heroes.

Lara is represented by the wonderful team at Gail Cowan Management.

Richard Marrett Musical Director

Richard is well-known for his work throughout the country as a musical director, vocal coach, pianist, arranger and conductor. Previously, he worked as manager of the degree programmes offered by the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) and Ara Music Arts.

He has conducted and arranged for Showbiz Christchurch, Wellington Musical Theatre, ARTCO, Dunedin Operatic, Invercargill Musical Theatre, Ashburton Variety Theatre, Wellington Vector Orchestra and the Choral Federation and arranged for the Christchurch City and Orpheus choirs.

His musical direction credits for The Court Theatre include My Fair Lady; South Pacific; The Rocky Horror Show; The Sound of Music; Jerry’s Girls; Oliver!; Guys and Dolls; The Producers; La Cage Aux Folles; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Anything Goes; Cabaret; Side By Side By Sondheim; Grease; End of the Rainbow; Blood Brothers; Mary Poppins; Legally Blonde the Musical; Songs For Nobodies; Chicago; Jesus Christ Superstar; Jersey Boys and Little Shop of Horrors.

Several of his orchestrations have been recorded with the NZSO and he is often found working as producer and arranger on a number of recording projects. Richard’s work with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra has included seasons of Starry Nights and Classical Sparks in Hagley Park and the popular concert productions Oh, Danny Boy; Broadway Broads; Rodgers and Hammerstein; Bernstein and Sondheim; The Magical Music of Disney and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was also responsible for the musical supervision, programming, tracks and arrangements for several New Zealand consortium touring productions.

His other musical direction credits include Mame; The King and I; Sweet Charity; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; West End to Broadway I, II and III; Les Misérables; 42nd Street; Fiddler on the Roof; Annie; Into The Woods; Jesus Christ Superstar; Urinetown; Beauty and the Beast; The Witches of Eastwick; Cats; Curtains; Buddy; Avenue Q; Hair; Spring Awakening; The Phantom of the Opera; Miss Saigon; Mamma Mia!; Hairspray; Ragtime; Evita; Wicked; We Will Rock You; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Matilda.

In 2019, Richard was appointed as Artistic Director of the popular choir, The Vocal Collective.

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CAST

Ben Freeth MARK COHEN Ben has immersed himself in theatre since graduating from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts.

His previous Court Theatre credits as an actor include Romeo and Juliet; Mary Poppins; Cops and Robbers; Legally Blonde the Musical; The Ugly Duckling; Chicago; Titus Andronicus; Jesus Christ Superstar; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; The Wind in the Willows; Jersey Boys; Little Shop of Horrors and Flagons and Foxtrots.

His other theatre credits include Once on Chunuk Bair (Imagine Charitable Trust); RAP-unzel and Botfarm 2014 (New Zealand Playhouse); Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables (Showbiz Christchurch) and Madagascar The Musical (GMG Productions).

Ben and a number of his talented colleagues founded the Ōtautahibased theatre company, Blackboard Theatre Collective. He is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

James B ell

Monique Cleme ntson

ROGER DAVIS

MIMI MARQUEZ

James Bell is a graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts - WAAPA (Musical Theatre).

RENT is his Court Theatre debut.

Monique graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in 2016 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. She is currently an afternoon kids’ show host on TVNZ’s THE FEED.

He has performed in dozens of mainstage productions in Australia since his mainstage debut as the lead in The Joy of Text for Melbourne Theatre Company in 2011. Other credits include War Horse (Global Creatures); Next to Normal (Black Swan Theatre); Children of the Sun and Black is the New White (Sydney Theatre Company); The Aliens (Old Fitz); John (Outhouse Theatre / Seymour Centre) and Fame the Musical (Crown).

James’ feature film credits include Acute Misfortune. James won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in The Aliens and is an accomplished singersongwriter and musician with his band, Gaspar Sanz.

Her performance credits at The Court Theatre include Legally Blonde the Musical; Jesus Christ Superstar; Little Shop of Horrors; The Wind in the Willows; Time Machine; Cinderella in Space; Puff the Magic Dragon; A Paintbox of Clowns and Crash Bash.

Monique’s other credits include Saturday Night Fever (Ben McDonald Productions); Catch Me If You Can the Musical (Blackboard Theatre Collective); performing the role of Deloris Van Cartier in three productions of Sister Act around New Zealand (Invercargill Musical Theatre, Showbiz Christchurch, Hamilton Operatic); Éponine in Les Misérables (Showbiz Christchurch) and The Cat in the Hat Australian tour (Showcase Entertainment Group).

Jane Leonard MAUREEN JOHNSON Jane (Ngāpuhi) is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts.

Her previous Court Theatre credits include Amadeus; Mary Poppins; Vivienne in Legally Blonde the Musical; alternate Velma in Chicago; Jesus Christ Superstar; Lorraine in Jersey Boys and Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors.

Her other theatre credits include Kate Sheppard in That Bloody Woman (Bold Theatre); Scaramouche in We Will Rock You; Elphaba in Wicked; Diva in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Mistress in Evita and Meg Giry in Phantom of The Opera (Showbiz Christchurch).

