Ryman Healthcare Return Season of Something Rotten! Programme by courttheatrenz

WHAT IS THE MEASURE OF A FULL LIFE?

At Ryman, we believe the measure of a full life is one that gets richer with age.

Rediscover lost passions and plunge headfirst into new ones. Surround yourself with new people, old friends and close family. Live with opportunities and experiences at your doorstep.

That’s why we’re creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, and investing in organisations that bring joy and meaning to our residents and team members.

Ryman are proud sponsors of The Court Theatre.

KERRY Ryman Resident

Tēna koutou,

Welcome back to SomethingRotten! Welcome to the Renaissance! Welcome to the theatre!

Renaissance means rebirth—it connotes renewal, flourishing creativity and vibrancy—all very fitting for a musical so full of life that it had to return. We were thrilled to bring the Australasian premiere of this funny, exuberant musical to The Court Theatre stage. Part of the genius of SomethingRotten! is that it is an original musical, fully conceived, written, and composed, that recreates the sound, wit, and extravagance that characterises the best of the Golden Age musicals—for today. It celebrates and steals from over 74 musicals and, of course, some of Shakespeare’s greatest hits.

The audience responded with delight to Something Rotten! and to the skilled and talented cast and creative team. When we saw that audiences were still hungry for this brilliant mash-up of Shakespeare and musical theatre, we had to see if we could bring it back. Some of you will be experiencing Something Rotten! for the first time; some of you will be here for the second, third, or fourth time, ready to catch every allusion, silly pun, and textual, choreographic and musical reference you may have missed.

We are grateful to director Benjamin Kilby-Henson, musical director, Richard Marrett, choreographer,

Kira Josephson, and the incredible cast, band, and entire crew, who, when we suggested a return season, responded with enthusiasm, figuring out complicated lives and careers to make it work. It is a total joy to have them back. It is also wonderful to see the inventive set design from Daniel Williams and the “Renaissance-but-make-it-Broadway” costume design (with over 400 pieces) from Tina Hutchison-Thomas back on stage, lit by Darren McKane. These creative minds share the musical’s sense of fun and match its deceptively easy quality with their high calibre artistry.

We are deeply appreciative of the many superb professionals and the whole Court company for all the work they do to make a show like this work. And, to slightly misquote the character Nostradamus, “sometimes it works so well, you do the [same show], AGAIN! A 5-6-7-8!”

Our thanks also to Ryman Healthcare who have sponsored this return season, all our supporters, and to our audiences.

Alison Walls Artistic Director

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

Book

By Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell

Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick

Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia).

Arrangements

Glen Kelly

Produced by Kevin McCollum

Orchestrations

Larry Hochman

Broadway Global Ventures CMC Mastro/Goodman Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Morris Berchard

Kyodo Tokyo, Inc. Wendy Federman Barbara Freitag LAMS Productions Winkler/DeSimone

Timothy Laczynski Dan Markley Harris/Karmazin Jam Theatricals Robert Greenblatt and Jujamcyn Theaters

Developed in association with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director and Bill Berry, Producing Artistic Director

Director

Benjamin Kilby-Henson

Stage Manager

Louise Topping

Sound Designer

Glen Ruske (BounceNZ)

Assistant Stage Manager

Haydon Dickie

Musical Director

Richard Marrett

Set Designer

Dan Williams

Properties Manager

Julian Southgate

Choreographer and Intimacy

Director

Kira Josephson

Costume Designer and Manager

Tina Hutchison-Thomas

Lighting Designer and Operator

Darren McKane (The Light Site)

Assistant Stage Manager and Dresser

Rebekah Head

Assistant Lighting Designer Giles Tanner

Sound Operator

Eve Curzon

Dresser

Rosie Gilmore

Wig Designer

Zoe Buckland

Production Manager

Tim Bain

The Court Theatre Workshop

Matthew Duffy

Edward Roche

Seth Edwards-Ellis

Elise Poussain

Studio Musicians

Hannah Darroch (Flute)

Georgina Rees-Stevenson (Clarinet)

Gwyn Reynolds (Saxophones)

Cameron Pearce (Trumpet)

Scott Taitoko (Trombone)

Isaac Shatford (Violin)

Doug Brush (Percussion)

Wig Stylist

Patrice Hammond

Stage Management Intern

Isla McLarin

Live Musicians

Richard Marrett (Keyboard)

Bradley Grainger (Bass)

Mike Ferrar (Guitar)

Zak Williams (Drums)

Costume Construction

Pauline Laws

Tracey Hollands

Louise Galloway

Pam Jones

Findlay Currie

Carolyn Hutchison

Annie Graham

Zoe Miller

Daniella Salazar

Julian Southgate

Scott Leighton

Lily Thomas

Acknowledgements

Original Season:

Nigel Kerr, Seth Edwards-Ellis, Andrew Scott, Annie Graham, Nick Lowry, David Bosworth (Set Construction); Kristin Clark (Properties Artist); Rochelle Wright, Annie Graham, Rosie Gilmore, Michaela Bayley (Properties Assistants); Caelan Thomas (Rehearsal Pianist and Assistant Musical Director); Geoff Nunn, Brett Lupton, Rosie Gilmore, Sean Hampton, Matt Short (Lighting Crew); Lily Bourne (Assistant Stage Manager); Amanda Hare (Production Assistant).

Other acknowledgements:

Stuart Hendricks of Musical Theatre International; Christchurch NZ; Dan Pengelly; Tobias Grant; Showbiz Christchurch; Sara Brodie; Simon Goudie & Mark McEntyre of NASDA; Jo Fuller and the team at Adgraphix; The Light Site; Grant Robertson; David Bosworth; Mandy Perry; Viva Dance Studios; Koru Customs and Freight Limited; Erica Browne; Nathan Firmin of Patched Keyboards; Orange Studios; Kristina Saul.

Core Funder

Proudly printed by

PLOT SYNOPSIS

WATCH OUT! SPOILERS

ACT 1

Nick and Nigel start work on an epic musical about a massive historical event. “The Black Death”. Lord Clapham is appalled and ends his patronage, and Brother Jeremiah reprimands the sinfulness of theatre and music, warning of his influence with the Master of Justice.

Nick runs into Bea, disguised as a man. Portia and Nigel share their love of poetry and plays. “I Love the Way”. They are amazed to be invited to a private recitation by William Shakespeare. “Will Power”. At the after-party, Shakespeare tries to steal Nigel’s notebook. Nick and Shylock arrive in time to prevent the theft. Brother Jeremiah charges in and hauls off the rather tipsy Portia. Shylock remarks that it’s too bad Nick can’t see Shakespeare’s notebook. Nick returns to Nostradamus to ask what Shakespeare’s greatest play will be. Nostradamus predicts that Shakespeare’s greatest work will be called... Omelette . Nick thinks he’s found the brilliant idea for his musical. “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top!”.

