Sick of the same old Christmas show banter? Wanna see how fancy actors end up in Levin? Ever wondered what goes into the opening night of a Christmas show about an opening night? We got some errrm 'answers' from the cast and crew of The Opening Night Before Christmas. 

This year's Basement Theatre annual fundraiser is from writers Tom Sainsbury and Chris Parker, director Sam Snedden and actors Kura Forrester, Brynley Stent and Byron Coll. Each night they are joined by a revolving guest cast of famous faces from stage and screen including Amanda Billing, Olivia Tennet, Nic Sampson, Jackie van Beek, Kimberley Crossman, Morgana O'Reilly, Fasitua Amosa, Laura Daniel, Jaquie Brown, Jarod Rawiri, Harry McNaughton and more.

Tell us about The Opening Night Before Christmas and your role.

Sam Snedden: I’m directing 

Tom Sainsbury: I play Glenn Innes the Stage Manager of the Levin Santa Show 

Kura Forrester: I play Rosa-Lynne Martin-Shanks, the writer director and overall visionary of the new Christmas show

How do you make a Christmas theatre show?

Sam: The script was written by Tom and Chris Parker in advance and then we have workshopped it in the room and brought in the improv elements. We have been making changes and little edits almost every day in rehearsals. We have not been shy about changing things and having Tom in the room has meant we have been doing that with impunity.

Tom: Sorry Chris…

What’s your best and worst Christmas show story?

Sam: Last year on opening night the drains were backing up and there was water running through the venue, and the plumber was about to drill a hole in the floor when we fixed the problem. It was a plastic takeaway container blocking the drain in the culvert outside. They were the most expensive takeaways the Basement’s ever had. 

Tom: Chris Parker as Tilda Swinton in the Basement Christmas Carol. Utter genius. 

Kura: It’s my first one! 

How’s your opening night for The Opening Night looking?

Sam: Actually great, the show is extremely funny and that’s down to the writing and the cast who have been coming up with genius regularly

What are the chances of the cast busting out ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas?’

Sam: Nil. 

Tom:70-80%

Kura: Yep I agree with Tom, you’re not the boss Sam. 

How far do Auckland actors have to fall before landing in Levin? How big are you in Levin? Why Levin? 

Sam: I think the idea of setting it in Levin is mostly about how it can feel to be stuck somewhere. The restriction that the characters feel is what drives them and the comedy, they see this show as a chance to break out of their everyday lives. Kura has been on TV so my guess is that she’s pretty big in Levin.
 
Kura: Massive. 

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative sector?

Sam: Learn something about business, it means people can’t rip you off. 

Tom: Be tenacious. 

Kura: Do heaps of different things, it keeps you sharp and interested. 

What’s your big idea for 2017?

Sam: That Bon Jovi will survive 2016 

Tom: God I hope so.

Kura: My money is on that he’s dead by mid-December, the reaper in 2016 has no chill at all. 

• The Opening Night Before Christmas is on 06 – 22 December at The Basement Theatre as part of it's Christmas Feast.

The Basement Theatre’s Christmas show is an annual fundraiser for one of Auckland’s supporters of youth and emerging works. Over the years, the funds made from the shows has: put air conditioning into the theatre, improved the dressing rooms, allowed soundproofing of the main theatre space, helped to renovate the foyer, put in a toilet and shower for the actors upstairs, build the dressing rooms in the first place (including removing rotten carpet and polishing all the floors upstairs). They’re not sure on the exact money raised but it's going to be north of $150K over the seven shows to date.