She has performed in national tours of South Pacific, H.M.S Pinafore and Madagascar The Musical.

Commercially, Jane has worked as a singer for events such as the Westpac Business Awards and Super Rugby.

Alongside her own creative work, she tutors at Wintec Media Arts Bachelor of Performing Arts in Hamilton where she has the privilege of working with the new generation of musical theatre practitioners of Aotearoa.

Jane is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Cameron Clayton

Bailey Dunnage

TOM COLLINS

ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD

Cameron studied at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA; Bachelor of Performing Arts).

His previous credits include Cats (Showbiz & AMICII Productions); RENT (AMICII Productions); The Witches of Eastwick (Riccarton Players); Shrek the Musical (Showcase Entertainment) and Flagons and Foxtrots (The Court Theatre).

Cameron’s television credits include Sextortion (2020) and David Lomas Investigates (2021).

Cameron has also performed in country music throughout New Zealand, Australia and USA and was awarded Gore Gold Guitar Award Overall Winner (2004), New Zealand Entertainer of the Year (2005) and Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year (2001).

Bailey Dunnage is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Bachelor of Arts Music Theatre).

Originally from Timaru, now based in Melbourne, Bailey created his drag persona Aubrey Haive in the COVID-19 lockdowns and was later cast on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 2. Bailey is thrilled to be bringing Aubrey Haive back home to make their debut with The Court Theatre in RENT. Other theatre credits in Melbourne include playing Michael in Tick, Tick… Boom! (Lonely Arcade), Neville in Dreamsong (EbbFlow) and Matt in Fugitive Songs (Sonder).

Growing up busking on the streets of Timaru, Bailey recorded an album called Acoustic Covers in 2017 (available on all streaming platforms) and is excited to push his drag career further by releasing original music and cabarets featuring Aubrey Haive.

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Anna Francesca Arme nia JOANNE JEFFERSON Anna Francesca is a graduate of the Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts (Bachelor of Arts, Music Theatre).

RENT is her first Court Theatre production. Her other theatre credits include In the Heights (StageArt, Australian Premiere); Razzle Dazzle (Jason Coleman, Ministry of Entertainment); A Little Night Music (Watch This); Paw Patrol Live (Life Like Touring, Nickelodeon); Charlie and the War Against the Grannies (Honeymoon Fresh, Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne) and Universal Studios Japan.

Anna Francesca’s film credits include Perfection is Terrible (Roman a Clef Productions).

Anna Francesca is proudly represented by Ian White Management.

Elijah Williams

Brady Peeti

BENJAMIN COFFIN III (BENNY)

ENSEMBLE / FEATURED VOCALIST

Elijah Williams is an actor and singer who has enjoyed working across many projects in theatre, film and television. In 2019, Elijah was nominated as Best Male Actor in a Leading Role in an Independent Production (2018 Sydney Theatre Awards).

No Ngāti Maniapoto me Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Wahine Māori. Brady is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA; Bachelor of Performing Arts).

Cast

Theatre and stage credits include Girl From the North Country (GWB Entertainment); Triple X (Sydney Theatre Company); Caroline or Change (Hayes Theatre Company); Cocaine (Green Door Theatre Company); The Rolling Stone (Outhouse Theatre Co.); Black Jesus (bAKEHOUSE); A Land Beyond The River (Storylines 2012 at NIDA and TRS Bondi) – a production based in part upon his life and experiences – and Sport for Jove’s productions of The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth.

Elijah’s screen credits include Between Two Worlds (Seven Studios); The Unlisted (Netflix); Wolf Creek (Stan); Home and Away (Seven Network); Kiki and Kitty (ABC); The Principal (SBS) and the web series Bondi Slayer where he plays lead character Dan.

Her theatre credits include Fever: Return of the Ula (Fine Fatale); Black Ties (Te Rēhia Theatre Company and Ilbijerri Theatre Company); Astroman (Auckland Theatre Company); The Wizard of Ōtāhuhu (Mangere Arts Centre); Larger Than Life (Te Rēhia Theatre Company); Little Shop of Horrors (The Court Theatre) and Jekyll and Hyde (Hayes Theatre Company).

Brady can be seen on Seasons 4 and 5 of the television series Ahikāroa (Kura Productions). Her film credits include He Takatāpui Ahau; GURL; and Nancy From Now On. Brady is a proud transgender wahine Māori who works as an actor in Tāmaki Makaurau. She has also begun working as an agent with TMH Management, specifically to support establishing careers for transgender artists. In 2019, she won the Outstanding Newcomer Award at the Auckland Theatre Awards and dedicates it to the support and mentorship she receives as a whānau member of Te Pou Theatre.

James Foster ENSEMBLE / MARK UNDERSTUDY James graduated in 2013 from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre).

After several years performing around New Zealand, James returned to Christchurch where he now freelances in theatre and as a relief teacher in high schools.

James is the leader of Christchurch company Moonlight Theatre and directed their first two productions, The Moonlight Cabaret and Fugitive Songs.