ACT 2

“Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)”. Shakespeare bemoans the difficulty of living up to his own fame. “Hard to Be the Bard.” His spy informs him that Nick has hired the Soothsayer to steal Shakespeare’s greatest idea.

Nick and Nigel’s troupe rehearse their new number with the Soothsayer and Shylock in attendance. “It’s Eggs!”. A young actor, who might bear some resemblance to Shakespeare, asks to join the troupe. Nigel tells Portia that something doesn’t feel right about this new work, and she urges him to write from the heart. “We See the Light”. Brother Jeremiah catches the two of them together and banishes his daughter to Scotland. Bereft, Nigel writes all night.

At the next rehearsal, Nigel reads his new lines, and the disguised Shakespeare knows that he has got to get this play. Nick tries to insist on the omelette theme, but Nigel is determined to stick to his own ideas. “To Thine Own Self”. Nick and Nigel fight. Bea reminds Nigel that for all of his faults, Nick would always be there for him. “Right Hand Man (Reprise)”.

The troupe rehearses the musical. “Something Rotten!”/“Make an Omelette”. The newest recruit to the troupe pulls off his disguise and reveals himself as Shakespeare—and how Nick has taken his ideas from Nostradamus’s predictions.

In court, Nick and his collaborators face accusations from the Master of the Justice and Brother Jeremiah. A mysterious elderly lawyer shows up to defend them. “To Thine Own Self (Reprise)”, and the brothers are reconciled. Bea calls Shakespeare as a witness, who persuades the star-struck judge not to execute them.

Instead, they are banished to the New World and told to take their so-called “musicals” with them. Portia defies her father and runs away with them. In America, they perform their new

ACT 1

WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE

Minstrel and Company

GOD, I HATE SHAKESPEARE!

Nick, Nigel, and The Troupe

RIGHT HAND MAN

Bea and Nick

GOD, I HATE SHAKESPEARE! (REPRISE)

Nick A MUSICAL!

Nostradamus, Nick, and Company

THE BLACK DEATH

The Troupe

I LOVE THE WAY

Portia and Nigel WILL POWER

Shakespeare and Company

BOTTOM’S GONNA BE ON TOP!

Nick and Company

SONG LIST

ACT 2

WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE (REPRISE)

Minstrel and Company

HARD TO BE THE BARD

Shakespeare and Company

IT’S EGGS!

Nick and The Troupe

WE SEE THE LIGHT

Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, and Company

TO THINE OWN SELF

Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare, and The Troupe

RIGHT HAND MAN (REPRISE) Bea

SOMETHING ROTTEN! / MAKE AN OMELETTE

Nick and Company

TO THINE OWN SELF (REPRISE)

Nick

FINALE Company

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Karey Kirkpatrick

Creator

Karey Kirkpatrick began his career as a screen and songwriter for Disney Animation where he penned The Rescuers Down Under and James and the Giant Peach. With more than a dozen feature films produced, screenplay credits include Chicken Run (Golden Globe nominee for Outstanding Comedy); Charlotte’sWeb; TheHitchhiker’sGuidetotheGalaxy;TheSpiderwick Chronicles and OvertheHedge; which he also co-directed. He directed the Paramount Pictures film

Wayne Kirkpatrick Creator

Wayne Kirkpatrick is the Grammy Award-winning songwriter of ‘Change the World’ by Eric Clapton (Song of the Year). Top 10 singles include ‘Every Heartbeat, Good for Me’ (Amy Grant), ‘Wrapped Up in You’ (Garth Brooks), ‘Boondocks’, ‘Bring It On Home’, ‘Little White Church’ (Little Big Town); ‘Place in This World’ (Michael W. Smith). He is a multi-formatted songwriter with songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill, Joe Cocker, Gabe

John O’Farrell Creator

John O'Farrell is one of the UK's best known comic authors and script writers. Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts and The Man Who Forgot His Wife. Non-fiction includes An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, the political memoir Things Can Only Get Better and its recent sequel plus three collections of his satirical columns for The Guardian newspaper. O'Farrell's books have been

ImagineThat starring Eddie Murphy and co-produced, wrote and performed on the film’s soundtrack. He recently directed the Warner Brothers animated musical Smallfoot for which he also co-wrote the screenplay and the songs (with brother Wayne). He has won a number of Tony, Oscar and Grammy awards and that number is zero. Other credits: husband of Nada; father of Sami, Maia and Finn.

Dixon, Trisha Yearwood, Babyface and Peter Frampton, among others. His songs have been featured in TV shows (Grey’sAnatomy,TrueBlood,HartofDixie) as well as feature films (AlmostFamous,Phenomenon, Smallfoot). Wayne lives in Nashville with his wife Fran and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for 2018. Favorite productions are Kourtney, Shelby, and Carson.

translated into thirty languages and adapted for BBC Radio and television. Winner, British Comedy Award. Previously a writer (and later panelist) on BBC's Have I Got News For You and lead writer on ten series of ITV's SpittingImage. Currently writing the sequel to Chicken Run, and adapting one of his novels for Sony International Pictures.

Benjamin

Kilby-Henson Director

Benjamin is one of New Zealand’s busiest theatre directors, forging a diverse career, spanning form, scale and medium including original works, scripted premieres, and opera. Prior to New Zealand, Benjamin worked for one of the UK’s largest youth arts organisations, leading participatory projects for primarily at-risk youth, including taking six productions a year to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for nine consecutive years. Benjamin later trained in theatre direction at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London, while continuing to direct for the London fringe and cabaret circuit. Following projects in Germany and France, Benjamin was director in residence at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford.

In NZ, Ben teaches in Auckland’s drama schools and is Artistic Manager of The Actor’s Programme. Under theatre collective Fractious Tash, Ben has received critical acclaim for Earnest, NotPsycho, and Titus,

which was then remounted for a sell-out season at the Pop-Up Globe (featuring Beyoncé covers by Aotearoa’s only steelpan band…). The company presented the NZ premiere of Lucy Prebble’s The Effect to great acclaim and were set to collaborate with The Fortune Theatre on a new adaptation of Hansel and Gretel before the theatre’s closure.

