Theatre buff reveals life behind lights
A theatre stage was once a fear for Patricia Robinson but now she thrives on it.
It was 24-years ago when the Tokoroa resident performed her first two lines in front of a crowded audience
The bubbly woman who is loud and proud about her theatrical life said she was a shy person once upon a time.
‘‘For this incredibly shy person to get up and perform it was hard but I felt open and safe,’’ she said.
At 15 the former Aucklander joined a small Papakura theatre group.
It did not take her long to reveal her talents.
‘‘On opening night I didn’t even think about it.’’
Her voice is as loud as her personality which is also reflected in her choice of clothing.
And she brought it all with her to the South Waikato seven years ago.
Robinson said she could not stay away from theatre and joined her first South Waikato production, Zombied.
Though she resides in Tokoroa the choice of Putaruru came down to her brother’s demand.
‘‘ He said to me theatre’,’’ she said.
‘ Tok Little is my
It would not have stopped her but she decided Putaruru theatre was the place to be.
Since her arrival Robinson has taken part in more than 20 shows.
But the one that sticks with her is the Anzac show performed this year.
It was the first time she was elected to sing a solo.
Of all songs, she got landed with never cried so much in my life by 1940’s singer Gracie Fields.
‘‘I watched it and I sat there and said ‘oh my god I couldn’t do it justice how Gracie did’,’’ she said.
But that is all a part of the theatre life, according to Robinson.
One of the most unique parts of a theatre group is the relationships you form, she said.
Through all the hours of preparation and practice, there is always fun to be had.
‘‘The last night is the craziest because that’s when all the pranks come out,’’ she said.
‘‘[But] you never did something so elaborate that the audience would know.’’
Despite her experience Robinson said you never know what is behind the curtain.
Bring on another 24 years, she said.
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