James has also recently directed Annie for North Canterbury Musicals and Echo for the Entertainment Company. He has recently performed his two-man show Bromance with his long-time collaborator Paul Fidow and looks forward to doing so again.

James is excited to perform in RENT and to have the opportunity to understudy the role of Mark.

His performance credits include West End to Broadway; The Phantom of the Opera; Miss Saigon and Dusty (Musical Theatre Dunedin); Flagons and Foxtrots (Fortune Theatre); Wicked; Les Misérables; The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber; Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady (unstaged; Showbiz Christchurch); The Secret Garden (Enchanting Productions); and Jesus Christ Superstar (The Court Theatre).

Cameron Douglas ENSEMBLE / ROGER UNDERSTUDY Cameron is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).

His professional theatre debut was at The Court Theatre in My Fair Lady and since then he has performed in numerous productions. Most recently Cameron appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar; A Streetcar Named Desire; Jersey Boys; Once; The Girl on the Train and Flagons and Foxtrots.

His other theatre highlights include Red; Avenue Q (Fortune Theatre); Poor Boy; Oliver! and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Auckland Theatre Company); Assassins (Silo Theatre Company) and being an original cast member of That Bloody Woman.

Cameron’s professional experience also spans television and music.

He is the lead singer and acoustic guitarist of New Zealand’s premiere skiffle rock and roll band, The Goldonies. His television credits include Outrageous Fortune; Legend of the Seeker and One Night Only.

Lance Ainofo ENSEMBLE / TOM COLLINS UNDERSTUDY Lance Ainofo is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Bachelor of Performing Arts, 2019).

This is his debut show with The Court Theatre. His other theatre credits include That Bloody Woman (Auckland Music Theatre Company); Love and Information (Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School) and Hairspray (Amici, Sky City Theatre).

Lance’s film credits include Ocean (Dir. Chantelle Burgoyne - Manusina Productions) and We Are Still Here (New Zealand International Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival).

At the 2022 Northern Area Performance Theatre Awards (NAPTA), Lance received Best Supporting Male in a Musical for his role as Walter Sheppard in That Bloody Woman.

Jared Pallese n

Nomi Cohe n

Kathlee n Burns

ENSEMBLE / ANGEL UNDERSTUDY

ENSEMBLE / MIMI UNDERSTUDY

ENSEMBLE / JOANNE UNDERSTUDY

Jared’s theatre credits include the New Zealand Arena Tour of Starlight Express (The Really Useful Group / The Stetson Group); Boq in Wicked (Willoughby Theatre Company); Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Willoughby Theatre Company); Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre & Company) and Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd (WITCH Music Theatre).

Since graduating from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2012 and The Actors’ Program in 2013, Nomi has worked on numerous projects both on and off the stage.

Kathleen began her career as a Court Jester in 2003 and still performs in Scared Scriptless.

She is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).

Film and television credits include Freaky, Time Trackers and Second Hand Wedding.

Jared is based in Wellington but was living in Sydney prior to the pandemic, where they acted as marketing manager / in-house photographer and graphic designer for Theatre & Company, working on shows such as Falsettos, The Full Monty and the New South Wales premiere of IF/THEN. Jared is a member of Equity New Zealand.

This is their Court Theatre debut.

Her previous Court Theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing; Legally Blonde the Musical; Chicago; Jesus Christ Superstar and Jersey Boys. Her other theatre credits include Catch Me If You Can the Musical (Blackboard Theatre Collective), Lysistrata (Auckland Theatre Company) and Chess The Musical (G&T Productions).

Her film and television credits include Jono and Ben, Shortland Street and No Exit.

Nomi has worked extensively in the cabaret scene and is also the creator and host of the live performance pub quiz What The Quiz Is This?

Nomi is a proud co-founder and co-director of Blackboard Theatre Collective and an active member of Equity New Zealand.

Her previous Court Theatre credits include Ladies Night; Educating Rita; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Steel Magnolias and The Pink Hammer.

Her other theatre credits from around the country include A Servant to Two Masters; Under Milkwood; Cinderella and The Little Mermaid (Circa Theatre); Avenue Q; Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Flagons and Foxtrots (Fortune Theatre); Perfuct Storm; Dungeons and Comedians and Feminist Yarns with Kathleen Burns (Little Andromeda).

Kathleen’s screen credits include Sextortion (TVNZ), Working Class, Ghost Shark 2, and the soon-to-bereleased The Push.

Kathleen made her mainstage directorial debut with Flagons and Foxtrots at The Court Theatre in 2022.

Darle ne Mohekey

Nic Kyle

ENSEMBLE / MAUREEN UNDERSTUDY

ENSEMBLE / BENJAMIN COFFIN III (BENNY) UNDERSTUDY

Darlene is a professional singer, director, musical director and award-winning writer, actress and show-off working extensively in theatre throughout New Zealand.

Nic studied at the National Academy of Dramatic and Singing Art (NASDA) and has acted professionally for 15 years.

Darlene last appeared at The Court Theatre as Velma Kelly in the 2017 / 18 production of Chicago.

Previous theatre credits include Shipwrecked! An Entertainment (Circa); WINGS (The Basement); Club Cabaret (Centrepoint) and Treasure Island (Rollicking Entertainment).