Ben’s Auckland Theatre Company credits include RedSpeedo by American playwright Lucas Hnath, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, and KingLear. The award-winning production of Last Tapes’ Valerie toured throughout New Zealand, following dates in Australia and Edinburgh, adding to its accolade the coveted Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 2021 saw Ben’s first production for The Court Theatre with LittleShop of Horrors.

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. His musical direction credits for The Court Theatre include MyFairLady,SouthPacific,TheRockyHorrorShow,The SoundofMusic,Jerry’sGirls,Oliver!,GuysandDolls,The Producers,LaCageAuxFolles,ILoveYou,You’rePerfect, NowChange!,AnythingGoes,Cabaret,SideBySideBy Sondheim,Grease,EndoftheRainbow,BloodBrothers, MaryPoppins,LegallyBlondetheMusical,SongsFor Nobodies,Chicago,JesusChristSuperstar,JerseyBoys, LittleShopofHorrors,RENT, and Next to Normal.

Further musical direction credits include Mame,TheKing andI,SweetCharity,JosephandtheAmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat,WestEndtoBroadwayI,II,andIII,Les Misérables,42ndStreet,FiddlerontheRoof,Annie,Into TheWoods,JesusChristSuperstar,Urinetown,Beauty

Kira Jospehson

andtheBeast,TheWitchesofEastwick,Cats,Curtains, Buddy,AvenueQ,Hair,SpringAwakening,ThePhantomof theOpera,MissSaigon,MammaMia!,Hairspray,Ragtime, Evita,Wicked,WeWillRockYou,Priscilla,Queenofthe Desert,Matilda and KinkyBoots.

Richard’s work with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra has included seasons of StarryNights and ClassicalSparks in Hagley Park and the popular concert productions Oh,DannyBoy,BroadwayBroads,Rodgers andHammerstein,BernsteinandSondheim,The MagicalMusicofDisney,MyFairLady and The Music ofAndrewLloydWebber. He was also responsible for the musical supervision, keyboard programming, tracks and arrangements for several New Zealand touring productions and is often found working as producer and arranger on multiple recording projects. Richard has been Artistic Director of the popular choir The Vocal Collective for the past four years.

Choreographer and Intimacy Director

Kira is originally from the USA, where she attended the Orange County High School of the Arts and went on to receive her BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College. Since graduating, she worked and toured regionally around the United States before moving to New Zealand in 2015. She has had the pleasure of performing with Tony nominee Susan Egan (BeautyandtheBeast) and choreographing a cabaret show for Tony Award winner Alice Ripley (Next to Normal).

Past choreographing credits at The Court Theatre include LittleShopofHorrors (in which she was also the Audrey Standby/Swing), and Dance Nation (in which she was also Vanessa/The Moms and the Intimacy Director). She has also choreographed Urinetown,TheWeddingSinger, and TheDrowsyChaperone at NASDA.

She is primarily a tap dancer, having choreographed the tap in JesusChristSuperstar (The Court Theatre), and teaches tap regularly throughout Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Kira also serves as the Intimacy Director for this production. She has trained with Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC), Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE), and Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA), as well as with St John’s, Safe Stages, Gender Minorities Aotearoa and Dare to Lead (Boma).

Her recent intimacy director credits include Nude DudesdoDramaticReadings,DanceNation and TheSweetScienceofBruising (The Court Theatre), Curtains (MUSOC), BrightStar (St. Andrew’s College), Heathers (Luminaires), and BeautyandtheBeast (GMG Productions).

Kira also choreographed the current production of Disney’sTheLittleMermaidJR. at The Court Theatre, and will be choreographing StrictlyBallroomtheMusical later this year.

Kira has received a grant from Creative New Zealand to continue her intimacy training, and is looking forward to continuing this work.

THE CAST

Jonathan Martin Nick Bottom

Jonathan graduated from The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts.

Their Court Theatre credits include: LittleShopofHorrors,In TheNextRoomorthevibratorplay,TheProducers,Baghdad, Baby!,TheHistoryBoys,ArsenicandOldLace,AnythingGoes, ILoveYou,You’rePerfect,NowChange,FourFlatWhitesinItaly, OneMan,TwoGuvnors,LaCageAuxFolles,Shepherd,Romeo andJuliet,TheSeagull, and Cabaret.

Other theatre credits include: NorthByNorthwest,Grand Horizons (Auckland Theatre Company), AvenueQ,Winston’s Birthday,TwelfthNight,IntoTheWoods (Fortune Theatre), ALittleNightMusic (Canterbury Opera), TheRockyHorror Show (Hamilton Operatic), the NZ tour of JerseyBoys (GNT Productions), and the Australian and NZ tour of Madagascarthe Musical (GMG Productions).

Jonathan worked on the Pop Up Globe stage in both Auckland and Australia in various productions including HenryV,AsYou LikeIt,AMidsummerNight’sDream,TheMerchantofVenice, and TwelfthNight. On-screen, he has featured in the Netflix film FallingInnLove

Jonathan also lives with multiple sclerosis and is an advocate for disability representation in the performing arts.

Jonathan is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Cameron Douglas Nigel Bottom

Cameron is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA). His professional theatre debut was at The Court Theatre in MyFairLady, and since then he has performed in numerous productions. Most recently Cameron appeared in JesusChristSuperstar,AStreetcarNamedDesire, JerseyBoys,Once,TheGirlontheTrain,FlagonsandFoxtrots, and RENT.

Matu Ngaropo Shakespeare

Matu recently returned to Aotearoa from touring Australia as first US President George Washington in the original Australian company of Hamilton.

Theatre credits include TheLionKing (Australian Tour), The Māori Troilus & Cressida (Shakespeare’s Globe), Othello (Centrepoint), NgāBroeWhā (MMQ), Romeo and Juliet (Downstage), Two Worlds (Edinburgh, London, NYC), A MidsummerNight’sDream (Circa Theatre), Te Awarua (Te Rēhia), Hamlet,Macbeth,MeasureforMeasure,TheComedyof Errors (Pop Up Globe), and Mum’s Choir (Fortune Theatre).

Last year, Matu was fortunate to revisit the role of Scar from TheLionKing in the Reo Māori recording of the original Disney animation. In 2021, he had the privilege of playing rangatira Tā Apirana Ngata in the feature film WHINA.

Matu has been a proud member of Equity New Zealand since 2004.

Monique Clementson Bea

Monique is an experienced television and theatre performer in NZ. She recently hosted an afternoon show called The Feed on TVNZ2, and has just finished a season at The Court Theatre playing Countess Andrenyi in AgathaChristie’sMurderontheOrientExpress. She has starred in multiple musicals across the country including RENT,JesusChristSuperstar,LesMisérables,LittleShopof Horrors, and Sister Act.

