Circa helps celebrate women’s voices
This month at Circa is all about hearing the voices of New Zealand’s talented women in theatre.
The WTF! Women’s Theatre Festival, to be hosted at Circa Theatre from Saturday until March 26, aims to celebrate women in the industry.
Co-ordinator Salesi Le’ota says the festival is important because women are still under-represented compared with men.
He says it is always surprising to see how few roles there are for women.
‘‘It’s wrapped up in that acronym WTF. Because even when there’s a Women’s Theatre Festival, and that’s a celebratory thing, quite often when theatre companies release their programmes ... you just look at the under-representation of women and WTF is a common thing that springs to mind.’’
A Playmarket survey of New Zealand plays in Creative New Zealand recurrently funded theatres reveals that between 2011 and 2015, of the 361 professional theatre productions, 22 per cent were created by New Zealand women writers.
Similar festivals are happening all over the world, Le’ota says. ‘‘It’s about providing a platform for those people who might not otherwise get one.’’
The festival features something to interest everyone, including play readings, workshops and panels.
It showcases shows Man Parts, Miss Jean Batten, Hens’ Teeth and the New Zealand premiere of Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone.
Le’ota says he is looking forward to the play readings, because many have never had a production.
‘‘These are seven plays that have not been seen in Wellington by great New Zealand writers, just being read live.’’
He says women will often write and create shows themselves, as they struggle to find writing, acting or directing roles.
Alex Ellis, actress and producer of Miss Jean Batten, says the festival is a perfect fit for the show.
Part of the reason the show was written was to help people remember a woman who was beginning to be forgotten, she says.
‘‘I think in every facet of life women’s voices can be lost a little bit.’’
The month opens on Saturday with Conchus Simmit, a one-day collaborative event with Pacific theatre company The Conch.
Bats Theatre is also presenting Writes for Women, a short series of play readings from leading New Zealand women playwrights.
Following 2016’s hugely successful Women in Theatre Hui, a second conference will be hosted at Whitireia on March 11.
For a full schedule and tickets visit circa.co.nz/wtf