London theatre credits include Savage; The Grand Tour; Closer to Heaven; Party; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Spamalot; Coffin; Miller’s Crossing; Star Wars; Dr. Strangelove; 28 Days Later and Back to the Future.

Cast

For 10 years Darlene was Creative and Musical Director for Blue Baths, creating and leading hundreds of events.

Well-known for her many tricks and cabaret-style talents, she performs an array of singing styles, musical instruments and whacky characters.

Darlene now lives half her year in Italy with her husband, growing vegetables and training rescue dogs to find their forever homes. “The dream is to share the work year and child-rearing and to chase the sun across the world together!”

Court Theatre credits include The Producers; La Cage Aux Folles; Anything Goes; Cabaret; The History Boys; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Grease; Jesus Christ Superstar and Ladies Night.

Other credits include Shrek the Musical; Blood Brothers; Sweeney Todd; The Wizard of Oz; Assassins; In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play); Mum’s Kitchen; Miss Saigon; The Music of the Night Canadian Concert Tour; several Christchurch Symphony concerts and six solo shows. Nic was Guest Artist on The Elaine Paige Tour and was nominated for Best Actor in a New Play, London (BroadwayWorldUK) for his performance in Savage.

BAND Band

Michael Ferrar

Bradley Grainger

GUITAR

BASS

Mike is a graduate of the Ara Institute of Canterbury (Bachelor of Musical Arts).

Bradley Grainger is a graduate of Ara Music Arts (Bachelor of Music).

His previous Court Theatre credits include Grease; Blood Brothers; Jesus Christ Superstar; Jersey Boys and Little Shop of Horrors. His other theatre credits include Mamma Mia!; Hairspray; Evita; Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and We Will Rock You (Showbiz Christchurch).

Bradley’s theatre credits include The Drowsy Chaperone; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Holiday Inn (NASDA); He Says She Says, Or So They Say (Blackboard Theatre) and Little Shop of Horrors (The Court Theatre), amongst others.

Mike has toured nationally and internationally with artists including Elaine Paige and Aled Jones and is an active musician in the Christchurch scene, performing with his original guitar trio Toro!, alongside many other projects.

Bradley is an in-demand electric and double bassist living in Christchurch. He has worked with numerous notable international artists such as Andy Sugg, Steve Barry, Stefan Nagler as well local bands such as Mundi, Yurt Party and Symposium.

He is the jazz guitar tutor for the jazz programme at Ara Institute of Canterbury and also writes and produces music from his sailboat moored in Lyttelton Harbour.

He has performed in festivals throughout New Zealand including Christchurch, Wellington, Martinborough, Waiheke and Nelson jazz festivals, as well as Christchurch’s World Buskers Festival. His career has also seen him perform on Princess and Holland America Cruise Lines as part of the show band.

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Mitchell Thomas

Tyler Robbins

DRUMS

GUITAR 2, KEYS 2

Mitchell is a graduate of Ara Music Arts (Bachelor of Music Arts, Jazz Performance - Drum Set).

Tyler is a graduate of Ara Institute of Canterbury (Bachelor of Music).

His previous Court Theatre credits include End of the Rainbow; Blood Brothers; Jersey Boys; Little Shop of Horrors and Flagons and Foxtrots. His other theatre credits include Wicked and We Will Rock You (Showbiz Christchurch); Holiday Inn and On The Town (NASDA) and Catch Me If You Can (Blackboard Theatre), amongst others.

His previous Court Theatre credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch. His other theatre credits include The Bee Gees, Night Fever; Dancing Queen: A Tribute to ABBA and Tina, Simply the Best (Showtime Australia), and A Night with the Stars (The Entertainment Company).

Mitchell is a freelance drummer, percussionist and teacher based in Christchurch. He is a confident and versatile performer with an abundance of experience playing in different styles of music including Jazz / Blues, Pop / Rock and Musical Theatre.

He is an in-demand musician who is currently a member of many local ensembles. He has gained a wealth of experience performing different styles of music in festivals, iconic venues and events, as well as performing around New Zealand.

Tyler’s musical credits include working with several local acts such as Pretty Stooked, The Hootz and The Settlers and writing and producing with Horizone and Le Ruze. He is looking forward to performing at Electric Avenue Music festival and Nostalgia Music Festival.

His television credits include performing on What Now! Tyler is also a full-time music tutor working at six schools in the Canterbury area, including teaching with Monster Music.

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Shane Anthony

Mark McEntyre

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

SET DESIGNER

Shane is an award-winning director and movement director.

Select directing credits include Ulster American by David Ireland (Riverside Theatre and Seymour Centre); Our Blood Runs in the Street (Metro Arts); Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch (The Old Fitz); The Whale (Redline Productions); Lighten Up (Griffin Theatre); Songs for the Fallen (New York Musical Theatre Festival - winner of Best Musical - and Sydney Festival); Altar Boyz; Calendar Girls and Avenue Q (Fortune Theatre); My Name is Rachel Corrie (Downstairs Belvoir and La Boite Theatre); Mrs Bang (32nd Song Festival; Poland) and Motortown by Simon Stephens (23rd Productions).