His other theatre highlights include Red,AvenueQ (Fortune Theatre), PoorBoy,Oliver!,The25thAnnualPutnamCounty SpellingBee (Auckland Theatre Company), Assassins (Silo Theatre Company), and being an original cast member of That BloodyWoman.

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 OutrageousFortune,Legendofthe Seeker, and OneNightOnly.

Her other performance credits at The Court Theatre include JerseyBoys,LegallyBlondetheMusical,TheWindinthe Willows,TheArsonists,TimeMachine,CinderellainSpace,Puff theMagicDragon,APaintboxofClowns, and Crash Bash

Bianca Paine Portia

Bianca is a graduate of The Actors’ Program New Zealand (Diploma of Stage and Screen Acting).

She is returning to The Court Theatre to play the adored role of Portia in SomethingRotten!. Earlier last year she played the role of Elinor in The Court Theatre’s Sense andSensibility. Some of her previous theatre credits include Chicago (The Court Theatre), The Children’s A Midsummer Night’sDream (Pop Up Globe), and Michael Jackson ONE (Cirque du Soleil).

She has had an exceptional dance career, both in New Zealand and the USA. Dancing under Emmy Award winning choreographer Parris Goebel for four years, she became a World Champion, winning one Bronze and two Gold medals at the World Hip Hop Championships (Las Vegas). She also performed in Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE for three years in Las Vegas. After our first season of SomethingRotten!, Bianca relocated to Las Vegas once again to pursue her acting career further.

Paul Barrett Nostradamus

This Ryman Healthcare Return Season of SomethingRotten! marks the 44th anniversary of Paul’s career, having made his debut at Circa Theatre, Wellington, in June 1980. He obtained a Bachelor of Music with Honours degree at Victoria University in 1979, while also receiving invaluable experience in radio drama for Radio New Zealand. He has since appeared in over a hundred plays as an actor, including numerous roles in musical theatre, and thirty as a Musical Director/keyboard player throughout New Zealand and in Australia and the UK.

Ben Freeth Shylock/Lord Clapham/ Understudy Nick Bottom

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 andJuliet,MaryPoppins,CopsandRobbers,LegallyBlonde theMusical,TheUglyDuckling,Chicago,TitusAndronicus, JesusChristSuperstar,LesLiaisonsDangereuses,TheWind intheWillows,JerseyBoys,LittleShopofHorrors,Flagons andFoxtrots,RENT,SomethingRotten!, and AgathaChristie’s MurderontheOrientExpress. His other theatre credits include Once on Chunuk Bair (Imagine Charitable Trust), RAP-unzel, Botfarm 2014 (New Zealand Playhouse), MammaMia,Les Misérables (Showbiz Christchurch), and Madagascarthe Musical (GMG Productions).

After 11 years as a member of the permanent Court Theatre company, Paul was made an Associate in 1996. From 1993-96 he was also a foundation tutor at The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA). Paul has recorded over a thousand voice-overs for television and radio commercials, television documentaries, and corporate videos. Based in Auckland since 1999, Paul records audiobooks for the Blind Foundation, and has appeared in many television series and several films. Since 2022 he has played the role of Stanley Thompson on Shortland Street, taking a break from the part in order to rehearse and perform in the first season of SomethingRotten! at The Court Theatre from last October till the end of January this year.

Paul has recently completed a national tour of the stage adaptation of TheBestExoticMarigoldHotel, co-starring with Coronation Street’s Rula Lenska.

Cameron Clayton Brother Jeremiah/ Ensemble

Cameron studied at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (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), FlagonsandFoxtrots,RENT,andCinderella (The Court Theatre).

Cameron’s television credits include Sextortion (2020) and DavidLomasInvestigates (2021). Cameron has also performed in country music throughout NZ, Australia, and USA, and was awarded Gore Gold Guitar Award Overall Winner (2004), NZ Entertainer of the Year (2005), and Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year (2001).

Ben’s stage management credits include Catch Me If You Can,SeverelyQueer (Blackboard Theatre Collective), Sweet Charity,Ragtime (NASDA), SongsforaNewWorld (So Keen Productions), TheFather, and TheAppletonLadies’Potato Race, and he served as assistant stage manager on Hudson & Halls Live! (The Court Theatre). His directing credits include TimeMachine,CrashBash,Disney’sFrozenJR., and assistant director on Next to Normal (The Court Theatre), and The IsolationMixtape (Blackboard Theatre Collective).

Ben is on the board of Equity New Zealand.

Nick

Purdie

Tom Snout/Understudy

Shakespeare and Brother Jeremiah

Nick is a graduate of WPAC (Diploma in Singing / BAppA Performing Arts, Musical Theatre). His previous Court Theatre credits include BloodBrothers,MaryPoppins,LegallyBlondetheMusical, JerseyBoys,NexttoNormal,SomethingRotten!,EveryBrilliant Thing, and most recently is the director of the 2024 junior show Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. Other notable credits include Onstage Swing in The Sound of Music (West End Palladium International Tour), Bert in MaryPoppins (Invercargill Musical Theatre), JerseyBoys (NZ Tour), TwilightRobbery (York Stage, UK), Sister Act (Showbiz Christchurch and Invercargill Musical Theatre), AltarBoyz (Fortune Theatre), Corny Collins in the New Zealand Premiere of Hairspray (Wellington Musical Theatre), Underscore_, and GardensMagic (WITCH Music Theatre). Nick was the Associate Director for both New Zealand and Australian tours of the Selladoor Worldwide production of Madagascar the Musical. Off stage, Nick is an Associate Producer for global theatre producers, GMG Productions.

Nick is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Olly Humphries Snug/Understudy Shylock and Lord Clapham

Olly is a 2014 graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (Bachelor of Performing Arts). His previous Court Theatre credits include Chicago,Titus Andronicus,LegallyBlondetheMusical, and MaryPoppins. His other theatre credits include KinkyBoots (Showbiz Christchurch and G&T Productions), Shrek the Musical (Showcase Entertainment Group), BeautyandtheBeastthe Pantomime (GMG Productions), LadieswhoBrunch,DropDead Gorgeous,SirensoftheSilverScreen,Let’sHearitfortheGirls! (Les Femmes), TheIncredibleandGloriousWorldAccordingto theFitzroys (Glass Ceiling Arts Collective), Priscilla,Queenof the Desert (Showbiz Christchurch), JackflashandtheJumping Beanstalk, and TheImportanceofBeingEarnest (New Zealand Playhouse).

