New theatre company bringing Broadway home
Christchurch theatre-goers could be strolling the back alleys of Broadway thanks to the city’s newest theatre company.
Blackboard Theatre Collective is the brainchild of a group of Christchurch-based musical thespians, who launch their one-night-only first show He Says, She Says at The Court Theatre on Sunday.
Co-director Ben Freeth said the main aim of the collective was to ‘‘create work for emerging artists’’ and bring musicals to Christchurch that might otherwise be missed.
‘‘We do have a great theatre industry here for the big shows, but there is not a lot of opportunity for young writers, directors and producers to have a go,’’ Freeth said.
‘‘We need to foster the industry somewhere, and are hoping to be the place to foster that creativity and talent.’’
The 25-year-old is one of five co-directors of Blackboard, namely Jack Marshall, Jeremy Hinman, Nick Purdie and Nomi Cohen. All but Purdie were graduates of Christchurch-based National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA).
Freeth said they hoped to bring ‘off Broadway’ musicals to Christchurch. ‘‘They usually have smaller casts, with music closer to pop.
‘‘They’re often extremely intelligent and probably more relatable to the younger generation,’’ Freeth said.
He Says, She Says isa compilation of 40 artists from a range of performing arts groups, each singing songs originally sung by the opposite sex. All performers volunteered their time to the show.
‘‘The Court Theatre has donated their main stage for the show, as well as stage managers to help us out.
‘‘Showbiz has offered us rehearsal space for free as well. There really is a sense that people in the industry here want us to do what we are doing,’’ Freeth said.
Their second show Catch Me If You Can was a musical adaptation of the well-known film and book, taking to The Piano stage, on Armagh St, on August 24.