Mark has been a set designer for numerous Court Theatre productions including The Slapdash Assassin; August: Osage County; Hui; Postal; When the Rain Stops Falling; Constellations; Waiora; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; The Biggest; Mum’s Choir; Elling; Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Flagons and Foxtrots.

Movement direction includes Is This How You Feel? (Critical Stages); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (The Court Theatre); Angels in America (The New Theatre); the feature film Sleeping Beauty and CIRCA’s European tour.

Shane is a graduate of the Directing Program at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. In 2007 he travelled to New York to continue training with Anne Bogart and the Saratoga International Theatre Institute.

Mark has also designed sets for the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts; Christchurch Arts Festival; Showbiz Christchurch; New Zealand Actors Company; Southern Opera; New Zealand NBR Opera Company; Tawata Productions; Taki Rua Productions; Auckland Theatre Company and Fortune Theatre.

Mark’s latest work includes La Traviata (Wellington Opera); Ngā Rorirori (Tawata Productions) and Dawn Raids (Pacific Underground and Auckland Theatre Company).

Tina HutchisonThomas COSTUME DESIGNER Tina has been privileged to work in theatre, film, television, ballet and opera across Australia, China, South Africa and New Zealand.

Her costume design credits for The Court Theatre include Kings of the Gym; Snap!; When the Rain Stops Falling; Ache; Plum; Stag Weekend; Shepherd; Romeo and Juliet; Exit the King; Badjelly the Witch; Macbeth; The Streaker; The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time; Titus Andronicus; Ideation and Mum’s Choir.

Tina is a multi-award winner in the international competition, World of Wearable Art, including the New Zealand Design Award in 2018.

She continues to work for Showbiz; GMG Productions; Toi Toi Opera and The New Zealand Musical Consortium. Other costume-making credits include her work for Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia and various feature films, such as Star Wars Episode III; Eucalyptus and costume designer for The Stolen.

She has travelled with International productions of The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera, and styled for TVNZ; Foxtel; Network Ten (Australia) and various TV commercials. Tina continues to design for The Court Theatre and other production companies in Canterbury.

Caelan Thomas ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR Caelan is a Christchurch-based accompanist, musical director, and arranger, and became an Associate of Trinity College, London (ATCL) in 2015.

His previous Court Theatre credits include Jersey Boys; Little Shop of Horrors and Flagons and Foxtrots.

His other theatre credits include The Wedding Singer (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art); Chicago; Legally Blonde Jr (CentreStage Rolleston); Bad Girls (Riccarton Players) and The Witches of Eastwick (Kirwee Players).

Caelan is currently working with The Vocal Collective as their accompanist, as one of two musical directors working with the Selwyn Community Choir, and regularly as an accompanist for students at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).

Je nnifer WardLealand

Grant Robertson

INTIMACY DIRECTION

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Jennifer is a graduate of Theatre Corporate.

She has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, music and radio as an actor, director and teacher for over 40 years, and is an accredited Intimacy Co-ordinator (Intimacy on Set, UK) for stage and screen.

Jennifer’s television credits as Intimacy Co-ordinator include One of Us is Lying; Head High; Ahikāroa; The Panthers and Creamerie. In film they include Choose Love; Princess of Chaos and The Convert, and in theatre, Grand Horizons (ATC); The Writer (Silo) and Macbeth (NZ Opera).

Jennifer is President of Equity New Zealand; a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre and a co-founder of The Actors’ Program.

In 2007 she received an ONZM and in 2019, a CNZM for services to theatre, film and television. In 2020 she was honoured as the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Grant began his career in theatre at The Court in 1988, spending four years as a lighting / sound designer and some time as a stage manager.

His previous Court Theatre credits include Arcadia; Larnach; Treasure Island; The Producers; Grease; The Mikado; Mary Poppins; Legally Blonde the Musical; Chicago and Jesus Christ Superstar. His other theatre credits include Madama Butterfly (Canterbury Opera); Les Misérables; Miss Saigon; We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia! (Showbiz Christchurch); Phantom of the Opera; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Wicked (Showbiz Christchurch and Musical Theatre Dunedin).

For the last 20 years Grant has been owner of The Light Site, designing and supplying lighting for theatre, outdoor events, themed dinners, product launches and corporate events. He also tutors for schools and theatre groups, and his work includes feature architectural lighting.

Gle n Ruske

Andrew Todd

Julian Southgate

SOUND DESIGNER

AUDIOVISUAL DESIGNER

PROPS DESIGNER / CO-ORDINATOR

Glen has been designing and operating sound for orchestras, theatre shows and corporate events since the early 1990s.

He is sought after worldwide, and his talents have seen him tour with numerous professional and amateur theatre companies, orchestras and international artists throughout New Zealand.

Andrew joined the Court Jesters in 2006, beginning a theatre career that has encompassed writing, directing, acting, sound and AV design, and composing. Highlights include animation on Hedwig and the Angry Inch, immersive projections in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapting H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine into a children’s show, and playing the role he was born to play, a depressed horse, in The Wind in the Willows.