Olly is a member of Equity New Zealand, and a proudly trained secondary school teacher. In 2024 he started his new role at NASDA (ARA) as a dance tutor and is excited to pass on his love of musical theatre to the next generation of performers.

Jack Marshall Peter/Understudy Nostradamus

Jack has been performing professionally around New Zealand since graduating from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2013. Amongst numerous previous Court Theatre credits, his

favourites include RomeoandJuliet,Macbeth,LegallyBlonde theMusical,Chicago,JesusChristSuperstar, and most recently JerseyBoys. His other theatre credits include Phantom of the Opera,Spamalot,LesMisérables (Showbiz Christchurch), and Catch Me If You Can (Blackboard Theatre Collective).

When he isn’t performing, Jack can be found selling houses all over Christchurch for Harcourts Holmwood.

Jack is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Jared Pallesen Robin/Minstrel

Jared was recently seen on the Court Theatre stage in RENT (ensemble/ understudy Angel).

Their other theatre credits include Cringeworthy:Swinginginthe60s (Circa Theatre - Pōneke), the NZ Arena Tour of StarlightExpress (The Really Useful Group/ The Stetson Group), Boq in Wicked (Willoughby Theatre Company - Sydney), Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Willoughby Theatre Company - Sydney), Leaf Coneybear in The 25th AnnualPutnamCountySpellingBee (Theatre & CompanySydney), and Tobias Ragg in SweeneyTodd (WITCH Music Theatre - Pōneke).

Film and television credits include Freaky,TimeTrackers, and SecondHandWedding.

Jared is also a freelance graphic designer and digital artist, clients include Theatre & Company, Hugo Grrrl, and The Tīwhas!. Jared would like to thank his dance teacher, Deborah Hale, and voice teacher Jane Keller.

Jared is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Bryn Monk

Francis/Understudy Nigel and Minstrel

Bryn is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing & Dramatic Art (Bachelor of Performing Arts).

Originally from Dunedin, he has featured in DKCM Ltd & Taieri Musical’s Grease:TheArenaSpectacular Live and Fortune Theatre’s Into The Woods. His NASDA credits include 42nd Street as Billy Lawlor, Curtains,It’sOnlyLife, Urinetown as Bobby Strong and HolidayInn as Ted Hanover.

Bryn’s other theatre credits include Christ,WhataNight! (Little Andromeda), SeverelyQueer:TimeForTea (Blackboard Theatre Collective), MadagascartheMusical NZ & Australian Tour, BeautyandtheBeast - The Pantomime (GMG Productions NZ), Shrek the Musical Riyadh Tour (Showcase Entertainment Group), and Wonderland Glow Show as a Puppeteer (Glow Show Company). Bryn has toured Aotearoa for the past two years performing Rumpelstiltskin and TheEmperor’sNew Clothes (New Zealand Playhouse), and recently played an Angel in KinkyBoots (Showbiz Christchurch).

Jackson Lam Sheung Yorrick

Jackson (Ngāti Porou) is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) where he gained a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre).

Previous to this he spent a year at Hagley Theatre Company. This is Jackson’s second show with The Court Theatre, his previous credit being TeKuiametePungawerewere. Some of his other theatre credits include Treasure Island (NZ Playhouse), MerryandBright,SeverelyQueer:It’saPiratesLife (Blackboard Theatre Collective), TheDrowsyChaperone,The25thAnnual PutnamCountySpellingBee,ILoveYou,You’rePerfect,Now Change (NASDA), and We Will Still Go On (Asian Waves Productions).

Jackson is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Eve Kelly Lyford Ensemble/Understudy Bea

Eve was born and raised in Whakatāne and has been heavily involved in the Theatre and Music scene from the young age of 5 years old.

Eve’s theatre performance credits include Production Vocalist on PrincessCruiseLines,NZABBATributeTour, and Sophie in the DancingQueenDininginExperience.

Eve has been very active in the live music scene for the past couple of years, performing regularly around the North and South Island, releasing her own original music and putting on her own shows under the artist name “Eve Kelly”.

SomethingRotten! is Eve’s first show with The Court Theatre, as well as it being a while since she has done some theatre, so she is very excited to get back into it – for a second time!

Lucy Sutcliffe Ensemble/Understudy Portia

Lucy graduated from The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre).

Her previous Court Theatre credits include Next to Normal and SomethingRotten!. Her other theatre credits include MadagascartheMusical - Australia and New Zealand Tours, Cinderella (GMG Productions), Bigger,Better,Brighter, and Time For Tech (Echelon Productions), 42nd Street as Peggy Sawyer, HolidayInn as Linda Mason, Urinetown, and Curtains (NASDA).

In 2019, Lucy won the New Zealand Dance Awards Pro/Am Music Theatre Award and was awarded a scholarship to train at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

Lucy is a proud member of Equity New Zealand and UK.

Jacqueline Doherty Ensemble

Jacqueline has trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York (Summer Conservatory) and at the Christchurch International Musical Theatre Summer School (Emerging Professionals programme). SomethingRotten! was Jacqueline’s debut performance at The Court Theatre, and she is delighted to be back for the return season. Her other theatre credits include The Bechdel Test (Blackboard Theatre Collective), That BloodyWoman,LesMisérables,BroadwayHitmen (Showbiz Christchurch), Reefer Madness, and SpringAwakening (MUSOC). Jacqueline is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Tiahli Martyn Ensemble

Tiahli is thrilled to be performing in SomethingRotten! once again. Her previous credits in New Zealand include LittleShopofHorrors (The Court Theatre), TheBestExoticMarigoldHotel (Stetson Group), BeautyandtheBeast (GMG Productions), Parade (Bravi Theatre), and Spamalot (Selwyn Arts Theatre), alongside Aladdin (Everyman Theatre), Apasionadas, and En Route (Morea Performing Arts) in England.

She is also a passionate choreographer, with credits including School of Rock, and Priscilla,QueenoftheDesert (Selwyn Arts Theatre). Tiahli graduated from Morea Performing Arts in the United Kingdom with a Diploma in Dance and Performing Arts, and The University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science conjoint degree in French, Spanish and Psychology. She also has a keen interest in Sports Science, particularly in the way it relates to dance, and is currently completing her Personal Training Certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Tiahli is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Charlotte Taylor Ensemble

Charlotte is delighted to return to her hometown for the Ryman Healthcare Return Season of SomethingRotten! She is currently based in Florence, Italy, where she recently graduated with her Masters in Opera from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music. Charlotte also has her ATCL and Bachelor of Music from the University of Canterbury. Charlotte has performed in a wide range of musical theatre and operatic productions in New Zealand and Italy.

