Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas on tour around the small halls of Waiheke Island.

Like all good ideas, the concept for staging Under Milk Wood is stolen; I saw the play done by Auckland Theatre Company in October last year and set about planning from there. We are staging it in a 1953 recording studio in period costume, and allowing our ensemble to use their scripts...which they love! We have chosen to take this to small halls around the Island where the staging will be very effective.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas on tour around the small halls of Waiheke Island.

Like all good ideas, the concept for staging Under Milk Wood is stolen; I saw the play done by Auckland Theatre Company in October last year and set about planning from there. We are staging it in a 1953 recording studio in period costume, and allowing our ensemble to use their scripts...which they love! We have chosen to take this to small halls around the Island where the staging will be very effective.

I would just like your Web-Site Community to know that our small Theatre Company, Festival Players, in conjunction with Festival Orchestra, are staging an elaborate stage-reading of this classic radio play. We are a Waiheke Island-based venture aiming to bring good drama to small, interesting venues, and donating all profits to a local charity.

We have borrowed the talents of Christine Jarman (ex-Shortland Street and Gloss) as our Director. We also have John Brown (also ex-Gloss), Chris Bailey (Performance Poet and Visual Artist and currently featuring on a t.v. advertisement for Cadbury Chocolate!). Our other six
actors are, Robert and Brenda Vale, Robin Kirkham, Alistair Babbage, and myself, Fiona Macbride.

We chose "Under Milk Wood" because its subject matter is a small, gossipy community by the sea, peopled by ribald and funny characters....not unlike Waiheke Island itself! It is also relatively easy to stage.

We are sponsored by a very generous Creative Communities Grant through Auckland City Council whose generosity has made staging this production in local venues, much easier for us and has given us the confidence to embark on this venture.

Most of Waiheke's halls were built pot-war and have a lovely
ambience.Our performance dates are as follows:

"Under Milk Wood 2005"

Oct. 8th. 7-30 pm Rocky Bay Hall
Oct. 9th 4pm Onetangi hall
Oct. 12th Waiheke High School 3-30pm (Gold Coin Entry)
Oct. 15th. Artworks Theatre 2pm
Oct. 15th. Artworks Theatre 7-30 pm

Tickets are $15/$20 available from Fiona Mac Bride at 09 372 3353 or as door sales- Check the Artworks Theatre website too www.artworks.co.nz.

Preview night for media is Tuesday 29th Oct. Contact Fiona Macbride 09 372 3353 for complimentary Ferry Tickets and pick-up from wharf.

Please don't hesitate to contact me for further information.

Many thanks,

Fiona Macbride

Production Manager
UMW 2005

FESTIVAL PLAYERS
Production Manager
UMW 2005
09 372 3353
40 Tiri View Rd
Palm Beach
Waiheke Island