Naval romp
It’s New Zealand’s naval history but not as we know it.
The theatrical and comedic talents of Gregory Cooper and Mark Hadlow, who together devised the uproariously funny MAMIL (Middle Aged Men in Lycra), have been at work again. Who else could be charged with bringing to life The Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Who else would dare?
To mark the Navy’s 75-year anniversary two plays exploring its history are touring the country , including New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace Theatre, September 8-9, 10am, 1pm and 7pm (Saturday show TBC).
Director Mark Hadlow said the tour was about celebrating the navy’s anniversary in an accessible way which the whole country could take part in.
‘‘We wanted something to reach out to the whole of New Zealand, ‘‘ he said.
Gregory Cooper wrote the two plays. The first is a free pantomime called Commander Claire and the Pirates of Provence, aimed at primary school students.
It includes plenty of audience participation, puppetry, songs and cardboard ships.
The plot follows the navy’s courageous Commander Claire who protects New Zealand from the attack of infamous French Pirate Captain Langlois and his rooster Napoleon.
The second is a sketch and skitbased production, called the Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy Abridged for a general audience.
It provides a look through the navy’s history, from the arrival of Captain Cook in 1769 to protecting trades routes against piracy around the Horn of Africa in 2015.
The cast were all professional actors contracted to the Navy, rather than existing officers.
‘‘I want people to go to live theatre, ‘‘ Hadlow said. ‘‘Theses [shows] are about us as a country and who we are as a people.’’