Her previous Court Theatre credits include Jesus Christ Superstar and The Mikado. Her other theatre credits include OmaggioaEnnioMorricone (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino), IlBarbierediSiviglia,Tosca,Carmen,MadamaButterfly,La Bohème (New Zealand Opera), BechdelTest,Momentsfrom theEdge (Blackboard Theatre Co.), Wicked,SisterAct, and PhantomoftheOpera (Christchurch Showbiz).

Sarah Clare Judd Ensemble

Sarah (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a 2023 graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (Bachelor of Music Theatre).

Sarah is thrilled to be returning to SomethingRotten! for round two of her first Court Theatre show. Since the first run of SomethingRotten!, she toured the Ugly Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth. Other previous theatre credits include Into the Woods (Ovation Musical Theatre), Company,TheBacchae, and Chicago (NASDA), ALittleNight Music (Enchanting Productions), A Collection of Noises (Sparrow and Boyle Productions), and Shortland Street the Musical (Centrepoint Theatre).

Outside of theatre Sarah teaches pole dancing and was runner up in the New Zealand Amateur Pole Performers Expert category in 2022.

Sarah is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Ethan Chittock Ensemble

Ethan is a 2023 graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (Bachelor of Music Theatre).

This is Ethan’s first appearance in a production with The Court Theatre, and he feels very excited and appreciative that he has been given the opportunity to join The Court Theatre for their production of SomethingRotten! Ethan’s most recent theatre credits include Chicago,The Bacchae, and most recently Company (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art).

SomethingRotten! is Ethan’s first experience within the world of professional theatre which he is very thrilled about. He is also very excited to learn from so many talented and experienced performers on this show.

Jack Duff Swing

Jack is a 2019 graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Theatre). Whilst there he was the grateful recipient of The Ron Freedom Memorial Award and The Grace Marion Wilson Trust. His theatre credits include Skimbleshanks in Cats (RCCL), Mike in StrangerSings!A MusicalParody (Salty Theatre), and Phantom/Swing in The RockyHorrorShow (John X Presents).

Kira Josephson Swing

Kira is from the USA, where she attended the Orange County School of the Arts and received her BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College.

Kira is a proud member of Equity New Zealand, and serves as Secretary of the Equity Board, and is represented by KR Actors. She is currently appearing as Bec in Season 2 of Kid Sister on TVNZ. She also plays Jane in PowerRangersDinoFury [Season 28/29] and PowerRangersCosmicFury [Season 30], and appeared in the horror film M3GAN.

Her Court Theatre credits include DanceNation,TheGirlonthe Train,LittleShopofHorrors,LegallyBlonde, and Chicago. Other stage credits include Singin’intheRain,9to5,WhiteChristmas, TheWeddingSinger,Urinetown,Wicked, and Les Misérables

Based in Melbourne, Jack is thrilled to be returning home to perform at The Court Theatre. He would like to thank The Court Theatre for this opportunity, his agents Dior and Karen, and of course his family for their constant love and support.

Dan Williams Set Designer

THE CREATIVES

Daniel graduated with a degree in Performance Design from Massey University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2006. His theatre career has seen him design sets and costumes for work all over New Zealand and internationally.

He won the 2013 Q Theatre Auckland Newcomer Award at the Auckland Theatre Awards and has been nominated multiple times at the Wellington Theatre Awards, including winning Weta Workshop Set Designer of the Year in 2008.

Designs include work for Circa Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre, Fortune Theatre, Downstage Theatre, Silo Theatre, The Court Theatre and Auckland Theatre Company. Daniel was the Associate Show Director of the 2017 World of Wearable Arts Awards show and spent most of 2019 and 2020 art directing large-scale events like SummerintheSquare and film production design.

Daniel recently designed the set for LittleShopofHorrors,Once, and Girl on the Train at The Court Theatre. You can check out more of his work at danielwilliamsdesign.com.

Tina Hutchison-Thomas Costume Designer & Manager

Over the last 25+ years, 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 oftheGym,Snap!,WhentheRainStopsFalling,Ache,Plum, StagWeekend,Shepherd,RomeoandJuliet,ExittheKing, BadjellytheWitch,Macbeth,TheStreaker,TheCuriousIncident oftheDoginTheNight-Time,TitusAndronicus,Ideation,Mum’s Choir, and RENT.

Her other recent costume design work includes Madagascar the Musical (Showcase Entertainment), Paradise Rumour (Black Grace), The Gala (Luxor Events), Pooh Bear Live (International Theatre Productions), BeautyandtheBeast and Cinderella (GMG Productions), Barber and Bernstein Double Bill and Suor Angelica (Toi Toi Opera), Sweet Adelines International – Waikato Rivertones and AMidsummerNight’sDream (The Barden Party). She was the Costume Coordinator/Standby for We Were Dangerous, a recent locally made feature film with Piki Island

Tina is a multi-award winner in the international competition World of Wearable Art, including the New Zealand Design Award in 2018 and third place in the Mythology section in 2019.

Julian Southgate Properties Manager

Julian has designed numerous Court Theatre sets including BabylonHeights, YearoftheRat,SkinTight,Baghdad,Baby!, Blackbird,KissoftheSpiderwoman,The Tutor,HeartbreakHouse,Angels,The PerfumedGarden,SidebySidebySondheim,MuchAdo AboutNothing,PacificPost,TheWomen,Amadeus,Endofthe Rainbow,TheHoundoftheBaskervilles,Plum,LeSud,Romeo andJuliet,ExittheKing,IntheNextRoom,orthevibratorplay, HedwigandtheAngryInch,TheWindintheWillows, and A Streetcar Named Desire.

His other stage set designs include Cats,Josephandthe AmazingTechnicolourDreamcoat (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.

Darren McKane Lighting Designer and Operator (The Light Site)

Darren is one of the busiest lighting operators in Christchurch with a career spanning many years and is a regular at The Court Theatre, operating every Christmas season since 2000. Darren also works extensively as a lighting operator throughout Christchurch for other companies and as the electrical service technician for The Light Site Ltd.

Darren currently works at The Light Site and has worked on an incredible list of shows for many different companies. Darren’s Court Theatre credits include KissMeKate,MyFairLady,The SoundofMusic,AnythingGoes,TheSeagull,Cabaret,Side bySidebySondheim,RENT,TheWindintheWillows,Jersey Boys,Chicago,JesusChristSuperstar,LegallyBlonde,Mary Poppins, and Grease. His other theatre credits include MyFair Lady,Matilda,MissSaigon,LesMisérables,WeWillRockYou, Wicked,SisterAct,Priscilla,QueenoftheDesert, and Mamma Mia! (Showbiz).