Julian has designed numerous Court Theatre sets including Babylon Heights; Year of the Rat; Skin Tight; Baghdad, Baby!; Blackbird; Kiss of the Spiderwoman; The Tutor; Heartbreak House; Angels; The Perfumed Garden; Side by Side by Sondheim; Much Ado About Nothing; Pacific Post; The Women; Amadeus; End of the Rainbow; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Plum; Le Sud; Romeo and Juliet; Exit the King; In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play); Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Wind in the Willows.

Glen has designed and operated sound for productions as diverse as The Rocky Horror Show in Singapore and Maui; The Merry Wives of Windsor; Les Misérables; Sweeney Todd; Miss Saigon; Phantom of the Opera; My Fair Lady; Macbeth; Jesus Christ Superstar; Mary Poppins and Little Shop of Horrors.

In 2007 he purchased Redd Acoustics and formed BounceNZ, which specialises in sound reinforcement for theatre, orchestra, outdoor festivals and corporate work. BounceNZ are regular suppliers, designers, consultants and Sound Engineers in the New Zealand Theatre scene. They are the preferred suppliers for Musical Theatre New Zealand, Auckland Theatre Company, Auckland Music Theatre, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, The Court Theatre, New Plymouth Operatic and Showbiz Christchurch, amongst others.

Outside theatre, Andrew scrapes together a living as a freelance writer, editor and consultant for screen, including working as a script assessor for the New Zealand Film Commission. His 48HOURS shorts have won numerous awards and played in international festivals, and as of late 2022 he is developing two feature film projects. He also records synthrock music and maintains StoryIssues.com, writing about storytelling across all narrative media.

His other stage set designs include Cats and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Showbiz Christchurch) and the national tour of Pinocchio (Royal New Zealand Ballet).

Julian has also made props and sculpture for numerous festivals, operas, and outdoor and street theatre.

Article

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Scott Leighton

Mandy Perry

Haydon Dickie

STAGE MANAGER (until 31 December)

STAGE MANAGER (from 4 January)

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Scott is a graduate of Hagley Theatre Company and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Bachelor of Performing Arts Management). His previous Court Theatre credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch; The Wind in the Willows; Jersey Boys and The Girl on the Train (Assistant Stage Manager); The Pink Hammer; Crash Bash: What’s the Rush?; Things I Know to be True; Whā; Little Shop of Horrors; Potted Potter and Katzenmusik (Stage Manager).

Mandy has been part of The Court whānau for over 30 years and has been involved with more than 120 productions as either Stage Manager or Production Manager, her most recent being Disney’s Moana JR. Mandy has also worked with many other companies and shows around Ōtautahi, including recently production managing Matilda The Musical for Showbiz Christchurch and she is the manager of Christchurch City Choir.

Haydon has worked on and off camera for both stage and screen.

He starred in the short film Mr Savant (Winning Film, Somedays Stories Film Challenge 2019), and starred in and worked behind the scenes on the short film Truth.exe (Official Selection: Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival; Sci Fi Film Festival (Sydney); Monthly Finalist - Changing Face International Film Festival; and Winner - Best Student Film, Miami International SciFi Film Festival).

He is also a producer and actor in the yet-to-be-released feature film based on Truth.exe, entitled The Bostrom Scenario.

Mandy helps co-ordinate the Theatrefest one act play competition, and you might see her in The Court foyer working as part of the wonderful front-of-house team.

Haydon was a member of The Court Youth Company 2019 / 2020 and stage managed the Company’s 2021’s productions of Boys and The Unauthorised Biography Of… Haydon has also worked with New Zealand Opera.

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As a long standing partner of The Court Theatre, we’re proud to support Rent. pwc.co.nz © 2022 PwC New Zealand. All rights reserved.

HIV and AIDS then and now Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly the NZ AIDS Foundation and Ending HIV NZ) has been at the forefront of the community response to HIV in Aotearoa for nearly 40 years.

RENT is set during the HIV and AIDS crisis in 1980s / 90s New York City. Peter Ford and Juliet Crew, who work in Services and Outreach for Burnett Foundation in Ōtautahi Christchurch, spoke to the RENT cast and crew about HIV and AIDS in New Zealand and what has changed since the 1990s.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks a person’s immune system by getting into the blood stream and working to kill off healthy immune cells.

There is currently no cure for HIV; once a person is diagnosed, the virus stays in their system for life.

Medications available now enable people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives.

Treatment options available mean the majority of people living with HIV will never develop AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). However, in the 80s and 90s so much about effective treatment for HIV was still unknown. Diagnosis often came too late, resulting in the loss of many lives.

This pandemic claimed over 100,000 lives in New York alone during its peak and had a cruel impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

Treatment options available in the 1990s, such as AZT (azidothymidine – referenced in RENT) were often experimental and, while people may have experienced a brief period of wellness, they often deteriorated quickly before dying.

Whilst HIV can still be acquired by everyone, gay and bisexual men are disproportionally impacted by HIV for three reasons. HIV transmission is around 18 times more likely through anal sex without a condom, than through vaginal sex; there are already a lot of gay and bi guys living with HIV; and gay and bisexual men are more closely connected than other communities.

