A play about a famous madam performed at an infamous Auckland strip club? Renee Liang asks Ben Crowder about stretching theatrical boundaries.

* * *

A labour of love for over 20 years, Elisabeth Easther’s play Famous Flora delves into the life and times of Flora Mckenzie, a famous Auckland madam at a time when prostitution was illegal.  The play will be performed at The White House – with patrons invited to stay and watch the ‘regular show’ afterwards.  Renee Liang interviews director Ben Crowder.

How long have you known Elisabeth?

I’m unsure! I think I first came across her – certainly by name when I came back from Melbourne in 1998 to direct the outdoor Shakespeare for the following year – my memory says she was in the one previous, playing Aufidius in Corrianalus.

What drew you to the play?

Initially Elisabeth came and talked to me about three years back – I was aware the play had been kicking about in various forms for a while – I remember once being in the next door room where it was being workshopped perhaps a dozen years back. So other than the central character of Flora Mackenzie, I was also drawn to the fact that Elisabeth had the determination to keep pushing something she believed in. Also at this stage she was looking to go into some further development and was open to collaborating on how the play may evolve. As a director who is also a maker of theatre this sort of opportunity excites and brims with potential for me. Also I think when she mentioned The White House as a venue, that rather struck a chord.

What do you find intriguing about Flora's story?

The more I have read about Flora the more she has attracted to me. She is a good old fashioned character – brave, extraordinary, funny and also determined to be herself. Also the fact that she came from Auckland society and chose this path on the fringes fascinates me. She also is a big colourful part of Auckland’s history – a time when it would seem there were some truly bold people bucking the conservative values to be found. Also that there are still many people who have associations with her who are still alive – and all have anecdotes to share. Some of the stories I have heard contradict each other which kind of makes her mythical – and also allows us to invent a little too.
 
Is the White House one of the most unique venues you've ever played at, in your weird and illustrious career? Can you divulge any of its peculiarities (as a theatre venue?)

The White House is great – it is a beautiful building – the old Theosophical Society I believe. So yes it is a little odd working in a room that has weight bearing poles, a set of storm trooper costumes in the wings and a hydraulic lift in the stage. The people who run in have been incredibly generous and supportive – they are in many ways much more yes people than one finds in other venues in the city that have litanies of rules and regulations… There have been a few odd moments – we have been fortunate enough to rehearse there – but in our first week we discovered there was a clash as some of the White House performers were heading to New Caledonia on tour and needed to rehearse at the same time – needless to say it is a challenge to concentration…. However as the Flora story is steeped in a culture of women entertaining men to a fashion I think the crossover of the two worlds is an excellent thing.

How do you transform the White House into a stage?
 
There is a little proscenium arch stage in the building – and also a catwalk. In many way the space is alike a found space – as it has beautiful architecture with a certain opulence that seems to fit with the world of Flora. The play has evolved so that we are in Flora’s top floor parlour all the time – we are currently looking at expanding out and using the whole room at times as an extension of this. Flora had quite a distinct aesthetic – very influenced by an Asian style of furnishing. I have read that she had heavily carved dining room table and chairs all reflective of ‘The Orient’ - think a Bordello in the style of Shanghai Lil’s. I am currently talking to the designer about dressing and styling the place in this mode _ I have a scheduled meeting with Dan Williams who is doing the design straight after I finish this!
 
How do you create the two time periods of the play?

This is done through the writing – but also through the luxury of having two actors playing Flora in her two ages – the younger one by Kate Elliot and the older one by Yvetter Parsons. am also trying to give the 40s a real exuberant quality – while the 70s is in decline – the glamour has seeped away. We also will be using some lighting shifts and sound cues to delineate the scenes and their respective eras.

Can you tell us about the music?

The music is currently under creation – we are working with John Gibson on this – we are looking at creating music of the period – but also the characters in the 40’s have a quality of performing parlour songs and such – so this is in the mix – we are also looking at the cast playing instruments to add to this bohemian atmosphere – there will also be recorded music and sound score.

Tell us about your cast - lots of familiar names...will we be surprised?

As mentioned we have Kate Elliot and Yvette Parsons portraying the two Floras. They are ably supported by Kip Chapman, Jess Sayer, Fraser Brown, Kevin Keys and Joseph Wycoff. The cast is great – and all bring a distinct quality to the ensemble – it feels like a very rich team.
 
Audience members are invited to stay on for the White House's regular show. Do you think they'll be in the mood, after the play?

I think they may well want to stay – have a drink and experience some of what is on offer – The White House seems to deliver quite a theatrical turn on things – also the audience, if this is not their normal territory, will feel included and curiosity is a wonderful thing.

What are you working on next?

Immediately after this I am workshopping a project with The Dust Palace for a couple of weeks. I am also building up to a production of Te Po that has been written by Carl Bland – this has fortunately been funded and is the new Theatre Stampede and Nightsong Productions collaboration.

Here's the link to buy tickets - go on you know you want to

If you want to follow us on twitter try @FloraFamous
And if you want to befriend us on facebook - this should do the trick facebook.com/famousflora
And i promise no more mass mail outs till the next play!

Famous Flora - at The White house
Sex sells and Flora Mackenzie sold sex - the true story of New Zealand’s most notorious madam
Starring: Kate Elliot, Yvette Parsons, Kip Chapman, Fraser Brown, Kevin Keys, Jess Sayer and Joseph Wycoff.

Opens November 13 at The White House, 371 Queen St, Auckland.
Runs Monday to Saturday, 6.30 pm each night, November 13-29, 2014 (excludes Sundays)