Giles Tanner

Assistant Lighting Designer

Giles is a graduate of Hagley Theatre Company (Diploma in Performing Arts), where he concentrated on technical production, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Canterbury.

Currently Head Technician at The Court Theatre, Giles has worked on more than 50 Court Theatre productions including Amadeus,WhentheRainStopsFalling,Constellations,Educating Rita,Waiora:TeUKaiPo-TheHomeland,TheEvents,Venus inFur,TitusAndronicus,IntheNextRoom,orthevibratorplay, StephenKing’sMisery,HedwigandtheAngryInch,Once,The WindintheWillows,AStreetcarNamedDesire,TheGirlonthe Train,SenseandSensibility,DanceNation, and AgathaChristie’s MurderontheOrientExpress

Giles was one of 2023’s The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Out of the Limelight Awards, recognising dedicated theatre practitioners in Aotearoa.

Glen Ruske Sound Designer (BounceNZ)

BounceNZ has a strong relationship with and are a proud sponsor of The Court Theatre. The combination of live performance and excellence in sound production is a winning partnership.

BounceNZ is a professional sound production and hire company with branches in both Christchurch and Auckland. Since the early 1980s BounceNZ has been supplying superior sound for orchestras, theatre shows, and corporate events. They are sought after worldwide and their talented staff have toured with numerous professional and amateur theatre companies, orchestras, and international artists throughout the world. They have designed and operated sound for productions as diverse as TheRockyHorrorShow in Singapore, Maui,Beauty andtheBeast,LesMisérables,Cats,MissSaigon,Joseph,My FairLady,42ndStreet, and Grease to name a few.

BounceNZ are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of another show with The Court Theatre.

Louise Topping Stage Manager

Louise studied Stage Management at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Walberswick,Stovepipe).

Her UK Theatre credits include There CameaGypsyRiding (Almeida Theatre), The39Steps (Criterion Theatre), The BFG (National Tour), Sh*t-M*x (Piccadilly Studios) and Resident Stage Manager at The Bush Theatre (Wrecks, 50WaystoLeaveYourLover…atChristmas,ICaughtCrabsin

Her Australian Theatre credits include Tales from the Vienna Woods,WaikikiHip, and The Vertical Hour (Sydney Theatre Company).

Louise has also worked extensively in Television Production, including PlanetEarthLive,AnimalPlanet,Live‘n’Deadly, Deadly360,FoodandDrink,TheOneShow,SportRelief (BBC), Dickinson’s Real Deal (RDF Television), Pobol-y-Cwm (BBC Wales), LiveWell,BetterHomesandGardens (Seven Network, Australia), StyletheNationwithGok (Ensemble Australia), and most recently as Production Manager for Flashworks Media (NZ).

Haydon Dickie Assistant Stage Manager

Haydon is both a stage and screen creative. His screen credits include Mr Savant (Actor, Winning Film - Somedays Stories Film Challenge 2019), Truth.exe (Actor/Crew, Official Selection: Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, Sci Fi Film Festival (Sydney), Monthly FinalistChanging Face International Film Festival, Winner - Best Student Film, Miami International SciFi Film Festival), and The Bostrom Scenario (Producer/Actor, 2024 International Film Festival Circuit, feature film based on Truth.exe).

Haydon was a member of The Court Youth Company 2019/2020. His performance credits with the company include The QuarantineDiaries,Brainstorm,Boudica, and Jekyll&Hyde

Recently, Haydon has pursued a more behind the scenes path. His stage management credits include RENT,Appropriate, NextToNormal,TheHakaPartyIncident,SomethingRotten!, (Assistant Stage Manager), TheMarriageofFigaro (Chorus ASM), Boys,TheUnauthorizedBiographyof...,Cinderella,42nd Street, and FairyStories (Stage Manager) to name a few. Haydon is also a playwright with two published works, Reminisce (2022) and Tell Me Where To Start (2024).

Rebekah Head

Assistant Stage Manager and Dresser

Rebekah is an actor, singer, writer and puppeteer who grew up in Waitākere. She is a graduate of NASDA (BPA).

Her previous Court Theatre credits include CopsandRobbers, TheLittleMermaid,TheUglyDuckling,SenseandSensibility, Cinderella,TheLostSock, and puppet construction for Disney’s Frozen JR.

Other theatre credits include BeautyandtheBeast-The Pantomime (GMG Productions), Wicked (Showbiz Christchurch, NPOS, IMT), Shrek the Musical (Showcase Entertainment), Toys, TheFlightBeforeChristmas (Little Andromeda), Peter and the Wolf (SILO Theatre/Singapore International Festival of Arts), TheIsolationMixtape (Blackboard Theatre Collective) and the Australian tour of Disney’sWinniethePooh:TheNewMusical StageAdaptation (Rockefeller/TEG Life Like Touring).

Screen credits include Sweet Tooth (Pilot), Custard’s World (HEIHEI/TVNZ+), Jono and Ben (MediaWorks), and What Now (Whitebait Media). Rebekah has worked as a Props Coordinator and Floor Manager for Whitebait Media working on What Now and Brain Busters.

She is a co-founder of Tusk Puppets. She is currently working on puppet construction for She Kills Monsters which will be on at The Court Theatre in August.

Rebekah is a proud member of Equity New Zealand.

Eve Curzon Sound Operator

Eve has recently emigrated from the UK where she has been working in London for the last 15 years. She has worked on numerous West End shows and UK tours including Les Misérables,PhantomoftheOpera,MissSaigon, and School of Rock.

She is looking forward to getting stuck into life and work in New Zealand.

Zoe Buckland Wig Specialist

Having been in the hairdressing industry for 18 years and makeup artistry for 12, Zoe has branched out into all aspects of the professions. Wigs are her passion project, and she also has experience with hair and makeup in all aspects of salon hairdressing, teaching, runway, editorial, theatre and film including SFX and body painting.

Currently Zoe is a full time Team Leader at Yoobee Colleges for the Film and Foundation Learning faculties which includes Makeup Artistry. She also owns a wig business where she customises wigs for clients with multiple hair loss disorders including chemotherapy clients. She has assisted with the wig maintenance on multiple Court Theatre shows over the years including SteelMagnolias,HedwigandtheAngryInch, and Les LiaisonsDangereuses, as well as multiple Showbiz shows.