Homosexuality was illegal in New York until 1980 (some US states did not institute homosexual law reform until as late as 2003) and in New Zealand until 1986. This meant the virus spread quickly within the close communities of queer men in large cities such as New York, San Francisco and London.

The HIV crisis created a massive stigma around the queer community, forcing many ‘back into the closet’, hiding their diagnoses from close family and isolating themselves. People died without telling their family they were living with AIDS.

Stigma around HIV and AIDS still exists in Aotearoa and around the world today. There are just under 3,000 people receiving treatment for HIV in New Zealand and many more possibly living undiagnosed.

The great news is the number of new locally acquired infections has been steadily decreasing since 2016, with 2021’s being the lowest figure in two decades.

Treatments available today mean the viral load of HIV in a person’s blood becomes undetectable (no longer able to be detected by a viral load test for HIV) and Undetectable=Untransmissible. People living with HIV who are on antiretroviral treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load for at least six months do not sexually transmit HIV. Further developments mean that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication (funded by Pharmac), can be taken by HIV-negative people, preventing the acquisition of HIV. Testing has also evolved since the 1990s. Fingerprick blood tests provide a result within one minute and home testing swab kits are also available, which enabled Burnett Foundation to continue vital testing during the Covid restrictions.

Thank you to Burnett Foundation Aotearoa for the resources and references used in this article. Visit burnettfoundation.org.nz for further information, support, HIV testing and free condoms.

11 FEBRUARY - 11 MARCH 2023

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

By Penny Ashton

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RENT was based upon the 19th century opera La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini and transplanted from late 19th century Paris to late 20th century New York. There are many similarities with the original story - even its characters’ names - but tuberculosis became AIDS and Larson bestowed his characters and their world with elements from those of his friends. Like him, they were struggling to make their mark and live their lives (even as some of them were losing that battle) on their own terms in a city that celebrated creativity but was more comfortable with conformity.

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ed t d ru g develop rs fi e th s a w T AZ part nd it remains to fi ght HIV a t ge of treatmen n ra er id w ch of a mu AZT was fi rst options to day. ential e 1960s as a p ot th in ed op el dev ive. prove d ineffect t u b g ru d r ce ca n 80s, eare d in the 19 When AIDS app ed ecte d a nd show AZT was resu rr s. It misin g result ro p y el em tr ex l by the Federa ed ck a tr st fa was nd io n in the US a at tr is in m d A Dru g onths y - within 20 m co nt roversiall approve d ed tr ials, was it m li h it w d n a for use.

Aft er st r u ggli n g as a wait er t o m a ke e n d s me et whi ls t p u r su i n g his wr iti n g, Jo natha n Lars o n was u nk n o wi n gly o n the verge o w id e sp r e a f d cr itical a n d p u blic a c cla i m . A ft er exper i e n c ing s e v e r e ch e st p a i n s a n d t wo hospit al m isdiagn ose s – o ne of fo o d p o is o ni n g a nd o ne of flu h i s th i rd ep i s o d e , a l o ne i n his flat, pr ove d fat al. La r s o n d ie d m o r n i n g th the at RENT wa s du e t o o p for its fi r en st public p er forma nc e.

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COURT COMPANY OU R VA LU E S

M Ā I ATA N G A C O U R A G E O U S | M A N A A K I TA N G A W E L C O M I N G | W H Ā N A U N G ATA N G A B E L O N G I N G | KO TA H I TA N G A O N E T E A M

Chief Executive | Tumu Whakarae Barbara George ARTISTIC

Artistic Director (Team Lead) Dr Alison Walls Associate Artistic Director Vanessa Karakia-Kore Gray Court Jesters Manager Trubie-Dylan Smith BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Business Development Manager (Team Lead) Paul Dawson Barista Kaylee Morris Bartenders Lily Bourne Rachel Brebner Amber Campbell Anna Cropp Shannon Douglas Renee Eden Maddison Jones Eva Lynch Lea McEwan Bailey Mogg Dirk Ravanes Danielle Reiser Jack Taylor Helen Vessey Box Office and / or Lead Host Helen Brocklehurst Margot Coleman Annah Johnstone Niamh McCormick Mandy Perry Rebecca Radcliffe Rose Spoelstra Elise Stewart Karyn Willetts Customer Experience Administrator Erin Hills Customer Experience Manager Rachel Vavasour Duty Managers Anthea Johnson Sue Fraser Juliet Robertson Isayah Snow Laura Wilson Food and Beverage Manager Petra Laskova Food and Beverage Manager (Deputy) Taylor Ballantyne Front of House Assistant Sienna Rolland-Reiser Tessitura (CRM) Manager Anisha Thomas

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Manager: Compliance and Reporting (Team Lead) Susan Rendall Accountant Claudia Fe Jambalos Administration Assistant Fiona Haines Financial Accountant Tamara Rowse COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Communications and Marketing Manager (Team Lead) Julie McCloy Communications and Marketing Co-ordinators Lauren Douglas Ellen Geerarets Graphic Designer Sarah Griffin FUNDRAISING