When Tina approached Zoe to do the wig design for Something Rotten! she was hooked once she saw the colour palette and vision of what was going to be achieved.

Due to a busy workload Zoe could only commit as long as she got some help with show maintenance. The team were lucky enough that Patrice Hammond agreed to come on board to make sure we keep up wig continuity for the full season. Zoe is thrilled to have been part of team and has had a lot of fun creating the wigs.

Bradley Grainger Bass

Bradley is a graduate of Ara Music Arts School (Bachelor of Music). Bradley has been involved in multiple shows with The Court Theatre, including RENT and LittleShopof Horrors. His other theatre credits include TheDrowsy Chaperone,ILoveYou,You’rePerfect,NowChange,HolidayInn (NASDA), HeSaysSheSays, and OrSoTheySay (Blackboard Theatre) amongst others.

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 las ocal bands such as Mundi, Yurt Party and Symposium. He has performed in festivals throughout NZ 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.

Mike Ferrar Guitar

Mike is a graduate of the Ara Institute of Canterbury (Bachelor of Musical Arts). His previous Court Theatre credits include Grease,BloodBrothers,Jesus ChristSuperstar, and JerseyBoys. His other theatre credits include MammaMia!,Hairspray,Evita, Priscilla,QueenoftheDesert, and We Will Rock You (Showbiz Christchurch).

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

Zakary Williams Drums

Zakary is a graduate of the ARA Institute of Canterbury Music Arts degree (Bachelor of Musical Arts). He is thrilled to be joining the band again for the Ryman Healthcare Return Season of SomethingRotten!. His other theatre credits include KinkyBoots (Showbiz Christchurch), Godspell,MeandMyGirl,Company, Grease,Chicago (NASDA), and As You Like It (Third Bear).

Zakary is a Christchurch based drummer and percussionist with experience in a wide variety of musical styles.

He can regularly be found performing with local musicians or leading his own jazz ensemble, and has also worked with a number of Christchurch theatre groups in shows and cabarets. Outside of performing, Zakary teaches drums in schools around Christchurch.

INTERVIEW WITH THE COSTUME DESIGNER

TINA HU TCH ISON- THOMAS

What’s unique about SomethingRotten!costumes?

Elizabethan/Shakespearean is a time period we rarely costume nowadays. I reached out to The Pop Up Globe team in Auckland, and have been able to hire some of their exceptional costumes. This is something we don’t normally do, but due to the large volume of costumes it would have been impossible to make everything from scratch.

What inspired you?

The design process begins with questions. What’s our budget? What stock have we available? How much time do we have to make costumes? Who are our characters? What world do they live in?

Once those things have been discussed and finalised, the fun part can commence! I went into the costume department and spent hours looking at fabrics, trims, stock items and creating colour palettes for the next meeting.

How did the idea start?

During my first discussion with Ben (Director), he spoke about the set being designed in 2D and black and white. The decision to go bold colour was an easy one. By keeping the period shapes “of the era”, we can create a world of fun and colour. That's the beauty of a show like this: we can create the world we want.

What

challenges did you face along the way?

There are always challenges with a show of this size. Dance boots for 23 cast members was just one. We had to source them from overseas, plan for them to arrive in time for rehearsing, and then hope they all fit.

Thanks to...

I am very fortunate to have a highly skilled tight knit team who ‘make the magic happen’. I wouldn’t want to do this job without them.

What is the final number of costumes used in this show?

I stopped counting at 400 costume pieces…there are approx. 127 costumed characters. I really wanted to use as much material and fabric stock from The Court Theatre costume dept supply. There are some wonderful fabrics that were well overdue for an airing. This is the basis of the design journey…

The finishing touches...

This show has many elements - corsets, oversized skirts, jerkins, doublets, breeches, cod pieces, ruffs, dance boots, tap shoes, gaiters, and hats to name a few. The hair and make up are an important part of the era, and I have a specialist team to help get the wigs and hair to look right and maintain that look throughout the season.

ABOUT THE SET DESIGN

DAN WILLIAMS

I’ve always been a fan of black and white inky drawings, painterly and gestural, seeing the artist’s hand and stroke of the brush is integral to the storytelling behind the set concept for Something Rotten!. Inherently, the show deals with the idea of writing, or if you will, the creation of art itself. I wanted the design to reflect that same notion of putting a quill to paper and scribbling down your ideas just like Shakespeare had done thousands of times before. Our choice of making the entire set black and white reflects that notion directly, supported by the props being 2D, we have created a world where the simple idea of a line drawing can imbue that object with dimension and reality.

Perspective was invented during the Renaissance period so I was very interested in having that strongly used within the style of the drawings, playing with angles, depth and distortion. Visually, the monochromatic set language complements

Tina’s (Costume Designer) bold and colourful costume design, also giving Darren (Lighting

Designer) room to explore with tone in the lighting, by restricting colour in one design element means we can push it in the others.

Welcome to the ‘Renaissance’, as simply set out in the opening number of the show, the audience are transported back in time to London 1595 - a time of Tudor architecture, renowned painters and of course The Globe Theatre. I wanted to honour all environments as much as we could, taking the easy route of setting everything in one location was something we really didn’t want to do. The show jumps between a barrage of eight different locations across 22 scenes including a magical dream sequence, exterior of a park, London back alley streets and The Globe. We use several large scale scenic props on wheeled bases to support these transitions, trees, windmill and barrels just to name a few again painted to look 3D but are in fact 2D cut outs, this design decision has majorly helped with all the backstage traffic and space management.

One of the biggest challenges with this musical is how to stage it without a fly tower. The Court Theatre’s mainstage is extremely wide and doesn’t have the capabilities to fly scenery in and out from the ceiling, everything must come in from the sides. This restricts backdrop sizes and impinges on the backstage space especially when there is a live band to consider. Another difficulty is the music itself, it’s so specific in time that tricky scene changes must happen within the score, as you will see some are very quick.

This is where I came up with the ‘Magic Box’ concept. I spent a bit of time researching how other companies have tackled this same issue, creating a central structure that can transform like a picture book simply taking us from one

environment to the next with the turn of a page worked well for us. Having it on wheels and fully mobile allows it to travel off stage into the wings creating room for large choreographic numbers and moments for us to change props within it away from audience view. We liked the idea of using flat curtains to help jump us from place to place, three full scale 2D printed curtains anchor us in the overall visual aesthetic, hand drawn, splattery and inky they quickly move us between scenes and allow some fun reveals when we want to surprise and delight the audience.

I hope this little insight into the concepts behind our production adds to your experience of SomethingRotten!.