Development and Fundraising Manager (Team Lead) Sahra Grinham Client Manager Andrea Winder Sponsorship Manager Layla Moutrib

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Artistic Adviser / Lead Director Ross Gumbley Capital Campaign Manager Carolyne Grant Project Manager Tom Clisby TEACHING ARTISTS Dan Allan Lisa Allan John Bayne Rachel Brebner Olivia Brinkman William Burns Holly Chappell-Eason Jeff Clark Tom Eason Ben Freeth Millie Hanford Maddie Harris Reylene Hilaga Alys Hill Aaron Jelley Cain Liang Hannah McDougall Nathan Munn Caitlin Penhey Anna Richardson Ciarán Searle COURT JESTERS

Dan Allan Brendon Bennetts Emma Brittenden PRODUCTION Kathleen Burns Production Manager (Team Lead) Jeff Clark Tim Bain Emma Cusdin Construction and Kirsty Gillespie Premises Manager Criss Grueber Matt McCutcheon Millie Hanford Costume Manager Maddie Harris Daniella Salazar Riley Harter Robbie Hunt Costume Technician Aaron Jelley Findlay Currie Education and Outreach Production Benjamin Kent Scott Koorey Manager James Kupa Riley Harter Damon Lockwood Head Stage Manager Hannah McDougall Jo Bunce Henri Nelis Head Technician Dan Pengelly Giles Tanner Ciarán Searle Production Administrator Jarred Skelton Amanda Hare Andrew Todd Vanessa Wells Properties Manager Julian Southgate Jester Musicians Set Construction Deen Coulson Seth Edwards-Ellis Frankie Daly Nigel Kerr Kris Finnerty Richard van den Berg Criss Grueber Hamish Oliver Stage Manager Dan Robertson Scott Leighton

Jester Apprentices Rachel Brebner Selwyn Gamble Caitlin Penhey Tilly Walbom

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Chair Tony Feaver Board Andrea Bankier Paul Bryden Erin Jamieson Jenny May Anne Newman Georgina Toomey Steven van der Pol Steve Wakefield Secretary Susan Rendall FOUNDATION BOARD

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Patron Dame Adrienne Stewart DNZM, QSM Chair Annie Bonifant Deputy Chair Allanah James Secretary Charles Duke Treasurer Lynn Vandertie Committee Andrea Bankier Pat Braithwaite Cheryl Colley Tony Feaver Jenny May Jay Pollock Raewyn Raynel David Winfield (Theatre Chaplain) ASSOCIATES

Bryan Aitken Stuart Alderton Paul Barrett Judie Douglass Tony Geddes Derek Hargreaves MNZM Joe Hayes Geoffrey Heath Elric Hooper MBE Avril Lockhead Yvonne Martin Lynda Milligan Eilish Moran Stewart Ross FELLOWS OF THE COURT

John Harrison ONZM John McSweeney Felicity Price ONZM

son, ly Aron l i B r e t i m wr ves of came fro T N E R wined li t r o r f e t t n p i e c e of th m 19th inal co n ated fro i’s story l n s i The orig c n c a u r t ng P ly worki could be ved that l e a s i i d l t n e i e b n i i o r r wh nd f Afte so n’s ar tists a ew York. g N n ) i s l 0 ith Aro n g 8 w g 9 u e (1 n o n str l r a e mod it to inued Paris to ver made so n co nt e r y a a L l , p l century e a usic if th esto n the m the lo ng credited f s o a w e n e o h , together years o ng as y for 12 nt – as l a e w m d e a e o r r g a n on B RENT ra . y a w d a o Br s. oductio n r p g n i n ru n

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RENT shi n e s a sp o t li ght o n outsider the s withi n s o ciety, r the i r m a efere nci n rgi nality g a n d P o l ic t o m o ve t e e ffor ts hem ‘out of si ght’. r e a l w o rl I n the d that fr ic t i o n h a out, viol d playe d e nt ly, i n 1988. T h Park Rio e To mpkin ts t o ok p s la c e n e a r c o mmu nit t h e ies i n wh i ch R E N T aft er ral is set, l ie s a g a i n s t n i ght-tim cu r fews c e ulmi nat e d i n a r iot, wh was wide ly accept i ch e d a s the result of di rect P o l ic e p r ovo catio n .

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R YM A N H E A LT H C A R E P R E S E N T S

THE COURT THEATRE

Taking centre-stage in the Ryman Healthcare 2023 Season at The Court Theatre: 11 FEB

25 MARCH

25 MARCH

Sense and Sensibility

Rewena

Be Like Billy

11 APRIL

6 MAY

17 JUNE

Cinderella

Appropriate

Next to Normal

3 JULY

5 AUG

9 AUG

Disney’s Frozen JR.

The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race

The Sweet Science of Bruising

23 SEPT

27 SEPT

25 OCT

Dance Nation

Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere

The Haka Party Incident

25 NOV

6 DEC

Something Rotten!

Jesters' Holiday Show

A compelling collection of New Zealand premieres and acclaimed plays by international and Aotearoa New Zealand playwrights. Subscriptions now open.

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